Small-scale farmer access to international agri-food chains; a BOP-based reflection on the need for socially embedded innovation in the coffee and flower sector

Abstract

Internationalisation of agro-food chains offers agricultural sectors in developing economies prospects in profitable and competitive international markets. Market access strategies often seem to assume poverty alleviation as one of the outcomes. This paper aims to be more precise about the required conditions for linking small-scale farmers and micro and small enterprises to markets and agri-food chains from a pro-poor perspective. In particular, the increasingly strong emphasis on compliance with strict performance requirements, as a response to visible and outspoken stakeholders with a direct impact on firms ¿ consumers, NGOs, media or public authorities ¿ seems to work against development endeavours recognising (rural) poor as capable players. Also, technology and knowledge is out of reach for small-scale farmers, due to a lack of resources, capacity, knowledge and network linkages. This paper analyses this problematic based on empirical findings in the coffee and flower sector. Next, it builds on the bottom-of-the pyramid (BOP) approach to explore opportunities for re-engineering or reconfiguring private sector-led innovation strategies for development. It looks for socially embedded development of technology and innovative products and services enabling small-scale farmers and micro and small enterprises to comply with the performance requirements governing export-oriented agri-food chains

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