Food processing refers to any alturations other than simply applying food preservation techniques. By alturations, we mean e.g. cutting, peeling, heating/roasting of animal- and plant-based products. We also mean making different products out of a base product. An example is e.g. making bread, cake or beer out of grains, cut (& bagged) vegetables out of vegetables, ...
Agro processing and food processing are very closely related topics which here are looked at as a whole. Generally, the primary processing of a crop once it has been harvested is termed agro processing while subsequent processing and be regarded as food processing. These areas often flow from one to the other.
Advantages and disadvantages
Increase in financial value
Turning agricultural products into other commodities has the potential to provide income generating opportunities that are needed to support the millions of poor families who can no longer support their livelihoods from the land alone and people who have no land to farm.