The demand for processed food products shows an increasing trend over the recent past years. Imports of such processed products shows a similar increase while local production of processed products is still below current demand. This implies that there is an opportunity to venture in the processing of food products. Transforming primary agricultural produce requires know-how and some amount of technology. This can be done either on small scale or on large measures to meet demands on local markets.

The Government has established a policy to boost up agro entrepreneurship so as to reduce dependency on imported process food products. In this endeavour, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) has set up an additional agro-processing unit at Mapou Model Farm to support interested entrepreneurs. The main thrust of this unit is to promote agro-processing through value addition to primary products as well to minimise wastages along the value chain.

In this context, the Mapou agro processing unit was launched by the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security on Saturday 18 September 2021 at the seat of Mapou Model Farm of FAREI. The Minister, during his speech, mentioned that prospective agro processors should take benefit of the unit to enhance their skills and get acquainted with latest technologies, processing equipment and norms through effective training and technology transfer. He also indicated that, besides engaging on a commercial level, processing can also be done at household level using home appliances.

On the same occasion, the Minister remitted vouchers on household gardening and handed over training certificates on tomato freezing techniques to new potential agro-processors. An exhibition was held at the same time to expose a wide range of value-added processed fruit, vegetables and dairy products.