An application of the flowchart approach to the agro-food-processing industry cluster in East Asia: The case of the Nacala Corridor Region in Mozambique

Abstract

The model of an agro-food processing industry cluster presented by Kuchiki and Mizobe offers possibilities to compensate the input-output linkage and employment generation. The following four results are obtained. First, the average value of the summation of the effects in forward and backward linkages of the machinery industry is less than and almost the same as that of the food industry, though it has been recognized that agricultural clusters have limited impact of input-output linkage on the generation of employment opportunities. Second, a prototype model of a flowchart approach to the agro-food processing industry cluster is proposed to strengthen the input-output linkage between agriculture and food processing industries. Third, our research data on Mozambique shows that small investment in food processing industry in Nacala Corridor Region generated more employment opportunities than mega mineral mining firms in Mozambique did. Fourth, the agro-food processing cluster policy is formulated to enhance low agricultural incomes that are mainly caused by small-scale farmers and limited markets in African countries.