Agro-based industries are those industries that use agricultural produce as their raw materials. These industries can be involved in the processing, manufacturing, and production of goods and services that are derived from agricultural produce. Examples of agro-based industries include sugar mills, paper mills, and distilleries.
The agro-industrial complex is a term used to identify the combination of several sectors of the economy that provide mass production of food and consumer goods. It encompasses regular farming and agriculture, as well as other industries like forestry and fishing. The agro-based industries include four main fields of interest:
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Agriculture: This is the basis of the agro-industrial industries and includes horticulture, animal husbandry, industrial farming, and individual farming.
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Supporting industries and services: These industries provide support to agriculture by means of production and material resources such as manufacturing of farming equipment, including agricultural machinery, as well as tools, production of fertilizers, and other chemicals, including pesticides.
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Industries that process agricultural basic goods: These industries process agricultural produce into finished goods, such as the food industry or industries that produce textiles.
Agro-based industries have the potential to provide employment for the rural population not only in farming but also in off-farm activities such as handling, packaging, and transportation of agricultural produce.
