Developing agroindustrial capabilities to exploit domestic and international market opportunities

The paper centered on a number of points, incluiding the formulation of strategies to promote agroindustrial development, keeping in maind the fact that models for changing national food systems work over the medium and long term. Also mentioned was the fact that it is often possible to penetrate and effectively exploit export markets, thanks, primarily, to the creation of a greater capacity to serve domestic markets and their growing demands. In addition, government policies can have a substantial impact on seven basic areas: infrastructure, credit availability, information systems, limitations on importing indispensable imputs, price control, research and training. Finally, the document recommends that the development of agriculture and export markets be based on serious feasibility studies, and that private sector initiatives should result in solid commitments with the public sector. (MIBA)