Pathways Out of Poverty: Using Value Chains to Move Vulnerable Households Up the Economic Ladder
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On January 28, 2011, Margie Brand and Ben Fowler presented “Using Value Chains to Move Vulnerable Households Up the Economic Ladder.” The seminar was the 55th installment of the Linking Small Firms to Competitiveness Strategies Breakfast Seminar Series sponsored by the USAID Microenterprise Development office.
The presenters began by discussing their value chain approach to targeting vulnerable households and how a combination of push/pull strategies works best. They highlighted that pull strategies strengthen value chains to create opportunities for vulnerable households, while push strategies support vulnerable households to participate in value chains. Thus, using a pull strategy alone will not adequately prepare vulnerable populations to be involved in the value chain. Brand and Fowler then took the audience through the four steps they use when working with vulnerable populations:
- Identify and Understand Target Population,
- Understand Coping & Risk Mitigation Strategies,
- Understand Asset and Income Objectives,
- Identify Appropriate Intervention Strategies.
The presentation closed with discussion of appropriate types of intervention strategies, and key considerations for value chain practitioners working with vulnerable populations.
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