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and tree products in the country. Indigenous fruit markets are marked by a lack
of product differentiation, coordination, consumer knowledge and efficiency,
resulting in relatively high costs.
A number of general observations and comments emanated from the feasibility
studies. Given the underdeveloped nature of the indigenous fruit processing sector in
southern Africa, the key to growing viable indigenous fruit processing enterprises
appears to be the empowerment of potential entrepreneurs. The training of these
entrepreneurs could enable them to scale-up their operations and disseminate
information to emerging processors. The feasibility studies that were conducted are
indicative of their potential in southern Africa. Future research to complement these
studies and aimed at building a more sustainable indigenous fruit processing sector
in southern Africa should ideally consider a number of critical areas:
●
The first is to study in greater detail consumer behaviour, needs and
preferences that underpin existing consumption. This would make available
valuable information about product benefits and characteristics that can be
used in future marketing strategies, tactics and positioning.
●
The second critical area is improved product innovation and marketing in
the broadest sense to include market research, marketing strategies, market
information systems and promotions. A key challenge in marketing and
producing less-known commodities is communication and information
exchange with markets. Systems and strategies must be formulated to
improve information flows across all interfaces.
●
The third is to ensure that viable and sustainable indigenous fruit processing
enterprises is a more precisely understood resource environment. Currently
there is some, if limited, understanding of the resource environment (quantity
and quality) in the study sites; but there is a major shortcoming in the
understanding of whether sufficient resources are available to sustainably
supply the processing enterprises with raw materials at the rates that they
require. More precise information would include the dispersion of species,
optimal harvest rates, optimal harvest time, sustainable use practices, plant
improvement and possible domestication and cultivation.
15.7 Conclusions
This chapter has investigated the feasibility of a number of non-wood forest-based
community processing enterprises in three southern African countries. These
feasibility studies were designed and conducted within an
ad hoc
conceptual
framework. Commercial fruit processing is one of the few comparative advantages
that rural communities have. Results showed that the benefits from
commercializing indigenous fruits are potentially significant in terms of improved
livelihoods for local communities. If numerous commercialization ventures were
implemented across the region, the impacts would be an improvement in the
incomes of the participating households, leading to an increase in the community-
level economies as local spending increased. Increased local trading contributes to
increased circulation of monies within rural communities, limiting the 'export' of
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