African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness

This conceptual paper discusses the challenges smallholder producer cooperatives in developing countries face while trying to access agricultural global value chains. We assess the problem of competitiveness related to lack of commitment and improper selection. Prioritization of open membership over...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Lutz, Clemens, Tadesse, Getaw
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Informa UK Limited 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146259
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author Lutz, Clemens
Tadesse, Getaw
author_browse Lutz, Clemens
Tadesse, Getaw
author_facet Lutz, Clemens
Tadesse, Getaw
author_sort Lutz, Clemens
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This conceptual paper discusses the challenges smallholder producer cooperatives in developing countries face while trying to access agricultural global value chains. We assess the problem of competitiveness related to lack of commitment and improper selection. Prioritization of open membership over selection is generally taken for granted in the policy debate on farmers’ market organizations (FMOs). We argue that open membership may work in community-driven organizations, however, it becomes a major threat for entrepreneurial FMOs. Inclusion facilitates free riding, which forms a barrier for investments of members. This is one of the major reasons why so many of these organizations are so much resource constrained, i.e. are not able to compete in the market without external support. FMOs should take targeting and selection serious if entrepreneurial activities are intended. Otherwise, they miss the opportunity to create a committed member base willing to invest in a potentially competitive organization.
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spelling CGSpace1462592024-10-25T07:53:03Z African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness Lutz, Clemens Tadesse, Getaw value chains farmers associations farmers farmers organizations competitive behaviour smallholders cooperatives This conceptual paper discusses the challenges smallholder producer cooperatives in developing countries face while trying to access agricultural global value chains. We assess the problem of competitiveness related to lack of commitment and improper selection. Prioritization of open membership over selection is generally taken for granted in the policy debate on farmers’ market organizations (FMOs). We argue that open membership may work in community-driven organizations, however, it becomes a major threat for entrepreneurial FMOs. Inclusion facilitates free riding, which forms a barrier for investments of members. This is one of the major reasons why so many of these organizations are so much resource constrained, i.e. are not able to compete in the market without external support. FMOs should take targeting and selection serious if entrepreneurial activities are intended. Otherwise, they miss the opportunity to create a committed member base willing to invest in a potentially competitive organization. 2017 2024-06-21T09:06:22Z 2024-06-21T09:06:22Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146259 en Open Access Informa UK Limited Lutz, Clemens; and Tadesse, Getaw. 2017. African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness. Review of Social Economy 75(3): 318-338. https://doi.org/10.1080/00346764.2017.1300317
spellingShingle value chains
farmers associations
farmers
farmers organizations
competitive behaviour
smallholders
cooperatives
Lutz, Clemens
Tadesse, Getaw
African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness
title African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness
title_full African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness
title_fullStr African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness
title_full_unstemmed African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness
title_short African farmers’ market organizations and global value chains: Competitiveness versus inclusiveness
title_sort african farmers market organizations and global value chains competitiveness versus inclusiveness
topic value chains
farmers associations
farmers
farmers organizations
competitive behaviour
smallholders
cooperatives
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146259
work_keys_str_mv AT lutzclemens africanfarmersmarketorganizationsandglobalvaluechainscompetitivenessversusinclusiveness
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