Integrating Extremely Poor Producers into Markets Field Guide, Third Edition
The Integrating Extremely Poor Producers into Markets Field Guide (Field Guide) is intended to provide the field-level practitioner with tools and applications to impact extremely poor households. The intended outcome of the Field Guide is to increase market engagement for extremely poor households, especially women, through enterprise development activities.
Market systems development methodologies have been used widely in enterprise and market development. Donors such as USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DFID, GIZ and AusAID have supported this work. For development organizations, market systems development tools have been helpful, but many of the tools have not been specifically designed to support or benefit extremely poor producers.
The Third Edition shifts the focus of the Field Guide to helping extremely poor producers; it also contains new information on market systems and on the use of village agents to improve
producers’ access to inputs. Please note that previous editions of this document were named Integrating Very Poor Producers into Value Chains Field Guide.
The Pocket Guide is a complementary publication that summarizes key points from the Field Guide in a compact, user-friendly format. It is available in English and French.
These publications were prepared by Dan Norell and Margie Brand for World Vision through the FHI 360-managed FIELD-Support LWA. Find out more about the FIELD-Support LWA below, and read about the title below and access the IBTBD.net article about the project here.
Field Guide Table of Contents
This table of contents describes each Field Guide section and provides links to PDF files of the section. The practitioner worksheets for each section are listed under the section titles. Click on a worksheet title to download a Microsoft Word file of the worksheet that you can easily fill in electronically or print and use in the field.
Introduction
The Introduction provides an overview of the content and structure of the Field Guide and explains where in the cycle of market system development the guide applies.
I. Understanding Extremely Poor Producers
This section describes the characteristics and constraints of extremely poor producers that limit their ability to participate in markets and the additional constraints that female producers face.
II. The Market Systems (Value Chain) Approach
This section provides an overview of the market systems approach to economic development and the importance of strengthening food security for extremely poor households.
III. Linking Extremely Poor Producers to Buyers and Suppliers
A. Buyer and Supplier Linkages for the Extremely Poor
This sub-section explains the benefits of linking extremely poor producers with buyers and suppliers and describes the types of linkages and contracting arrangements that are most suitable for these producers.
Worksheets:
- Vertical Linkages Analysis Worksheet
- Vertical Linkages Facilitation Worksheet
- Contract Applicability Assessment Worksheet
B. Factors Impacting Buyer and Supplier Linkages
This sub-section describes the three key factors of successful relationships between extremely poor producers and their buyers and suppliers, (win-win relationships, trust, and information flow), and provides guidelines and worksheets for facilitating and enhancing each of these factors.
Worksheets:
- Effective and Weak Vertical Relationship Assessment Worksheet
- Vertical Relationship Strengthening Facilitation Worksheet
- Embedded Services Facilitation Worksheet
- Win-Win Assessment Worksheet
- Vertical Relationship Assessment Worksheet
- Establishing a Village Agent Model Worksheet
- Contractual Arrangements Critical Considerations Worksheet
- Contractual Arrangements Facilitation Worksheet
- Vertical Relationship Trust Building Facilitation Worksheet
- Information Flow Facilitation Worksheet
- Lead Firm Assessment Worksheet
- Market Offers for the Private Sector Worksheet
IV. Linking Extremely Poor Producers to Other Producers
A. Producer-to-Producer Linkages
Joining together in producer groups helps extremely poor producers overcome barriers to market entry. This sub-section gives practical examples of the benefits of relationships between extremely poor producers and worksheets for leveraging these benefits. It also explains the advantages and limitations of different types of producer-to-producer relationships and provides a worksheet for assessing them.
Worksheets:
B. Factors Impacting Producer-to-Producer Linkages
This sub-section explains six factors that affect the success of producer-producer relationships, (including limited ability to take on risk, lack of confidence, and the exclusion of women), and provides tools and worksheets for assessing and facilitating each of these factors.
Worksheets:
- Risk Reduction Planning Worksheet
- Limited Resource Strategic Planning Worksheet
- Identify Unintended Impacts of Market Growth on Women Worksheet
- Women's Participation Improvement Worksheet
V. Other Analyses and Opportunities
This section explains the use of Gross Margin Analysis and describes the benefits of and considerations for organic and fair trade certification.
Case Studies (Annex B)
5. ProRENDA: Working with Producer Groups in Post-Conflict Angola
Other Tools (Annexes A, C and D)
- Template for a Cost Share Arrangement
- Producer Group Business Practices Assessment Tool
- Producer Group Constitutions
Useful Online Resources