Value chain laboratory : alternative evaluation method for assessing value chain dynamics

Dijkxhoorn, Y.; Plaisier, Christine; Wagenberg, C.P.A. van; Verwaart, Tim; Verstegen, J.A.A.M.; Ruben, R.; Oldenhof, Ruben

doi:10.18174/420482

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Therefore, it searched for ways to engage with local aggregators to secure its supply. One way was to offer premium prices to assure access to steady quantities of quality sorghum (Dijkxhoorn et al, 2017). The expansion of the SME's network entailed a shift from being an agent of the brewery to performing the task of orchestrating and aligning a variety of aggregators.…”

Section: Navigating Scarcity At the Supply Sidementioning

confidence: 99%

Connecting the Concepts of Frugality and Inclusion to Appraise Business Practices in Systems of Food Provisioning: A Kenyan Case Study

Vellema

Schouten

Knorringa

2023

J Agric Environ Ethics

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Small and medium size business enterprises (SMEs) are the linchpin in systems of food provisioning in sub-Saharan Africa. These businesses occupy the middle of the agri-food chain and face a food security conundrum: they must ensure that smallholder producers of limited means can operate under fair terms while low-income consumers are supplied with affordable and nutritious food. This task becomes even more challenging when resources are scarce. This paper explores how resource-constrained SMEs arrange the terms on which both farmers and consumers are included in agri-food chains. To this end, it combines the concept of inclusion with that of frugality. We use the case of a Kenyan SME to demonstrate how a focus on frugality can advance our understanding of how business practices create thriving business relationships with smallholders while simultaneously ensuring access to affordable food for consumers. We additionally identify what conditions for inclusion emerge from this type of dynamic business practices. Our perspective departs from assessing induced organisational interventions, such as contract farming or cooperatives, which deliberately shorten the agri-food chain, thereby overlooking the skilful practices being employed by business actors in the middle of the chain.

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Section: Navigating Scarcity At the Supply Sidementioning

confidence: 99%