scholarly journals Value Chains and Diet Quality: A Review of Impact Pathways and Intervention Strategies

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Ridoutt ◽  
Jessica R. Bogard ◽  
Kanar Dizyee ◽  
Lilly Lim-Camacho ◽  
Shalander Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Impact Pathways ◽  
Nutritious Food ◽  
Entry Points

Low and middle-income countries increasingly face a triple burden of malnutrition encompassing undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and excessive energy consumption contributing to overweight and obesity. Food systems are also becoming more complex, supported by investments in food processing and retailing. Traditional approaches addressing hunger, typically based on agricultural development, are deemed insufficient alone to address the problem and attention is now being directed to food value chains, although experience is currently limited. To assess the state of science and identify knowledge gaps, an integrative review of the broad topic of value chains and diet quality was undertaken, with particular focus on interventions and their related impact pathways. Interventions were classified according to their primary orientation: to increase the availability, accessibility, or desirability of nutritious food. We identified 24 separate interventions associated with 10 different impact pathways, demonstrating the numerous entry points and large potential for value chain interventions to influence diet quality. However, case study evidence regarding effectiveness remains scant. Most studies addressed individual nutrient-rich commodities that could address a nutritional deficiency in the community of interest. Rarely was overall diet quality assessed, and future studies could benefit from taking a wider perspective of dietary patterns and food substitutions. The value chain analytical approach was deemed valuable due to its consumer orientation that seeks to understand how food products are used and what motivates their choice. The systems perspective is also important as it considers the roles of actors involved in food production, distribution, marketing, and regulation. However, few studies directly engaged with the subject of the local food environment as the bridge connecting food production and food choice. The challenge is to combat the increasing prevalence of processed foods of low nutritional value through interventions that lead to nutritious food becoming more conveniently available, affordable, and desirable.

scholarly journals Supermarket-Led Development and the Neglect of Traditional Food Value Chains: Reflections on Indonesia’s Agri-Food System Transformation

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Vetter ◽  
Marianne Nylandsted Larsen ◽  
Thilde Bech Bruun
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Food System ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
System Transformation ◽  
Food Retail ◽  
Food Value

The rapid expansion of modern food retail encapsulated in the so-called ‘supermarket revolution’ is often portrayed as a pivotal driving force in the modernization of agri-food systems in the Global South. Based on fieldwork conducted on horticulture value chains in West Java and South Sulawesi, this paper explores this phenomenon and the concerted efforts that government and corporate actors undertake with regard to agri-food value chain interventions and market modernization in Indonesia. The paper argues that after more than 15 years of ‘supermarket revolution’ in Indonesia, traditional food retail appears not to be in complete demise, but rather adaptive and resilient to its modern competitors. The analysis of local manifestations of supermarket-led agricultural development suggests that traditional markets can offer certain advantages for farmers over supermarket-driven value chains. The paper further identifies and discusses two areas that have so far been neglected by research and policymaking and which warrant further investigation: (i) the simultaneous transformations in traditional food value chains and their relation to modern markets, and (ii) the social and environmental performances of modern vis-à-vis traditional food value chains.

scholarly journals Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado ◽  
Kevin Queenan ◽  
Bhavani Shankar ◽  
Barbara Häsler ◽  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
South African ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
The South ◽  
Entry Points

