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The changing nature of state-business relations and implications for Global Value Chain inclusion

by | Apr 19, 2021

The changing nature of state-business relations and implications for Global Value Chain inclusion

The changing nature of state-business relations and implications for Global Value Chain inclusion

What challenge/opportunity does it seek to address?

A significant amount of global trade is conducted through an integrated system of economic activities (also known as global value chains – GVCs). These arrangements affect value creation, distribution and capture (in the form of surplus) from productive activities, which in turn are influenced by firm capabilities (technological, organisational, marketing etc); relational activity between value chain actors; sector competition; availability or scarcity of factors of production; and policy rents.

This research intends to explore these interactions in East Africa; focusing initially on horticultural value chains in Kenya to understand the implications of these dynamics for development outcomes. It asks, “How have SBRs influenced domestic policy responses to Covid-19 in Kenya? What kinds of (new) institutions and governance mechanisms are emerging as a result of these SBRs? What are the medium-term implications for participation in global (S-S or trilateral) value chains?” The goal is to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced SBRs and value chain dynamics in Kenya, to elucidate how these changing dynamics are likely to influence sustainable development goals and outcomes, and whether these changes are temporary responses to crisis or amount to more significant reconfigurations in GVCs and SBRs. We also aim to derive practical lessons to inform policy with respect to economic development, resilience, and equity.

Research Design: key activities /methodology

To shed light on these questions, we will develop new contextualized evidence on how SBRs are changing with COVID-19 and implications for participation in GVCs, with respect to horticultural value chain(s) in Kenya. We aim to implement this across 1-2 sub-sectors – to be finalized after a secondary review of evidence. With the available funding, we will focus on the development of a conceptual framework and case study on Covid-19, SBRs, and horticulture in Kenya, grounded in literature, secondary data, and key informant interviews. The intention, however, is to set the ground for broader mixed methods approaches in multiple countries/value chains.

Innovate Venture and Technologies for Development (INVENT)

by | Apr 19, 2021

Innovate Venture and Technologies for Development (INVENT)

Innovate Venture and Technologies for Development (INVENT)

The Consultancy on ‘Innovate Venture and Technologies for Development (INVENT)’ aimed at evaluating the extent of INVENT Global towards its stated objectives and inform programming and strategy of DFID India global partnership team.  Phase 1  of the evaluation involved three instruments and a sample of 10 out of 41 innovation enterprises and used a range of methodologies within the evaluation of the case studies including Social Venture Impact Metric (SVIM), Base of Pyramid Impact Assessment Frameworks (BoP IAF, and value for money (VfM) assessments).

Evaluation of AGRA’s Strengthening Agricultural Input and Output Markets in Africa (SAIOMA)

by | Apr 18, 2021

Evaluation of AGRA's Strengthening Agricultural Input and Output Market in Africa (SAIOMA)

Evaluation of AGRA's Strengthening Agricultural Input and Output Market in Africa (SAIOMA)

Evaluation of AGRA’s Strengthening Agricultural Input and Output Market in Africa (SAIOMA) 

Strengthening Agricultural Input and Output Markets in Africa program is hosted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). It is a multi-partner initiative working to improve inclusive agricultural sector growth in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia through a Global Development Alliance supported by the United States Agency for International Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SAIOMA pursued its overall goal through two primary program objectives: i) Improved Agricultural Production through strengthening agro-dealer networks to improve smallholder farmers’ access to improved agro-inputs and appropriate agronomic practices.; and ii) Improved smallholder farmers access to markets through investing in market development, storage and services and direct procurement. The focus crops for market access activities are green grams, pigeon pea, cow pea, groundnuts sunflower, sorghum, cassava, and maize. The main objective of this final evaluation was to assess the overall program performance in relation to its objectives, and to provide input into the new strategic directions or implementation designs/strategies of another phase should funds be available. The evaluation assessed what has worked, what did not work very well, key lessons learned and what areas should be emphasized or adjusted, in the second phase.

Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition (BFN) Market Linkages

by | Apr 18, 2021

Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition (BFN) Market Linkages

Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition (BFN) Market Linkages 

In Western Kenya, cases of malnutrition, stunting and underweight are common especially for children under five years. This has been attributed to low purchasing power and over-reliance on starchy foods. Yet, Western Kenya is rich in agricultural biodiversity which would provide a gateway to dietary diversity for food and nutritional security. Africa Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) offers such biodiversity which can be exploited not only for nutrition but also economic gains.  But this value chain has been under-developed and un-exploited due to production and marketing constraints faced by farmers.

The BFN market linkages project was implemented with the aim of empowering farmer groups to supply markets for nutrient rich foods. An adapted Farmer Business School (FBS) model which applied varied approaches to learning enhanced knowledge sharing among target groups. A total of 547 beneficiaries (151 male, 386 female and 119 youth) from the 25 farmer groups participated in the project. Farmers are better organized, undertake market research and have capacity to respond to new market opportunities. Five farmer groups managed to enter into contractual arrangements with 14 institutional markets comprised of 13 schools and one hospital. The farmer groups developed 23 business plans, which inform their production, financing and marketing plans throughout the year.  Farmers are now willing to invest more resources in ALV production and marketing –which will translate into better incomes and livelihoods. Also, most participating households understand and appreciate the nutritional value of ALVs and the significance of a balanced diet.

