Opportunities for Commercialization and Enterprise Development of Indigenous Fruits in Southern Africa - Indigenous Fruit Trees in the Tropics: Domestication, Utilization and Commercialization - page 270

14.6 Conclusions

Indigenous fruit commercialization activities are still in their infancy in southern
Africa. Fresh fruits are being traded and many households process fruits.
Commercial companies are also processing fruit products with limited success,
but there are many problems along the supply and processing chains. Bad
harvesting, packaging and transport activities decrease the shelf life of
indigenous fruits dramatically and lead to spoilage and waste. Fruit markets
lack the necessary infrastructure and support systems to function optimally.
Processing technology is outdated and product quality is low. Commercial
processors are experiencing problems related to government support and
technology information.
Commercial fruit processing is, however, one of the few comparative
advantages that rural economies have. If numerous commercialization ventures
were implemented across the region, then impacts would not only improve the
incomes of the participating households, but community level economies
would be improved as local spending increased. Accelerated local trading (or
local economic development) is beneficial in the same way that import
substitution is beneficial at a national level. Increased local trading contributes
to increased circulation of monies within rural communities, limiting the
'export' of capital to urban centres. The greater the number of times that
monies are circulated at the rural level, the greater the benefits for local society.
Partnerships and networks between communities, farmers and commercial
organizations should be encouraged. Through such partnerships and networks,
the communities and farmers could benefit from expertise and already
developed markets. So, for example, could the collectors and processors of fruit
products benefit from linkages with organic and fair trade organizations that
could assist them in selling their products into these lucrative markets. The
commercial organizations could benefit through improved supply chains and
access to raw materials. Successful fruit product trading could be a significant
contributor to rural welfare in the region.

References

Akinnifesi, F.K., Kwesiga, F., Mhango, J.,
Chilanga, T., Mkonda, A., Kadu, C.A.C.,
Kadzere, I., Mithöfer, D., Saka, J.D.K.,
Sileshi, G., Ramadhani, T. and Dhliwayo,
P. (2006) Towards the development of
miombo frit trees as commercial tree crops
in southern Africa. Forests, Trees and
Livelihoods 16, 103-121.
de Kock, C. (2004) World food trends and
marketing strategies . Presentation at the
World Agroforestry Centre Regional
Training Course on Agroforestry Marketing
and Enterprise Development Support.

31 May to 4 June 2004, Commonwealth
Youth Centre, Lusaka, Zambia.
Fox, F.W. and Norwood Young, M.E.N. (1982)
Food from the Veld: Edible Wild Plants of
Southern Africa Botanically Identified and
Described . Delta Books, Craighall, South
Africa, 422 pp.
Ham, C. and Akinnifesi, F. (2004) Priority
Fruit Species and Products for Tree
Domestication and Commercialization in
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania .
Research Report of the World Agroforestry
Centre and CPWild Research Alliance,