Livestock value chains globally are increasingly dualistic, with integrated market-leaders co-existing with comparatively disadvantaged small producers who, nevertheless, support rural livelihoods and food access, and can also contribute to more resilient supply chains. The South African broiler value chain provides a highly illustrative case study. The purpose of this study is to identify potential leverage points for policy intervention to support small and emerging producers in the South African broiler value chain, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of system dynamics approaches to promote inclusive food value chains. This study develops a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on semi-structured stakeholder interviews and policy documents. The main challenges, key variables and causal relationships between them are systematically identified. Variables are coded, generalised and graphically represented, and entry points for intervention and their links to existing policies are mapped. The challenges faced by smallholders in the context of our study can be characterised, using a CLD, as a set of interlinked and reinforcing dynamics which perpetuate existing disadvantages and reinforce duality in the value chain. Key policy entry points have been identified that could be targeted by a coordinated policy package, including: Direct support for infrastructure investment and input access through grants, subsidies or other policies; credit and liquidity provision for day-to-day expenses; creation of aggregation mechanisms for both inputs and outputs; regulations or initiatives that directly target the relationship of farmers with the commercial segment to improve access to day-old-chicks and, finally, training in business and technical skills. Although most of these interventions have been addressed at some point, implementation has been fragmented, failing to fully consider their complementary nature, thus undermining effectiveness. Existing approaches to consensus building and stakeholder participation in system dynamics research can present challenges when it comes to engaging with complex policy processes and issues of conflict of interest that are relevant in the context of smallholder promotion and equitable food systems, but there are promising avenues for addressing. Despite some methodological challenges, we find that there is considerable scope for system dynamics approaches to inform policy for smallholder promotion, even in contexts characterised by complex policy processes.

scholarly journals The Roles of Farmers in Agricultural Development

2021 ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thu Thuy ◽  
Ma Huyen Nga ◽  
Vu Bach Diep
Keyword(s):  
Capital Market ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Factors Affecting

To study the factors affecting people's participation in the development of agricultural value chains, the research team collected information from 230 samples in some northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam. The article uses the EFA model and Probit model to conduct the analysis. By using the EFA model and the Probit model to assess the factors affecting farmers' participation in the development of the value chain, our findings show factors: income, natural conditions, loan capital, market have a great impact on the level of people's participation. The article has suggested some solutions to improve people's participation in agricultural value chain development.

Sustainability along all value chains: exploring value chain interactions in sustainable food systems.

2019 ◽  
pp. 215-224
Author(s):  
A. M. Loconto ◽  
P. Santacoloma ◽  
R. A. Rodr�guez ◽  
E. Vandecandelaere ◽  
F. Tartanac
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food

scholarly journals Architecture and Urban Agriculture: Merging architecture and a local food system in Wellington, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thomas Zahner
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Urban Setting

<p>Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271).  This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.</p>

scholarly journals Integrating the soybean-maize-chicken value chains to attain nutritious diets in Tanzania

Food Security ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson Charles Wilson ◽  
Maja Slingerland ◽  
Frederick P. Baijukya ◽  
Hannah van Zanten ◽  
Simon Oosting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Maps ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Stakeholder Relationships ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Local Sourcing ◽  
Farming Households

AbstractIn Tanzania, diets are dominated by starchy staple crops such as maize, levels of malnutrition are high and largely attributed to lack of dietary diversity. We employed fuzzy cognitive mapping to understand the current soybean, maize and chicken value chains, to highlight stakeholder relationships and to identify entry points for value chain integration to support nutritious diets in Tanzania. The fuzzy cognitive maps were constructed based on information gathered during household interviews with 569 farming households, followed by a participatory workshop with 54 stakeholders involved in the three value chains. We found that the soybean, maize and chicken value chains were interconnected, particularly at the level of the smallholder farming systems and at processing facilities. Smallholder farming households were part of one or more value chains. Chicken feed is an important entry point for integrating the three value chains, as maize and soybean meal are the main sources of energy and protein for chicken. Unlike maize, the utilization of soybean in chicken feed is limited, mainly due to inadequate quality of processing of soybean grain into meal. As a result, the soybean grain produced by smallholders is mainly exported to neighbouring countries for further processing, and soybean meal is imported at relatively high prices. Enhancing local sourcing and adequate processing of soybean, coupled with strengthening the integration of smallholder farmers with other soybean, maize and chicken value chain actors offers an important opportunity to improve access to nutritious diets for local people. Our method revealed the importance of interlinkages that integrate the value chains into a network within domestic markets.

scholarly journals Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Mbosso ◽  
Basile Boulay ◽  
Stefano Padulosi ◽  
Gennifer Meldrum ◽  
Youssoufa Mohamadou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Bambara Groundnut ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Promotion Policy ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Market Promotion ◽  
Protein Rich ◽  
Development Agendas

