Value Chain Dynamics and the Small-Scale Sector: A Summary of Findings and Policy Recommendations for Fisheries and Aquaculture Trade

The majority of small-holder pig farmers in Mpumalanga had between 1- and 10-sow herds. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the current government agricultural intervention (supply of 10 sows and a boar) in terms of technical and economic feasibilities and ascertain whether the small-scale pig value chain system alleviates poverty. Data were obtained from 220 randomly selected small-holder pig farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed that 58% farrowed ≤ 10 piglets/born/sow/litter, 44.2% practiced no weaning method and many fed swill and leftovers alone (41.6%). Pair-wise association revealed that the feeding of commercial feeds had a relationship with pigs in relatively good to very good body condition. Pigs in poor body condition were positively correlated with the feeding of swill alone. The economic models for the 10-sow unit proved that pig farming is unprofitable if the current management and feeding systems that operate in the commercial industry are utilised. However, only through a combination of cooperative systems, benefits of economies of scale, reduction of preweaning mortalities and structured government inputs can pig production be profitable at this scale of production.Keywords: piglets; market; profit; economics; feeds

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De-commoditizing Ethiopian coffees after the establishment of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange: an empirical investigation of smallholder coffee producers in Ethiopia

International Food and Agribusiness Management Review ◽

10.22434/ifamr2018.0047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 499-518

Author(s):

Tinsae Demise Handino ◽

Marijke D’Haese ◽

Freaw Demise ◽

Misginaw Tamirat

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Household Income ◽

Small Scale ◽

Sustainable Livelihood ◽

Commodity Exchange ◽

Propensity Score Model ◽

Southwestern Ethiopia ◽

Score Model ◽

Sustainable Livelihood Approach ◽

The Impact

The repercussions of reforming an agricultural market are mainly observed at the most vulnerable segment of the value chain, namely, the producers. In the current commodity market created with trade through the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX), coffee is less traceable to its producers. Only cooperatives that sell certified coffee through the unions they belong to, are allowed to bypass the more commodified ECX market. This study aims to investigate if small-scale coffee producers in southwestern Ethiopia that sell coffee through the certified cooperative are better off. It is assumed that the coffee sales through, and membership of, a cooperative, allows farmers to improve their coffee production as well as to improve other aspects of their livelihood. A sustainable livelihood approach was used as the inspiration for the welfare indicators that needed to be considered, data collected amongst members and non-members of certified cooperatives, and a propensity score model to investigate the impact of cooperative membership on the livelihood indicators. Results suggest that members of certified cooperatives indeed receive, on average, better prices. Yet, no evidence was found that indicates that the higher price is translated into better household income. Furthermore, coffee plantation productivity of those members who were interviewed was lower than that of the non-members. This finding could explain the failure to find an overall effect. Since the majority of the producers’ income emanate from coffee, a sustainable way of enhancing the productivity of the coffee could revitalize the welfare of the coffee producers.

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Applying the Best-Fit Framework to Assess and Strengthen National Extension and Advisory Services

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education ◽

10.5191/jiaee.2017.24307 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 80-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kristin Davis ◽

David J. Spielman

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Local Context ◽

Small Scale ◽

Extension Agents ◽

Performance Incentives ◽

Advisory Services ◽

Innovative Solutions ◽

Cross Country ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Best Fit

Agricultural extension and advisory services are critical to supporting technological and institutional changes that can improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in developing countries. However, many extension services are under-resourced, out of date, and need of structural and content changes. However, efforts to systematically strengthen local extension systems often fall into the trap of promoting blueprints that are insufficiently adapted to local context. To that end, researchers developed the best-fit framework in the 2000s to provide impetus for pursuit of more locally-tailored extension solutions. Today, almost a decade later, researchers test the framework under real-world conditions in a cross-country application. This paper examines the application of this framework across six dimensions and seven countries to formulate a set of best-fit recommendations that are also broadly appreciable. The findings show that it is possible to apply the framework to the analysis of EAS across countries while also maintaining a very localized perspective on recommendations. Across the seven countries, certain obvious commonalities exist: The growth in pluralism in extension providers, the persistence of weak incentives for extension agents, and the lack of enabling policies. At the same time, innovative solutions to many of the challenges held in common—ICT-enabled extension, performance incentives, and value-chain oriented extension—are heterogeneous. The framework allows users to pursue change processes in EAS in response to their own local realities.

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The Small-Scale Dairy Value Chain Analysis: Challenges And Opportunities For Dairy Development In Mymensingh District Of Bangladesh

SAARC Journal of Agriculture ◽

10.3329/sja.v17i2.45307 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 213-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H Rahman ◽

FA Happy ◽

AH Efan ◽

MHR Hera

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Primary Data ◽

Easy Access ◽

Small Scale ◽

Value Chain Analysis ◽

Grazing Land ◽

Market Prices ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Chain Map ◽

Small Scale Dairy

This study examined the prevailing dairy value chain based on primary data collected from 70 small-scale milk producers of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. The total cost and net return per month per cow were Tk. 4024.30 and Tk. 3165.70, respectively. The net value additions of Tk. 2091.42, Tk. 495.00, Tk. 655.00, Tk. 503.25, Tk. 309.70 were estimated for milk producers, collectors, Faria, Bepari and retailers respectively. Different actors spent highest marketing cost ranged from Tk.49 to Tk.80 for transportation compared to other marketing functions. Actors mostly dependent on the on-going market prices for setting price of milk in the value chain. A value chain map was developed showing the relationships and linkages among value chain actors of small-scale dairy. The study identified some critical factors for successful dairy marketing. The factors were understanding consumer behaviour, technology and transportation, improved business relationships, reduced transaction costs, and improved information flow, and organized market structure. Milk producer’s share in consumers’ price was highest for channel- I followed by channel- V. Expensive, inadequate, low quality feed, lack of grazing land, green grass, inadequate capital, knowledge about cost of production, weak extension services, high fees and unavailability of veterinary doctors, were some of the major problems of milk producers. Supply of adequate feed at subsidized price, ensuring easy access to institutional credit at a lower interest rate, adequate medicine and veterinary services, allocation of khas land for producing fodder/grass, were suggested to solve the problems. SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 213-226 (2019)

