Outreach, outcomes and sustainability in value chain projects

This paper is a comparison of the outreach, outcomes and sustainability of seven value chain projects. Each projects' activities and results are analysed by mapping them against the structure of the value chain framework. The paper also includes an examination of the hypotheses relating to outreach, outcome and sustainability which underlie the value chain approach and framework. Through this comparison and theoretical discussion, the paper illustrates how outreach and outcomes were achieved in each project, along with tentative conclusions around the projects' relative sustainability. 

Intervention description

The seven cases analysed used the same intervention strategies, however they used slightly different emphases and methodologies according to country context and subsector. The analysed interventions sought to improve the ties between value chain actors and enhance products, processes, functions and market channels. Some projects aimed to improve the relationships between producers and private sector input suppliers, to link small-scale producers to new markets, or to facilitate embedded services. Others focused on changing value chain governance, or horizontal linkages between actors at the same level of the value chain.

Evidence methodology

To allow a comparative analysis between the seven projects employed in this study the researchers selected one value chain per case. Interventions used in those cases were then mapped to the five structural and three dynamic elements of the value chain framework.

Useful for:

Interventions using a value chain approach.