Millions of farmers in Africa depend on export markets for their livelihoods, but small farmers were missing out on this market.
While market trends had led to declining small farmer participation, these farmers had the skill and soil to provide the high-quality products sought by the food industry.
What IIED did
This collaborative initiative engaged with research, civil society and private sector partners to develop new business models across a variety of sectors that would enable smallholders to participate in sustainable trading relationships with international businesses and thereby improve their livelihoods.
The project also produced a practical toolkit to help facilitators of market linkage work understand conceptual frameworks, cases and practical processes for linking small scale producers to modern markets.
Publications
Fine flavor cocoa in Ghana: reaching high value markets, Stephanie Daniels, Peter Lauderach, Melissa Paschall (2012), IIED Report
Certified cocoa: scaling up farmer participation in West Africa, Melissa Paschall, Don Seville (2012), IIED Report
Dried beans in Ethiopia: food security through trade, Shaun Ferris, Melissa Paschall, Don Seville (2012), IIED Report
The ethical agent: fresh flowers in Kenya, Abbi Buxton, Bill Vorley (2012), IIED Report
Measuring fairness in supply chain trading relationships: a methodology guide, Andrew Fearne, David Yawson, Abbi Buxton, Justin Tait (2012), IIED/Oxfam/Kent Business School/Unilever Report
Survey instruments tool, Andrew Fearne, David Yawson, Abbi Buxton, Justin Tait (2012), IIED/Oxfam/Kent Business School/Unilever Toolkit
Information and communication technologies, Shaun Ferris (2012), IIED, Sustainable Food Laboratory Report
Branding agricultural commodities: the development case for adding value through branding, Chris Docherty, (2012) IIED, Sustainable Food Laboratory Report
Branding agricultural commodities: the development case for adding value through branding – summary paper, Chris Docherty, (2012) IIED, Sustainable Food Laboratory Briefing
Sourcing gender: gender productivity and sustainable sourcing strategies, Anoushka Boodhna (2011), IIED, SFL Report
Sourcing gender: gender productivity and sustainable sourcing strategies – summary paper, Anoushka Boodhna (2011), IIED, SFL Briefing
Under what conditions are value chains effective tools for pro-poor development, Don Seville, Abbi Buxton, Bill Vorley (2011), IIED, SFL Report
Under what conditions are value chains effective tools for pro-poor development – summary paper, Don Seville, Abbi Buxton, Bill Vorley (2011), IIED, SFL Briefing
Commodity exchanges and smallholders in Africa, Peter Robbins (2011), IIED, SFL Report
Commodity exchanges and smallholders in Africa – summary paper, Peter Robbins (2011), IIED, SFL Briefing
New business models for sustainable trade, Don Seville (2008), Sustainable Food Lab Project flyer
Business models that are inclusive of small farmers, Bill Vorley, Mark Lundy, James MacGregor (2008), IIED Report
Additional resources
Public interest in private label. How new relationships between NGOs and retailers can help build trade to benefit the developing world's small-scale farmers, Sustainable Food Laboratory paper (2019)
Presentation: Linking smallholders: a guide on inclusive business models, CGIAR (2012)
Blog: Quality control helps Ghana's fine cocoa producers go global, by Stephanie Daniels (16 November 2012), The Guardian
Blog: New cocoa business model catching on, by Edward Millard (5 November 2012), The Guardian
Blog: How markets can bloom for Africa's smallholder farmers, by Abbi Buxton (5 September 2012), The Guardian
Press release: Asda’s bouquets flourish with the Rainforest Alliance Certified TM seal, Asda (21 May 2010)
Think big go small. Adapting business models to incorporate smallholders into the supply chain, Oxfam (2010), Oxfam Briefing Paper
Donors
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Partners
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
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