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Internet Café Entrepreneurs

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation ◽

10.5367/000000003129574315 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 251-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Stein Kristiansen ◽

Bjørn Furuholt ◽

Fathul Wahid

Keyword(s):

Survey Methodology ◽

Social Groups ◽

Internet Access ◽

Small Scale ◽

The Internet ◽

Policy Recommendations ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Access To Information ◽

Information Gap ◽

Internet Cafes

Internet cafés represent a potential means of bridging the information gap between social groups and geographical areas This study examines the spread of Internet cafés in Indonesia The main objectives are to identify characteristics of Internet café entrepreneurs and to enhance the understanding of preconditions for the provision of Internet access by small-scale private enterprises. A survey methodology is used and the data reveal clear statistical associations between entrepreneurial adaptations, such as connection types and service variety, and success variables. The authors' policy recommendations include government intervention, primarily in infrastructure development and awareness creation, for a more equitable spread of access to information through the Internet.

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Analisis Rantai Nilai Komoditas Kubis (Brassica oleracea L): Studi Kasus di Sentra Produksi Kabupaten Karo

Jurnal Hortikultura ◽

10.21082/jhort.v27n2.2017.p269-278 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 269

Author(s):

Idha Widi Arsanti ◽

Apri Laila Sayekti ◽

Adhitya Marendra Kiloes

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Brassica Oleracea ◽

Foreign Exchange ◽

Value Chain ◽

Significant Contribution ◽

Policy Recommendations ◽

Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽

High Level ◽

Purposive Sample ◽

Brassica Oleracea L

Kabupaten Karo, Sumatera Utara merupakan sentra produksi kubis yang berkontribusi memberikan devisa negara melalui ekspor. Di samping itu, kubis dari Kabupaten Karo memiliki keunggulan dalam karakteristik produknya dibandingkan dari negara lain. Namun demikian, arti penting kubis sebagai penyumbang nilai devisa belum diikuti dengan perlakuan produksi, panen, pascapanen, dan pemasaran yang memenuhi standar ekspor. Pelaku agribisnis di dalam rantai pasar kubis semakin banyak, di mana awalnya petani menjual ke pedagang pengumpul, pedagang besar, dan langsung ke eksportir, namun sekarang terdapat pelaku baru seperti pedagang pengumpul desa, pedagang pengumpul kecamatan, kemudian kubis dijual ke pedagang besar. Hal ini memungkinkan terjadinya inefisiensi margin pemasaran di sepanjang alur pemasaran. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut, perlu dilakukan analisis rantai nilai komoditas kubis Kabupaten Karo untuk melihat keuntungan yang diperoleh setiap pelaku agribisnis kubis. Lebih lanjut dapat diberikan rekomendasi kebijakan untuk meningkatkan efisiensi dan keefektifan rantai pemasaran kubis di Kabupaten Karo. Penelitian dilakukan di Kabupaten Karo melalui wawancara langsung kepada pelaku agribisnis kubis pada tahun 2012. Pemilihan sample dilakukan secara purposive dengan pertimbangan bahwa jumlah pelaku agribisnis kubis tidak terlalu banyak. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekspor kubis mengalami penurunan dari tahun ke tahun, karena lahan pertanian kubis yang semakin sempit. Kubis dengan nilai R/C yang tinggi menunjukkan tingkat keuntungan yang cukup besar. Dalam rantai pemasaran kubis, petani menerima pangsa yang cukup besar, sementara eksportir dengan kapasitas usaha yang besar juga menerima pendapatan yang seimbang. Sebagai implikasi kebijakan, pemerintah dapat memberikan dukungan dalam peningkatan ekspor berupa diseminasi teknologi budidaya untuk meningkatkan produksi serta fasilitasi ekspor baik sarana maupun prasarana pengangkutan dari lahan usahatani hingga pasar ekspor, perijinan ekspor serta bongkar muat di pelabuhan.Karo District, North Sumatera is a production center of cabbages which provides significant contribution of foreign exchange. Moreover, cabbages in Karo have many advantages compare to cabbages from other countries. Nevertheless, these important roles of cabbages have not been followed by standardized exported treatments, not only the production, harvest, postharvest but also the marketing treatment. Agribusiness of cabbages also show inefficiency of the marketing margin. Based on these problems, it is necessary to analyze the value chain of cabbages in Karo, to see the benefit received by each person in agribusiness system. Further, policy recommendations can be given to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cabbage supply chain in Karo District. This research was conducted through interviews people who in charge in cabbage agribusiness in 2012. The purposive sample was done considering that the number people in cabbage agribusiness were not too much. The results showed that cabbage exports, in term of value, decreased from year to year, particularly due to limited land. R/C analysis showed the high level of profit. In this cabbage supply chain, farmers receive considerable share, while the exporters with large business capacity also received a higher income. In order to increase production and export of cabbages, it is recommended that government supports several programs such as increase innovation technologies dissemination, improve infrastructures for export as well as develop the simple administration process.

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CoolBot™ Cool Rooms for Small-Scale Value Chain Systems

10.1201/9781003056607-18 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 211-218

Author(s):

Neeru Dubey

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Small Scale

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