Strengthening horizontal and vertical linkages for honey value chain development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region

Assessing value chain interventions in Zambian and Ethiopian forest beekeeping systems

“…The experiences in Zambia and Ethiopia evidence the importance of downstream value chain interventions, concurring with evidence from other countries (Shrestha, Partap, Islam, Bhuiyan, & Hussain, 2015). The critical first stage of linking beekeepers to markets can be addressed in different ways, but for this to be sustainable there must be confidence and trust between the producers and the buyers, as well as practical issues such as conveniently located points for the collection of honey.…”

Local value chain interventions: a systematic review

“…Capacity improvements denote a broader focus than solely improvements in a smallholder’s capacity to produce. It can mean improvements in a local organisation’s ability to perform their role (Anh et al , 2007; Banjara, 2007; Choudhary et al , 2013; Jones and Shaikh, 2007; Shrestha et al , 2015), extension officers to provide more applicable training and advice (Ayele et al , 2012; Choudhary et al , 2013; Horton et al , 2010, Kolavalli et al , 2015) or the ability of research organisations to conduct relevant research (Akello et al , 2010; Choudhary et al , 2013; Choudhary et al , 2014; Ladele et al , 2016). Providing relevant training, often identified through participatory techniques, is integral to the capacity building amongst chain participants.…”

“…The training of producers focusses on improvements in the sustainability of practices (Choudhary et al , 2013, 2014; Degrande et al , 2014), the ability to grade and achieve market quality requirements (Choudhary et al , 2014; Khan et al , 2015; Kolavalli et al , 2015; Shrestha et al , 2015), techniques to process outputs (Akello et al , 2010; Chitundu et al , 2009; Choudhary et al , 2013; Horton et al , 2010; USAID, 2008; Vellema et al , 2013) and in post-harvest management (Akello et al , 2010; Choudhary et al , 2013; Horton et al , 2010; Norell and Brand, 2012). The second stage of training often involves the transfer and formalisation of this new knowledge through written documents, such as codes of conduct (Choudhary et al , 2013; Choudhary et al , 2014), manuals (Padulosi et al , 2014) or brochures of best practices (Kolavalli et al , 2015).…”

“…The second stage of training often involves the transfer and formalisation of this new knowledge through written documents, such as codes of conduct (Choudhary et al , 2013; Choudhary et al , 2014), manuals (Padulosi et al , 2014) or brochures of best practices (Kolavalli et al , 2015). The creation of documented standards has also been used to certify niche products such as medicinal herbs (Choudhary et al , 2013), honey (Shrestha et al , 2015), nettle (Choudhary et al , 2013) and bay leaf (Choudhary et al , 2014). The training curricula of producers can also incorporate the regulations imposed by international standards, which functions as a precursor to export opportunities (Choudhary et al , 2013; Padulosi et al , 2014) by improving the readiness of local producers.…”

“…Organisational capacity improvements focus on increasing the capacity of local organisations to better represent their producers by improving their advocacy skills, their awareness of participatory techniques and business management (Choudhary et al , 2013; Shrestha et al , 2015). In one instance, a local organisation purchased communal equipment which resulted in training of both producers and the local organisation to use and manage the technology (Kolavalli et al , 2015).…”