The Feasibility of Small-scale Indigenous Fruit Processing Enterprises in Southern Africa - Indigenous Fruit Trees in the Tropics: Domestication, Utilization and Commercialization - page 277

15.2.2 Resources and the environment
The assessment of resources and the environment entails investigation into the
availability (in time: seasonality; in space: time needed to find and harvest) of
the raw materials; the regenerative potential and impact of harvesting on
survival of the species; and the impact of harvesting on the environment. A
fundamental concern of market analysis methodology is to identify approaches
to developing products without destroying the resource base. A product will be
considered for development only if its resource base will not suffer as a result of
an increase in the harvesting rate, or if harvesting can be supplemented or
substituted by cultivation. Therefore, it is important to get a clear picture of the
status and quantity of forest resources before starting an enterprise. This can also
be a tool to monitor environmental impact once an enterprise gets under way.
15.2.3 Social and institutional environment
Assessment of the social and institutional environment entails investigation into
the indirect benefits of the project for the community; the contribution of
the project to incomes of the community; the community's experience with the
product; the potential for creating employment; and the gender impact that
the project is bound to have. Social and institutional criteria must be considered
equally as important as the economic, resource management and technical
criteria of a potential enterprise. Potential activities should help, or at least not
harm, the most economically vulnerable members of the community, especially
women and children. The objectives of a social/institutional analysis are to:
1. Gather detailed information about the potential producers. This involves
asking specific questions, e.g. 'To what extent is the target group able to respond
to the marketing activities?' 'Are there external factors that prevent participation?'
2. Assess the direct and indirect potential impacts of the proposed products on
the community in order to design socially sensitive actions and to minimize (or
eliminate) potential negative impacts on women and other vulnerable groups
within the community.
3. Analyse the legal aspects affecting the target group, such as access to
resources and user rights.
4. Investigate sources of capital for small-scale industries and the opportunities
for community members to get access to formal credit.
15.2.4 Science and technology environment
Assessment of the science and technology environment entails investigation into
the suitability of a technology for members of rural target groups, the processing
location and processing technology required, the status of the infrastructure and
the level and availability of human resources/skills and expertise. Some of the
main issues to be addressed regarding the science and technology aspects
related to marketing of the products are the following: