Designing the agri value chain track: what we are testing

This programme explores how producer groups can strengthen market access, post-harvest handling and commercial organisation as part of a sustainable value chain.

Three assumptions are under test. First, that post-harvest handling improvements deliver a larger short-term margin gain for smallholder-linked groups than yield interventions. Second, that aggregation only holds where a group already has a functioning governance instrument. Third, that offtake negotiation preparation is the binding constraint for groups that already meet quality thresholds.

Effective agricultural value chains depend on relevant technical expertise, organised producer groups and reliable links to viable buyers.