Do Value Chains Help Farmers Out of Poverty? Two Views

[quote="michaelriggs"] From LEISA MAGAZINE, VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 "FARMERS AS ENTREPRENEURS" Many current global policies propose that farmers can get out of poverty by being (better) linked to markets. Many professionals think that improving conditions along the whole chain stimulates farmers to become more entrepreneurial and gain a better income. Does an emphasis on value indeed lead to farmers becoming entrepreneurial? And is it reduction in rural areas? In this article one author argues that innovative agri-business has the potential to get farmers out of the poverty chain. The other says that there are many constraints for small-scale farmers to become entrepreneurial, and only "pro-poor" value chains will benefit the neeediest farmers. http://ileia.leisa.info:80/index.php?url=article-details.tpl&p[_id]=232… [/quote] Dear Michael, I appreciate this topic.Specific studies on this aspect may be cited for the information of the participants.I feel farmers in developed country with more investment may be more entrepreneurial than the farmers of poor countries.This happens for the improved management support for the farmers and value chains in the developed countries.You may like to agree that the organized value chains are almost non-existent in the poor countries.So,the introduction of value chains in poor countries may be considered as a priority. Thanks in advance for considering the point. Best regards, Zainul

Hi Everybody I have only one answer to the question Value chains definitely help in removing poverty at farmer level if only true value is given in the chain for the farmers' voice, position, role, committment and contribution. In most of the developing countries the small and marginal farmers have no clue on choice of materials (crops) and markets thereby landing in debts. Janaki [quote="zainul"] [quote="michaelriggs"] From LEISA MAGAZINE, VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 "FARMERS AS ENTREPRENEURS" Many current global policies propose that farmers can get out of poverty by being (better) linked to markets. Many professionals think that improving conditions along the whole chain stimulates farmers to become more entrepreneurial and gain a better income. Does an emphasis on value indeed lead to farmers becoming entrepreneurial? And is it reduction in rural areas? In this article one author argues that innovative agri-business has the potential to get farmers out of the poverty chain. The other says that there are many constraints for small-scale farmers to become entrepreneurial, and only "pro-poor" value chains will benefit the neeediest farmers. http://ileia.leisa.info:80/index.php?url=article-details.tpl&p[_id]=232… [/quote] Dear Michael, I appreciate this topic.Specific studies on this aspect may be cited for the information of the participants.I feel farmers in developed country with more investment may be more entrepreneurial than the farmers of poor countries.This happens for the improved management support for the farmers and value chains in the developed countries.You may like to agree that the organized value chains are almost non-existent in the poor countries.So,the introduction of value chains in poor countries may be considered as a priority. Thanks in advance for considering the point. Best regards, Zainul [/quote]

Dear All, Great respond from Dr(Mrs) Krishna and Dr. Zainul. It will be of great use to introduce the value chain in developing Countries. There is also need for capacity building to enhance the chain progression in developing countries. Although some developing countries have the resources but unable to match them properly to their needs. Sea

Dear all, Development of value chains will be useful for CERTAIN situations and agrosectors and maybe countries. I think a deepere analysiss has to be done.