Small-Scale Processing and Rural Micro-Industry: Challenges in Post-Harvest Market Access for Farmers

Farm viability depends on much more than what happens in the field.

While we often focus on production and farm management, many of the biggest challenges farmers face are shaped by what happens after harvest: processing, packaging, distribution, and access to markets.

As processing facilities and post-production industries become increasingly consolidated, primary producers are left with fewer options for where and how to sell their products.

Not long ago, much of this work happened on farms or through small-scale enterprises in nearby towns.