Study Findings

The AP sector is diversified in terms of product, industry size, and market type. The agro-food processing industry has been exclusively selected for further investigation based on the kick-off discussions and consultation with industry associations since, this industry employs a sizable number of people and makes significant contributions to the economy.The agro food processing industry has been divided into four sub sectors to be individually analyzed in the following section.

A. Meat Processing

Employment Scenario in the Meat Processing Sector:  The global halal meat processing industry, valued at $802 billion in 2021, is expected to reach $1,657.44 billion by 2030, driven by increased demand for safe and reliable food. With this projected expansion, this sector has the potential of creating significant employment opportunities in the global market. Leading exporters include Brazil, Australia (New Zealand), and India, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt also playing key roles.

Halal law mandates that only Muslim men can slaughter animals for their meat to be considered halal, resulting in a demand for Muslim labor in these countries. New Zealand, for instance, faces a persistent shortage of halal butchers, partly due to its small Muslim population. So there is a notable demand for training and certification in advanced butchering skills, especially for those aiming to work in countries like Europe and Australia.

In the domestic market, Bengal Meat is the primary producer in the ruminant meat industry in Bangladesh, employing around 700 workers. Other organizations, like Dutch Dairy & Quality Feeds, are planning to establish meat processing plants, and projects like the “Rural Micro Enterprise Transformation Project (RMTP)” funded by PKSF and IFAD aim to create value chains for high-value agricultural products, including ruminant meat and poultry, resulting in the creation of 2,000-3,000 employment opportunities in the meat processing industry in the next 2-3 years.

Skill requirements and training dynamics:  The meat processing industry requires physically fit workers with technical skills but no specific education.  Physical fitness is crucial due to the need to work in low-temperature environments (8 to 10 degrees) for meat preservation. Biosecurity is a priority in white meat processing, leading to restricted living conditions for workers to prevent germ spread, resulting in a high turnover rate. Ruminant meat roles favor males, while white meat roles are suitable for females.

Although there is a training module by BTEB for Poultry and Meat Processing at different  NTVQF levels, no training programs have been launched. Currently, there are no Training Service Providers (TSPs) offering training in this sector. Bengal Meat provides on-the-job training but only to its recruited employees, leaving a demand for training among overseas applicants unmet.

B. Seafood processing

Employment Scenario in Fish and Shrimp Processing Sector: Due to the temporary or permanent closure of many fish processing companies in Khulna, Satkhira, and Chattogram zones, a stark decline was observed in the current workforce in the fish processing industry. Nearly 50% of the companies faced closure during and after-COVID period which resulted in rapid shrinkage of the labor force.

Skill Requirements and Training Dynamics: Fish processing industry skills encompass technical (machine operation and quality control) and non-technical (manual processing) skills. Machine operators typically require diplomas or experience.Non-technical workers are recruited without prior formal skills, receiving on-the-job training through department supervisors for 5-7 days, acquiring cross-sectional skills. 

In the fish processing sector, about 75% of workers are female, mainly engaged in tasks like quality checking, packaging, and labeling in the cold storage department. In Khulna, non-technical workers are often recruited via third-party recruiters, meeting urgent demand for skilled labor.

C. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG – Food and Beverages)

Employment scenario in consumer-packaged goods: In the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) sector, manufacturing processes can be divided into three categories:

• Pre-processing: Involves sourcing and inputting raw ingredients into machines and containers, often employing day laborers on a temporary basis to meet seasonal demand.
• Processing: Encompasses operating various machines like filling, shaping, and ovens. Companies provide brief training to new machine operators, and they may also hire specialized electricians to maintain and repair machinery, usually requiring a diploma.
• Packaging: The final product is packaged in containers or boxes for transportation, often relying on contractual workers, with additional hires based on seasonal demand.

D. Dairy Products

Employment scenario in Dairy Products: In the Dairy Products sector, the workforce is primarily engaged in cleaning, packaging, storing, and related tasks. Some work as lab assistants at milk collection points, responsible for quality testing and milk preparation. Roughly 300 people are employed in these roles, mostly with SSC qualifications. The production line requires technical expertise, often filled by individuals with diplomas.

In the ice cream industry, seasonal recruitment is common, especially in warehouse management during the summer. A leading company with approximately 500 employees includes long-term staff (100-150) and temporary workers (300-350) primarily engaged in ice cream packaging for shipment.

Lab assistants at milk collection points are mainly male, while in factories, males are preferred for machine operations and maintenance, whereas females are typically found in the packaging section.