As a result there is often an outcry, particularly from growers, for the government to buy horticultural produce at fixed prices. Whenever schemes like this have been introduced growers have responded by expanding production. They do this because government prices guarantee profitable, risk-free production which bears no relation to demand. Large volumes of produce are wasted. These schemes are a great drain on government resources which could be spent better elsewhere, for example by stimulating local demand or developing new markets.
Horticultural processing requires expensive investment in machinery.
It is crucial to make optimum use of the equipment and minimize idle time. Successful plants have to have a guaranteed supply of raw material and must produce products for which there is a demand. Food processors enter into contracts with growers to ensure that supply is evenly extended over the longest possible supply season. It is often felt that mechanized grading will improve the quality of produce. Grading never improves quality, it merely separates qualities.