One of the most significant sectors in Africa and the economic backbone of many African nations is agriculture. It has made a large economic contribution to the continent and provides the bulk of the population with their primary source of income and means of subsistence. Despite having abundant agricultural resources, Africa nevertheless struggles with widespread food insecurity. Farmers in rural regions also face a number of difficulties, such as insufficient infrastructure, limited access to markets, and inadequate storage facilities. As a result, a significant proportion of agricultural produce is wasted or lost, resulting in reduced income for farmers and decreased food security. However, One of the reasons for this is the inability to harness and preserve agricultural produce from rural areas and boost local farmers’ profit in Africa.
AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA
INFRASTRUCTURE
The first step towards harnessing and preserving agricultural produce from rural areas is to invest in infrastructure. Good roads, reliable transportation systems, and efficient storage facilities are essential for transporting and preserving agricultural produce. In many rural areas in Africa, poor road networks and a lack of reliable transportation systems often lead to significant post-harvest losses. According to the African Development Bank, post-harvest losses in Africa can range from 20% to 50% due to poor infrastructure. Therefore, investing in infrastructure can significantly reduce post-harvest losses, increase the shelf life of agricultural produce, and boost local farmers’ profit margins.
Modern Technologies
Another way to harness and preserve agricultural produce from rural areas is to promote the use of modern technologies. Technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Africa, from improving crop yields to reducing post-harvest losses. For example, cold storage facilities can significantly improve the shelf life of perishable goods, such as fruits and vegetables. Solar-powered irrigation systems can help farmers access to water even in areas with low rainfall. Additionally, mobile applications that provide real-time market information can help farmers make informed decisions about when and where to sell their produce, thus increasing their profit margins.
In addition, by investing in infrastructure and technology, governments and other stakeholders can also promote value addition. Value addition involves adding value to raw agricultural produce through processing, packaging, and branding. This can significantly increase the shelf life of agricultural produce and make it more appealing to consumers. For example, cassava, a staple food in many parts of Africa, can be processed into flour, chips, and other products, thus increasing its shelf life and creating new markets for farmers.
Value-Addition
Value addition is one-way farmers can increase their profit margins. By processing agricultural produce into products with a higher market value. One way of harnessing agricultural produce is to increase its value by processing it into products that have a longer shelf life and higher market value. For example, instead of selling fresh tomatoes, they can be processed into tomato paste and increase their value by up to five times, with a longer shelf life, and can be sold at a higher price. Similarly, cassava can be processed into flour, which can be used to make a variety of food products, including bread, cakes, and biscuits.
Processing Tools
Processing Farm Produce is a Means to Harness and Preserve Agric Products And Boost Their Profit Margin
Farmers require access to the right processing tools, such as grinders, mills, and drying machines, in order to take advantage of agricultural produce. Farmers can receive assistance from governments and non-governmental organizations by being given the tools and training they need to use them efficiently. For instance, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria has created a cassava processing device that small-scale farmers can use to turn cassava root into flour.
Agricultural food must be preserved to avoid spoiling before being sold or consumed. Drying, canning, and freezing are a few methods for preserving agricultural produce. The best approach, nevertheless, will vary depending on the product, the environment, and the resources at hand.
Drying is one of the oldest methods of preserving agricultural produce and can be done using the sun or a dryer. In areas with high temperatures and low humidity, sun drying is an effective method of preserving fruits and vegetables. For example, in Tanzania, the government has established a solar dryer centre that can be used by farmers to dry fruits and vegetables. Similarly, in Ghana, the Savanna Agriculture Research Institute (SARI) has developed a low-cost solar dryer that can be used to dry mangoes, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables.
DRYING IS A MEANS OF PRESERVING FOOD PRODUCT
Canning is another method of preserving agricultural produce and involves heating the product to high temperatures in airtight containers. This kills any bacteria that may cause spoilage and extends the shelf life of the product. Canning is particularly suitable for fruits and vegetables that cannot be dried or frozen. However, it requires specialized equipment and can be expensive. In Kenya, the government has established a canning factory in Machakos County that processes fruits and vegetables into canned products.
Another technique for preserving agricultural products is freezing, which entails keeping the products at very low temperatures. Fruits and vegetables that cannot be dried or canned are especially ideal for this. However, it requires access to electricity and specialized equipment, such as freezers. In Nigeria, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has established a post-harvest processing and storage center that includes a cold room for storing perishable crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and leafy vegetables.
Moreover, governments and other stakeholders can promote exports of agricultural produce from rural areas. The export market provides a significant opportunity for African farmers to increase their profit margins by accessing international markets. According to the International Trade Centre, exports of agricultural products from Africa increased from $10.5 billion in 2001 to $43.2 billion in 2019. However, many African countries still face significant challenges in accessing international markets due to inadequate infrastructure, poor quality control, and lack of market information. By having access to local and regional markets, farmers can sell their produce at a higher price.
To overcome these challenges, governments and other stakeholders can invest in market intelligence and develop strategies to increase exports of agricultural produce. This can involve developing and implementing quality control standards and certification processes, building relationships with international buyers, and investing in transportation and logistics infrastructure.
Harnessing and preserving agricultural produce from rural areas is critical to improving food security and increasing the profit margins of local farmers in Africa hence local farmers can take advantage of that to increase their profit margins and contribute to their local economies’ growth. To achieve this, it is essential to invest in infrastructure, promote the use of modern technologies, promote value addition, and promote exports. I this is attended to, African countries can unlock the full potential of their agricultural resources and improve the livelihoods of millions of people across the continent thereby ensuring proper food security for the massive population of the beautiful continent, Africa.
How to Harness And Preserve Agric Produce From Rural Areas and Boost Local Farmer’s Profit Margin In Africa
