Category: Promoting Value Chains

Between a rock and a hard place. Sectoral vs. local approaches to private sector development

I am preparing for a presentation at a conference in May about development programmes shifting from a sectoral to a regional or local perspective. This got me thinking about these shifts in focus and why they appear. In economic development, it is often necessary to choose whether to intervene at a sectoral level, or whether… Continue reading Between a rock and a hard place. Sectoral vs. local approaches to private sector development

There is more value to the value chain than adding value to products

I am supporting value chain practitioners in various programmes where I am coaching, teaching, supporting, pushing and pulling experts. This is one of the perks of my job as I get to look over the shoulders of practitioners working all around the world on commodity, agricultural, manufacturing and service value chains. While marking some assignments… Continue reading There is more value to the value chain than adding value to products

Climate technology for competitiveness

The role of the development of climate friendly technology goes beyond saving the planet. New climate technology development reduce the costs of operating a business and a household, and could create completely new playing fields in terms of competitiveness, branding and market position. Several obstacles are discussed, including the attitude of producers, and the problem of low economies of scale.

In the shadow of value chains

Over the last few years value chains have become an important topic for donors and development practitioners. I say “again” because as with many other topics there is a tendency for these topics to be seasonal (read fashionable). This is great because every time it becomes fashionable new ideas are brought in, while old experiments… Continue reading In the shadow of value chains