Preface

BACKGROUND TO THE GUIDE

Food supply and distribution systems in most developing countries are undergoing major changes following rapid urban population growth. expanding urban populations demand increased supplies of food, especially fresh vegetables, eggs and dairy products. As cities and towns grow, in terms of physical size and population, the existing production systems and cropping patterns in the peri-urban areas intensify and the origin of food supplies shifts, with supplies coming from areas further and further afield.

To understand this changing situation and to be able to effectively plan to cope with it the personnel of ministries of Agriculture and Planning, and local authorities, need a simple planning methodology and framework. This framework could be used to identify the impact of changing food supply and distribution systems on the overall marketing system, on infrastructure requirements and be used to establish strengthened and more efficient rural-urban linkages. The beneficiaries of an improved supply and distribution system would be urban consumers and, equally importantly, the rural producers who would have better access to markets for their products.

This guide focuses on the issue of linking farmers to market outlets for their produce, particularly produce flows and the identification of how marketing channels work. The scope of the guide includes the role of markets and rural transport infrastructure, but with particular emphasis on the functioning of food marketing systems.

The guide covers evaluating existing marketing systems and identifying infrastructure improvements to meet the needs of expanding towns and cities. It provides a methodology for analysing existing linkages and for drawing up improvement proposals, using a regional planning approach on which to base marketing infrastructure investments.

MAIN ISSUES COVERED IN THE GUIDE

The main issues considered in this study of marketing linkages are:

• The planning and transport background to marketing;
• A description of the main marketing channels and the role of marketing functionaries;
• Techniques for undertaking a market linkage study and an assessment of farmers' marketing practices;
• An assessment of supply constraints and potential flows through the marketing channels; and
• An estimate of rural supply and the demand from urban areas and intermediate centres.

Some of the issues raised in the guide have been covered in previous FAO guides, in particular those dealing with the planning and design of wholesale, retail and rural markets. These documents are listed in the further Reading section at the end of this guide.