As the effects of climate change are severely straining West African agricultural systems, the adoption of more incisive interventions in support of sustainable development agendas for the region is highly critical and cannot be further delayed by governments. Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are one important ally in pursuing resilience in both production and food systems because of their promising traits in terms of nutrition, adaptation to local agroecosystems, and economic potential for local populations. Focusing on fonio, a gluten-free traditional cereal, and Bambara groundnut, a protein-rich leguminous crop, we investigate issues in their production, commercialization, and consumption in southern Mali. The aim was to assess needs and opportunities for improving their value chains and increasing their use and societal benefits. Using a Rapid Market Appraisal method, we surveyed traders, producers, processors, and consumers of target crops in 2017 and 2018. Our findings indicate that while both crops are consumed and praised by local populations, critical bottlenecks inhibit their wider socioeconomic potential. Lack of access to inputs and equipment and presence of sand in the commercialized product are important issues for fonio, whereas the Bambara groundnut value chain suffers from poor processing facilities and lack of market promotion. Policy recommendations to tackle the identified bottlenecks are proposed.

scholarly journals Architecture and Urban Agriculture: Merging architecture and a local food system in Wellington, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thomas Zahner
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Urban Setting

<p>Urbanisation and agricultural development have for centuries had an interdependent relationship with each other, where the sophistication and systemisation of food production has led to the evolution and advancement of the city (Lim, Food City 5). Current global food systems seem to be exacerbating a disconnection between people and food production while concurrently harming the environment and biodiversity extensively (Kirschenmann 109). Therefore the demand for sufficient food for a growing population carries with it many challenges for environmentally, socially and economically sustainable food production (O’Kane 268). Local food systems are capable of mitigating many of the issues caused by the globalised food system, adapting local food production to suit the health and environmental needs of a community (O’Kane 274). This results in a more active participation in the food system by the community, increased social cohesion, a promotion of satisfying social and cultural interactions around food, a fostering of social responsibility and stewardship of local land, a nurturing of biodiversity, and a strengthening of the community’s economic vitality (O’Kane 271).  This design research investigates the social and environmental benefits of integrating a localised food production system into an urban setting in Wellington, New Zealand, through the cross-programming of urban agriculture with architecture. The research aims to provide social and environmental benefits to a community and place, as well as raise awareness of the importance of a sustainable and accessible food system. This thesis suggests that merging architecture and urban agriculture can positively improve the quality of life of the residents as well as positively benefiting the surrounding environment and biodiversity.</p>

scholarly journals Value chains for nutritious food: Analysis of the egg value chain in the Tigray region of Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalle Hirvonen ◽  
Kaleab Baye ◽  
Derek D. Headey ◽  
John F. Hoddinott
Keyword(s):  
Food Analysis ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Tigray Region ◽  
Nutritious Food

scholarly journals Women’s empowerment and gender equality in agricultural value chains: evidence from four countries in Asia and Africa

Food Security ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Quisumbing ◽  
Jessica Heckert ◽  
Simone Faas ◽  
Gayathri Ramani ◽  
Kalyani Raghunathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Men And Women

AbstractWomen play important roles at different nodes of both agricultural and off-farm value chains, but in many countries their contributions are either underestimated or limited by prevailing societal norms or gender-specific barriers. We use primary data collected in Asia (Bangladesh, Philippines) and Africa (Benin, Malawi) to examine the relationships between women’s empowerment, gender equality, and participation in a variety of local agricultural value chains that comprise the food system. We find that the value chain and the specific node of engagement matter, as do other individual and household characteristics, but in different ways depending on country context. Entrepreneurship—often engaged in by wealthier households with greater ability to take risks—is not necessarily empowering for women; nor is household wealth, as proxied by their asset ownership. Increased involvement in the market is not necessarily correlated with greater gender equality. Education is positively correlated with higher empowerment of both men and women, but the strength of this association varies. Training and extension services are generally positively associated with empowerment but could also exacerbate the inequality in empowerment between men and women in the same household. All in all, culture and context determine whether participation in value chains—and which node of the value chain—is empowering. In designing food systems interventions, care should be taken to consider the social and cultural contexts in which these food systems operate, so that interventions do not exacerbate existing gender inequalities.

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