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Agro-industries provide a primary means of converting raw agricultural materials into value added products, while generating income and employment and contributing to overall economic development. They employ a range of technologies, ranging from very simple technologies such as drying of a single product, to more complex technologies such as the irradiation of formulated products.
The sustainable development of agro-industry is however dependent on the availability of adequate quantities of high quality raw materials. Meeting these requirements, as well as the inadequacy of marketing systems, shortages of trained personnel and a lack of financial resources, however pose a major limitation to the establishment of viable agro-industries in the Region.
In an effort to address these concerns, FAO-RNE's activities include:
§ The provision of technical assistance,
§ Facilitating access to and exchange of information through Regional Networks,
§ Promoting cooperation among research institutions in the Region through the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA),
§ Building institutional capacity in the area of agro-industries.
On the basis of a number of surveys and studies conducted by FAO-RNE in the Region, activities in the area of agro-industries focus on addressing the utilization of agricultural residues, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving methods of food preservation. These activities of which training are implemented primarily through Regional Cooperative Projects, is a major element.
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses and Improving Food Preservation
Food irradiation is an effective technology for reducing post-harvest losses through disinfestations, sprout inhibition and overall shelf-life extension of fresh produce. It is also effective in reducing food-borne diseases through the destruction of pathogenic organisms. FAO-RNE in collaboration with the Joint Division of the FAO/International Atomic Energy Agency, through a "Regional Cooperative Project for Research, Development and Training on the Application of Nuclear Techniques to Food Preservation in the Near East," has been very active in promoting the application of food irradiation for reducing post-harvest losses and improving food preservation. A major outcome of this Project has been the development of harmonized legislation for the use of food irradiation in the Region. The activities and accomplishments of this Project are documented in several reports.
Utilization of Agricultural Residues
An on-going "Regional Cooperative Project for Research, Development and Training on the Utilization of Agricultural Residues in the Near East," focuses on assisting countries of the Region in the development of appropriate technologies for the utilization of agricultural by-products and residues. Activities of this Project to date have included an Expert Consultation on "Prospects of Date-Palm By-Products and Residues Utilization in the Near, East" and conducting a training course in mushroom production.
Utilization of Date Palm
Plans are currently underway for the development of a Regional Date Palm Network in the Near East. Recent activities geared toward development and improvements of date-palm processing in the Region have included a 1999 Workshop on Date Palm Post-Harvest Processing Technology. The FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 101, entitled 'Date Palm Products' is currently available in the Arabic language. (hyperlink to ordering information, or to the publication listing on the AGSI web-site).
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