KIT and SNV are analysing value chain development initiatives in order to enhance their impact on poverty on a large scale. Through the analysis of cases, an approach for stimulating commodity sector development for impact at scale will be proposed.

Designing interventions at scale

Agricultural value chain development has become mainstream practice. Many published cases show successful realisation of links between producer groups and agri-industrial companies.

However the cases in which impact on poverty at a large scale is realised as a result of value chain interventions are rare. In the experience of SNV and KIT, rather than focusing on deal-making alone, a system improvement approach – aimed at improving the functioning of an entire  commodity sector – is more likely to deliver a lasting impact at scale.

We are therefore documenting the specific experiences of funders, private entrepreneurs and public sector actors in order to create a proposal for changes that can be implemented across the system.

The objective is three-fold:

1. Highlight successful cases of agricultural commodity programmes for impact at scale

2. Articulate the experiences, frustrations and needs of larger funders, private entrepreneurs and public sector actors in commodity sector development

3. Deduct a generic approach towards agricultural commodity development at scale for the benefit of current and future implementers and decision-makers based on experiences from the recent past.

Upon completion, the research programme will publish three papers targeted at actors in the field, above-field level decision makers, and programme designers. The papers will focus on lessons from case studies and a generic approach towards value chain development at scale. A final paper will be devoted to actions that funders can take to realise impact at scale.