The project was funded by Bioversity International (https://www.bioversityinternational.org/) through Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (https://www.aciar.gov.au/).

Group capacity assessment report_Oct 2016-1

End of project report_08022017

The project’s specific objectives were to:

  1. Create innovations that can enable co-management at the county and national level to work in favor of all stakeholders in the livestock value chain.
  2. Find innovative ways of delivering effective animal health services that are responsive to livestock production, hence enabling them to meet market requirements.
  3. Integrate traditional and modern knowledge on climate change interventions to improve the capacity of pastoralists to adapt and mitigate climate change impacts.
  4. Facilitate innovative financing for the above interventions for the development of the pastoral livestock economy to improve the incomes and livelihoods of inhabitants of pastoral areas. 

In addressing these objectives, CABE undertook preparatory activities which will culminate into a national policy dialogue on the above challenges, proven innovations, and the necessary policy support. The project held discussions with stakeholders in Turkana, Kajiado, and Marsabit counties; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Department of Livestock Production, Department of Veterinary Services), Kenya Veterinary Board, National Drought Management Authority, and Kenya Meteorological Department.

Notably, the two most critical issues affecting pastoralism, and which should inform national policy dialogue are pastoralism and climate variability, and trade and transboundary diseases.

 

    The project’s achievements

    1. Mapped actors and identified seven kraals as a basis for respectively engaging policy makers and pastoral communities. 
    2. Documented and prepared papers and policy briefs on existing climate-smart pastoral practices and innovations, disease surveillance and management and innovative livestock marketing. 
    3. Established several avenues (though forums for meetings, print and electronic media) for county-level policy debates and dialogues on animal health, trade, climate smart pastoralism, food security and livelihoods.
    4. Reviewed policies on animal health, climate change, marketing, and trade. 
    5. Organised a sub-county policy dialogue comprising 80 stakeholders who provided feedback on policy briefs.
    6. Developed and aired 8 radio programmes on community radio stations through Kraal-based radio-listening clubs initiated by CABE.

    The success of Phase I (ReSAHMaP) led to Phase II for hosting a national policy dialogue OF Phase I, then Phase III on Climate Smart Pastoral Innovations (CSPI).

    Group capacity assessment report_Oct 2016-1

    End of project report_08022017

    Re-thinking Strategy on Animal health, markets, and policy in Pastoralist Areas of East Africa (ReSAHMaP)

    by | Apr 18, 2021

    Re-thinking Strategy on Animal health, markets, and policy in Pastoralist Areas of East Africa (ReSAHMaP)

    Re-thinking Strategy on Animal health, markets, and policy in Pastoralist Areas of East Africa (ReSAHMaP)

    The Centre for African Bio-Entrepreneurship (CABE) is in the third phase of implementing OSIEA Economic Governance program with funding from Open Society Foundation through the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (www.osiea.org).

    Dubbed ‘Re-thinking Strategy on Animal health, markets, and policy in Pastoralist Areas of East Africa: Supporting learning by Interaction to strengthen livestock policy and practice in Kenya,’ the project aimed to enhance the capacity of pastoral communities to influence decision making with respect to animal health, markets and policy for improved livelihoods and food security in Kenya. 

    The main objective of ReSAHMaP was to advocate for policies that will help to improve livestock marketing, animal health, service delivery and climate change mitigation and adaptive capacity in pastoral areas of Kenya.

    The project’s specific objectives were to:

    1. Create innovations that can enable co-management at the county and national level to work in favor of all stakeholders in the livestock value chain.
    2. Find innovative ways of delivering effective animal health services that are responsive to livestock production, hence enabling them to meet market requirements.
    3. Integrate traditional and modern knowledge on climate change interventions to improve the capacity of pastoralists to adapt and mitigate climate change impacts.
    4. Facilitate innovative financing for the above interventions for the development of the pastoral livestock economy to improve the incomes and livelihoods of inhabitants of pastoral areas. 

    In addressing these objectives, CABE undertook preparatory activities which will culminate into a national policy dialogue on the above challenges, proven innovations, and the necessary policy support. The project held discussions with stakeholders in Turkana, Kajiado, and Marsabit counties; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Department of Livestock Production, Department of Veterinary Services), Kenya Veterinary Board, National Drought Management Authority, and Kenya Meteorological Department.

    Notably, the two most critical issues affecting pastoralism, and which should inform national policy dialogue are pastoralism and climate variability, and trade and transboundary diseases.

     

      The project’s achievements

      1. Mapped actors and identified seven kraals as a basis for respectively engaging policy makers and pastoral communities. 
      2. Documented and prepared papers and policy briefs on existing climate-smart pastoral practices and innovations, disease surveillance and management and innovative livestock marketing. 
      3. Established several avenues (though forums for meetings, print and electronic media) for county-level policy debates and dialogues on animal health, trade, climate smart pastoralism, food security and livelihoods.
      4. Reviewed policies on animal health, climate change, marketing, and trade. 
      5. Organised a sub-county policy dialogue comprising 80 stakeholders who provided feedback on policy briefs.
      6. Developed and aired 8 radio programmes on community radio stations through Kraal-based radio-listening clubs initiated by CABE.

      The success of Phase I (ReSAHMaP) led to Phase II for hosting a national policy dialogue OF Phase I, then Phase III on Climate Smart Pastoral Innovations (CSPI).

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