FS to focus on agro-processing potential

Anybody involved in the agriculture sector will be familiar with the term “embrace the value chain”.
But what does this actually mean? A simple way of explaining it, is that it incorporates everything that happens to a product from the time it leaves the farm gate, till the point where the consumer purchases it. This includes things like transport, packaging, marketing and, possibly most importantly, something known as agro-processing.
Agro-processing basically refers to the process through which raw agricultural products (such as maize for example) are transformed into products actually used by consumers (such as maize meal). This applies to everything: from the wool produced by sheep which is eventually processed into wearable clothing, to the wheat that is produced to make flour, and eventually bread.
Government has identified agro-processing as an important industry in terms of promoting economic growth and job creation.
In line with the government focus on the agro-processing industry, the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is hosting an agro-processing summit in Bloemfontein next week (April 11 and 12).
MEC Oupa Khoabane says the summit is aimed at repositioning the province for value adding and processing towards economic transformation and job creation. “This summit is initiated to radically transform the local economy and to share critical issues pertaining to value adding and agro-processing in the Free State.”
One of the topics under discussion will be agro-processing opportunities and challenges in line with national priorities. These include government initiatives such as the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP), the New Growth Path and the National Development Plan.
Delegates will also look into issues such as agri-parks and how these can facilitate local economic development; unlocking the potential of emerging agro-processing famers; funding issues; the creation of black industrialists within the agriculture sector; and an agro-processing strategy for the Free State.
The summit takes place at Pacofs in Bloemfontein on April 11 and 12. Further information is available on the Facebook Page of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. – Sabrina Dean
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