Expert Group Meeting - From Analysis to Implementation: Experience in Pro-poor Value Chain Development in Asia

The project “Pro-poor value chain development tool for practitioners in Asia” is a joint initiative of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Its main objective is to develop a technical manual for project managers and other value chain development practitioners reflecting best practices in agricultural value chain development in Asia. The tool will focus on all segments of the value chain simultaneously including primary production, various steps of transformation, and commercialization. The manual will provide guidance in the analysis of value chains as well as the design, implementation and evaluation of pro-poor value chain development projects in all segments of the value chain. It will also focus on cross cutting issues related to the engagement of and the impact of value chain development on rural men and women.

For this purpose the project pulled together cutting-edge expertise in value chain development. It drew from a set of case studies on best practices in value chain development in Asia conducted by experts in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam between June and August 2010. The studies were carried out under the leadership of the academic partner institution in this project, the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS). These experiences will be made available in a summarized form in a working paper, which in parts will be developed into a technical peer-reviewed document.

The objective of this Expert Group Meeting (EGM) was to review lessons learned in the development of agricultural value chains and provide inputs for the formulation of a technical manual for practitioners of pro-poor agricultural value chains. In the development of the manual the project draws from empirical evidence and lessons of value chain development projects in Asia and experiences from experts engaged in the identification, analysis, formulation and implementation of value chain development projects.

The project brought together a group of 25 professionals and practitioners active in the field of agricultural value chain development particularly versed in value chain development in Asia to provide inputs for further development of the technical manual.