Consumer behaviour and preferences are some of the most important issues directly affecting value chains. What happens at the end of the chain has a direct impact on the whole ecosystem. Understanding key consumer demand drivers are important because of the substantial economic impact they have on the industry. The purpose of this study was […]
Towards a flexible plant breeders’ rights system in Kenya
This PhD dissertation (PDF) of Peter G. Munyi from Wageningen University and Research is a study of the relationship between plant breeders’ rights on the one hand and access to seed and planting material for smallholder farmers in Kenya on the other hand. Access to seeds invariably affects food availability and security and ultimately, the right to […]
Critical capital for African agrifood small and medium enterprises
This study (PDF) by ICCO cooperation, Rabobank Foundation, AgriProFocus and the Food and Business Knowledge Platform focuses on agrifood small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that form the ‘missing middle’: too large for micro-finance and too small for mainstream banks and private equity firms. The study evaluates the access of risk capital by agrifood SMEs. SMEs are key […]
Financing agriculture for a more profitable rural economy
This policy brief (PDF) by CTA discusses the Brussels Development Briefings on finance for agri-value chains. Throughout Africa, concerted efforts have been made to achieve structural economic transformation in agriculture, moving from basic, low-skilled production to diversified, higher value, more sophisticated and competitive production. Yet commercial lending to agriculture is still limited; farmers must still obtain […]
Hybrid seeds prove good performance in Singida
More than 150,000 sunflower farmers in the country are poised to raise their revenues and increasing employment opportunities from benefits brought about by sunflower hybrid seeds, which have proved to give high yield within a short period of time.
Let Sunflower help grow local edible oil industry
Tanzania is the second biggest producer of Sunflower in Africa, behind South Africa accounting for 35% of the continents’ total production. But yet Tanzania imports 50% of its edible oil needs.
