FAO promotes technologies for the processing of non-food agricultural products in member countries. Our interventions seek to diversify options for small-scale producers and maximize the potentials of the abundant raw materials found in developing countries. A holistic approach is taken which incorporates consideration for costs, energy supply, waste management, finished product quality and the infrastructural base.

Processing of Residues, By-Products and Wastes:

An important aspect of agricultural industry development which offers immense opportunities for employment and income generation is the processing and utilization of residues, by-products and wastes produced in processing operations further upstream in the value chain. The service has prepared several documents covering this aspect.

The bulletin Small-Scale Cane Sugar Processing and Residue Utilization discusses industrial uses of bagasse, the residue obtained from cane sugar processing.

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AGS-registry@fao.org

Large quantities of lignocellulosic residues such as rice straw and corn stover are obtained during field operations. The document Rural Use of Lignocellulosic Residues discusses further processing and utilization of these residues in rural areas.

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AGS-registry@fao.org

Two other documents, Economics of Animal By-Products Utilization and Handbook of Rural Technology for the Processing of Animal By-Product, treat the processing of bye-products obtained from animal industries.

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AGS-registry@fao.org

Miscellaneous non-food Agricultural Materials:

Processing technologies for a variety of other non-food agricultural materials are also covered by the work of the Service.

For a bulletin on Processing of Natural Rubber a copy can be requested here

AGS-registry@fao.org

The document Hides and Skins for the Tanning Industry covers removal, processing, grading and marketing of animal hides and skins.

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AGS-registry@fao.org

A recently published technical report entitled Production and Processing of Small Seeds for Birds explores income generation opportunities from processing and marketing of seeds for making feed for pet birds.

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