Smallholders in Value Chains: Evidence on Scale, Productivity, and Benefits (Event Resources)

In this seminar, Elizabeth Dunn, research economist and President of Impact LLC, discussed smallholders and inclusive growth in agricultural market systems. Inclusive growth has strong appeal in agriculture, where smallholder-led development strategies can lead to structural transformation that increases productivity, incomes, and food security in rural areas. The evidence on scale indicates that large numbers of smallholders can be integrated into agricultural value chains, but comparison across different types of interventions is hampered by inconsistencies in measuring smallholders reached indirectly through facilitation. Productivity gains depend on smallholder upgrading investments that add value by improving efficiency and/or product quality. The evidence on productivity highlights the importance of market opportunities (“pull” factors) and household capabilities (“push” factors) in influencing smallholders’ willingness to invest in productivity-enhancing upgrades. The findings related to farm and household income are mixed, with clear implications for needed improvements in evaluation methods.

Download all of the post-event resources, including the presentation screencast and the full FIELD report on Smallholder and Inclusive Growth in Agricultural Value Chains and other related resources.