Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework

Modern crop production is based on only a few plant species. Particularly in marginal environments of developing agricultural economies, many less well-known agricultural or non-timber forest species, continue to be grown, managed or collected, thus contributing to the livelihood of the poor and to...

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Main Authors: Gruère, Guillaume P., Giuliani, Alessandra, Smale, Melinda
Format: Artículo preliminar
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2006
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160407
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author Gruère, Guillaume P.
Giuliani, Alessandra
Smale, Melinda
author_browse Giuliani, Alessandra
Gruère, Guillaume P.
Smale, Melinda
author_facet Gruère, Guillaume P.
Giuliani, Alessandra
Smale, Melinda
author_sort Gruère, Guillaume P.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Modern crop production is based on only a few plant species. Particularly in marginal environments of developing agricultural economies, many less well-known agricultural or non-timber forest species, continue to be grown, managed or collected, thus contributing to the livelihood of the poor and to agricultural biodiversity. Some of these species, called underutilized plant species, are characterized by the fact that they are locally in developing countries but globally rare, that scientific information and knowledge about them is scant, and that their current use is limited relative to their economic potential. In this paper, we first identify the economic factors that cause these plants to be ‘underutilized’. Based on this analysis, we propose a classification of underutilized plant species based on the relationship of the observed to the potential economic value of the species, and the presence or absence of and constraints to output markets. Then, focusing on a subset of underutilized plant species with market potential, we identify three necessary conditions for the successful commercialization of underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: demand expansion, increased efficiency of supply and marketing channels, and a supply control mechanism. This conceptual framework is intended to provide a basis for an empirical assessment of marketing solutions for underutilized plant species among the rural poor in developing economies.
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spelling CGSpace1604072025-11-06T03:45:58Z Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework Gruère, Guillaume P. Giuliani, Alessandra Smale, Melinda underutilized species agricultural biodiversity agricultural marketing agricultural development Modern crop production is based on only a few plant species. Particularly in marginal environments of developing agricultural economies, many less well-known agricultural or non-timber forest species, continue to be grown, managed or collected, thus contributing to the livelihood of the poor and to agricultural biodiversity. Some of these species, called underutilized plant species, are characterized by the fact that they are locally in developing countries but globally rare, that scientific information and knowledge about them is scant, and that their current use is limited relative to their economic potential. In this paper, we first identify the economic factors that cause these plants to be ‘underutilized’. Based on this analysis, we propose a classification of underutilized plant species based on the relationship of the observed to the potential economic value of the species, and the presence or absence of and constraints to output markets. Then, focusing on a subset of underutilized plant species with market potential, we identify three necessary conditions for the successful commercialization of underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: demand expansion, increased efficiency of supply and marketing channels, and a supply control mechanism. This conceptual framework is intended to provide a basis for an empirical assessment of marketing solutions for underutilized plant species among the rural poor in developing economies. 2006 2024-11-21T09:50:42Z 2024-11-21T09:50:42Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160407 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Gruère, Guillaume P.; Giuliani, Alessandra; Smale, Melinda. Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework. EPTD Discussion Paper 154. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160407
spellingShingle underutilized species
agricultural biodiversity
agricultural marketing
agricultural development
Gruère, Guillaume P.
Giuliani, Alessandra
Smale, Melinda
Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework
title Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework
title_full Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework
title_fullStr Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework
title_full_unstemmed Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework
title_short Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework
title_sort marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor a conceptual framework
topic underutilized species
agricultural biodiversity
agricultural marketing
agricultural development
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/160407
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