Value Chains

Applying Gender-Responsive Value-Chain Analysis in Extension and Advisory Services

The most recent shifts in agricultural extension and advisory services (EAS) parallel the growing complexity of the global food system. A diversity of actors, from smallholder farmers to multinational food corporations, each with different needs, objectives, strengths and weaknesses now operate in the sector. Not only do they each have their own concerns, they may work in different ways with different partners, increasing the challenges of coordinating the different elements of domestic and internationally-oriented agricultural value chains. Women, who are estimated to comprise about 43% of the agricultural labor force in developing country agriculture (FAO 2011: 5), are among this group of new and newly recognized actors in these networks. Managing the global food system must contend with demands for efficiency and sustainability while at the same time encouraging greater equity in access and participation.

The value chain construct has emerged as a popular approach because it provides an analytical tool to address these challenges and to shape implementation of agricultural programming. Value chain analysis is used to clarify market relationships, coordinate the delivery of inputs, improve information flows, and monitor the quantity and quality of products.

The USAID Monitoring Extension and Advisory Systems (MEAS) Project is developing a series of high-quality illustrative Lessons Learned Case Studies. The first document in the series can be downloaded here. The purpose of these case studies is to serve as the main vehicle in defining and communicating MEAS' vision of the principles underlying the modernization of extension and advisory services.

Senegal - Beginnings of a Grain Revolution

The experience of cereal value-chain development in Senegal is instructive in demonstrating that the core principles of market development can be successfully applied in less favorable environments and with the most basic of cereal crops. This case study clearly shows the essential integrating role that can be played by public sector extension institutions within a market-oriented environment.