Rising incomes and increased urbanization alter the composition of food demand. Consumers demand more diverse and higher-quality diets that can positively influence their health as well as meet their increasingly diverse taste preferences. Development of food and agricultural industries pivots on the ability to develop and produce high quality products demanded by a market. Introduction of new products to a market or introduction of current/ adapted products to new markets create employment within all aspects of the processing sector and increase returns to the producers of primary agricultural products.

The promotion of agro-enterprises can provide a catalytic force in poverty reduction, both directly and indirectly by:

• reducing food costs and supply uncertainties and improving the diets of the rural and urban poor;
• generating growth, increasing and diversifying income, and providing widespread employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in both rural and urban areas; and,
• inducing productivity gains by smallholder farmers and integrating them into local, national and international markets.

FAO advocates and supports the development of food and agricultural processors in order to enhance economic growth within member countries.

Forthcoming publication: September 2009
Agro-industries for Development
C. A. da Silva, D. Baker and A. W. Shepherd, FAO, Italy,
S. Miranda-da-Cruz and C. Jenane, UNIDO, Austria

The development of competitive agro-industries is crucial for creating employment and income opportunities as well as enhancing the quality of and demand for farm products. Agro-industries can have a real effect on international development by increasing economic growth and reducing poverty in both rural and urban areas of developing countries. However, in order to avoid adverse effects to vulnerable countries and people, sound policies and strategies for fostering agro-industries are needed.

Agro-industries for Development highlights the current status and future course for agro-industries and brings attention to the contributions this sector can make to international development. The book includes contributions from agro-industry specialists, academic experts and UN technical agencies, chapters address the strategies and actions required for improving agro-industrial competitiveness in ways that can create income, generate employment and fight poverty in the developing world.

This book is a co-publication with FAO, UNIDO and IFAD.

Audience: Agricultural and international development policy-makers, agro-industry specialists, agribusiness managers and researchers in agricultural economics and related topics.

For more information contact: AGS-Registry@fao.org