Market opportunities to improve vegetable value chains and rural livelihoods in southern Philippines

X. Sun, A. Ariyawardana, R. Collins, O. Nicetic, S. Somogyi, S. Concepcion, F. Gabunada, T. Abamo, D. Maunahan, P. Nuevo
Two thirds of the population in the southern Philippines are dependent on agriculture yet the country has one of the worldRSQUOs lowest per capita consumption of fresh produce. Smallholders are poor and incomes are limited by poor integration with markets. In line with the Philippines Development Plan 2011-2016, there is a major opportunity to enhance the performance of vegetable value chains (VC) and to improve the livelihood of small farmers. A study was undertaken to assess how vegetable VC performance could be improved. The study was conducted at five sites in the southern Philippines. It focused on five vegetables NDASH eggplant, tomatoes, sweet pepper, ampalaya and leafy vegetables. Rapid appraisals of vegetable VCs were conducted using observations and interviews with key chain members and associated stakeholders. Existing vegetable VCs were examined to highlight material flow, information flow and relationship along the chains. Key issues along the chain were explored. Three potential chain development models were proposed based on who in a chain takes the position of captain for leading development interventions NDASH smallholders, wholesalers or retailers.
Sun, X., Ariyawardana, A., Collins, R., Nicetic, O., Somogyi, S., Concepcion, S., Gabunada, F., Abamo, T., Maunahan, D. and Nuevo, P. (2016). Market opportunities to improve vegetable value chains and rural livelihoods in southern Philippines. Acta Hortic. 1128, 347-352
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1128.53
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1128.53
vegetable value chain, chain captain, clusters, Philippines
English

Acta Horticulturae