State of the art of small-scale food processing industries in two selected provinces In the Philippines

Abstract

Technological advances have had little effect on some important traditional food processing industries in the Philippines despite a wealth of information generated by both the government and private research agencies, and academic institutions. So far, very little success has been attained in sustained transfer of technology. This report covers the first phase of a study designed to develop a model for transfer of village-level food technologies. Data were gathered through a survey of small-scale food manufacturing establishments in two provinces, namely Batangas and Iloilo, on their production, managerial, financial and marketing operations, as well as attitudes towards changes. Areas and opportunities for the improvement of their technical operation, were identified to relate to quality improvement of existing products, as well as, the need to introduce simple technologies in fruit processing. Experiments on process improvement were undertaken in the laboratory. To complement information gathered from the processing sector, a community survey covering housewives and store owners in an urban locality of the same study sites, was undertaken. Results showed that processed fruit products were among the food items frequently purchased by housewives, as well as children.