The food processing
industry is of enormous
signifi cance for
development as it
increases effi ciency and
effectively links nation’s
economy, industry and
agriculture.
attention to analysing the actual and potential opportunities
in agricultural processing, marketing and storage, commonly
referred to as the Food Processing Industry.
The food processing industry operates across various
segments, which generally include fruits and vegetables,
meat and poultry, dairy, marine products, grains and
consumer foods (which includes packaged food, beverages
and packaged drinking water). The food processing industry
is of enormous signifi cance for development as it increases
effi ciency and effectively links nation’s economy, industry
and agriculture. The linking of these three pillars synergises
not only the development process but largely promotes
economic growth (Halde, Nishtala, Annapure, Appaiah, &
Kulkarni, (2013).
Therefore, the question is: what next for the promotion
of the food processing sector? Credit facilities must be
accessible if a successful shift has to occur from production
to processing, preservation, storage and marketing. Training
with a view to increase and enhance farmers’ technical and
marketing skills is another important aspect. The lifespan
or 'shelf life' of most agricultural products after harvesting
is quite short. In fi shing, for instance, the handling of the
catch prior to processing, transporting and selling is very
important. It is essential to use ice to store the fi sh in low
temperatures immediately after it is caught. Sanitation
through the insulation of containers, preservation through
freezing, drying and smoking, all require specifi c skills
and better management. The task is now to improve on the
methods and techniques that are in use in the various stages of
production, processing and consumption. In some instances,
it might be more advantageous and cost effective to operate
more in groups or cooperatives and less as individuals. The
issue of how producers and farmers organise then becomes
an important one. At the individual country level, as well as
at the sub-regional level, integrated planning is prerequisite
for a meaningful transformation of the agricultural sector.
Challenges to propelling the food processing industry
• Nature of African economies and lack of progress in
regional integration;
• Absence or poor state of trade and logistics related
infrastructure;
• Macro policy problems like weak macroeconomic
coordination, multiplicity and inconvertibility of
currencies;
• Other supply-side problems of trade facilitation like
export promotion, ineffi cient customs administration.
The COMESA Secretariat, though, is aware of the
problems and keen to address them; yet, issues of food
and agricultural marketing information remain largely
unaddressed, limiting both intra and extra COMESA trade
and defeating the vision of the Free Trade Area (FTA) in
agriculture. Agricultural Policy is the regional framework
for agricultural development. Hence, the Comprehensive
Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) now
adopted will build capacity for member states to undertake
safe and increased trade in agricultural and food items
within and outside the region, with positive implications
for regional integration, agricultural income generation and
rural livelihoods.
Further, to address these daunting issues, including
youth unemployment, a rational view is that food-processing
industry can best develop through SMEs sector development.
Hence, this marriage of SME sector with food processing
needs to be the priority for COMESA. At present, SME
segments are drawn and COMESA is working on fi ve clusters,
which include agro-processing, footwear, garments, etc.
Noting that development must begin and end with the people,
COMESA• 2018 • 25