Overview
Enhancing competitiveness, generating income and employment, and creating value are key performance measures of value chain development when the primary goal is economic growth and market development. However, if this is the only focus, millions of poor farmers, workers and micro- and small-medium enterprise owners who dominate agricultural value chains in developing countries may benefit little, or even be excluded, from participating in specific value chains.
Value chain development can contribute significantly to reducing poverty and improving livelihoods. To achieve these goals, value chain analysis should focus more on understanding the social livelihood context, and how and where benefits are generated and distributed.
This latest (4th) edition of Making Value Chains Work Better For The Poor provides a set of tools for analysing agricultural value chains and market systems and identifying promising chain development opportunities and interventions. With added emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion, the updated tools are oriented to analysing the situation, roles and entry points for the poor, women, and other disadvantaged groups, such as ethnic minorities.
For more information about the toolbook and its history, visit valuechains4poor website.
