Linking smallholder farmers to commercial markets

Linking smallholder farmers to commercial markets PDF

Author: Ebata, Ayako

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2016-07-01

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13:

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Access to modern commercialization channels is key for smallholder farmers to be able to move away from subsistence farming and overcome poverty. However, achieving that goal is challenging for smallholders given their lack of appropriate managerial practices, production technology and infrastructure. This paper examines the effect of receiving training in two different entrepreneurial practices designed to link farmers to commercial markets: one direct aimed at the individual and farmer-association level and another indirect focused at the community level. We exploit an extensive panel dataset of staple bean farmers in Nicaragua who participated in a program run by a nongovernmental organization between 2007–2012. We find that the two market-linkage training activities had opposite effects on the commercialization of beans, especially on the intensive margin or volume of sales. While receiving direct training on entrepreneurial practices is positively associated with sales in commercial markets, training on municipality engagement (ME) activities is negatively associated. The market-linkage activities mainly affected entrant farmers as opposed to those already participating in commercial markets. We further find varying effects of the ME activities by plot size and leadership position. Additional results show that training activities that appear to work for bean producers do not necessarily work for other crop producers, and vice versa.

Transforming Food Systems for a Rising India

Transforming Food Systems for a Rising India PDF

Author: Prabhu Pingali

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-05-14

Total Pages: 382

ISBN-13: 3030144097

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This open access book examines the interactions between India’s economic development, agricultural production, and nutrition through the lens of a “Food Systems Approach (FSA).” The Indian growth story is a paradoxical one. Despite economic progress over the past two decades, regional inequality, food insecurity and malnutrition problems persist. Simultaneously, recent trends in obesity along with micro-nutrient deficiency portend to a future public health crisis. This book explores various challenges and opportunities to achieve a nutrition-secure future through diversified production systems, improved health and hygiene environment and greater individual capability to access a balanced diet contributing to an increase in overall productivity. The authors bring together the latest data and scientific evidence from the country to map out the current state of food systems and nutrition outcomes. They place India within the context of other developing country experiences and highlight India’s status as an outlier in terms of the persistence of high levels of stunting while following global trends in obesity. This book discusses the policy and institutional interventions needed for promoting a nutrition-sensitive food system and the multi-sectoral strategies needed for simultaneously addressing the triple burden of malnutrition in India.

Linking rural farmers to markets using ICTs

Linking rural farmers to markets using ICTs PDF

Author: Magesa, M.M.

Publisher: CTA

Published: 2015-11-30

Total Pages: 29

ISBN-13:

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Access to markets and marketing information by smallholder farmers depending on agriculture in developing countries have always been challenging. Factors such as poor road infrastructure, illiteracy, financial constraints, poor communication means and lack of access to information, all limited their access to markets. These smallholders depend on traditional means of communication and sell their produce at the farm gate and local markets. This has not been fruitful for these poor farmers as traders, intermediaries and other stakeholders in the chain take a large share of their produce. As a result, rural farmers remain poor and agriculture contributes little to their income, economy and welfare.

Contract Farming for Inclusive Market Access

Contract Farming for Inclusive Market Access PDF

Author: Carlos A. Da Silva

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13:

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This book aims to typify the extent to which contract farming is helping small farmers to access markets and meet increasingly stringent requirements, not only of "modern" food manufacturers, retailers, exporters and food service firms,by also in non-food sectors such as biofuels and forestry. It also seeks to clarify differences in the functionality of contracts depending on commodity, market, technology, public policies and country circumstances. Conceptual issues are discussed and a series of case study appraisals based on real world examples from developing regions are presented. The issuesraised by the case study authors and the key messages synthesized in the initial book chapter bring new insights and contributions to further enrich knowledge on contract farming as a tool for inclusive market access in development countries.

Linking Smallholder Producers to Modern Agri-Food Chains: Case Studies from South Asia, Southeast Asia and China

Linking Smallholder Producers to Modern Agri-Food Chains: Case Studies from South Asia, Southeast Asia and China PDF

Author: Vijay Paul Sharma

Publisher: Allied Publishers

Published: 2013-05-05

Total Pages: 390

ISBN-13: 8184248245

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This publication examines the processes and impact of market restructuring through comparative in-depth empirical case studies in selected Asian countries, namely, China,India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. These countries represent both a broad geographic coverage and a range of stages of market concentration in the region. The country papers address important questions such as what determines the participation of producers in different channels, what is the impact of farmer participation on incomes and what institutional, technological, economic and other reforms are necessary to enhance their effective participation in the emerging and restructuring markets.The case studies attempt to identify major factors that affect smallholder producers’ access to output markets, input markets, e.g. seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, technology and services such as credit, extension, insurance. Each case study has tried to analyse one specific innovation and these innovations are specific arrangements built on public policies, business initiatives, collective/group action by small-scale producers, etc. that appear to have played a positive role in supporting greater inclusion. The studies aim to derive models, strategies and policy principles to guide public and private sector players in promoting greater participation of small-scale producers in dynamic markets.

Small Farmers, Big Change

Small Farmers, Big Change PDF

Author: David Wilson

Publisher: Practical Action Publishing

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781853397127

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This book includes examples of achieving wider change in smallholder agriculture, through influencing policy decisions, linking smallholders to value chains, innovating service provision for small farmers, with an emphasis on promoting equitable livelihoods and developing rural women's economic leadership.