UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTRAINTS AND
Date
2011-04-01
Authors
Cudjoe, Korlekour Rosina
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Abstract
Private sector-led development has become widely adopted by donors and
development agencies who have designed programmes to address market failures
impeding the growth of ‘pro-poor’ enterprises. At the same time, high value agricultural
products have been identified as a particular area of value chain opportunities for
enterprises based in low income communities. This research report critically assesses
the constraints on such a development approach through an in-depth case study of
Marula Natural Products (MNP). MNP has received substantial donor support over the
past ten years to support the processing and marketing of marula-based products. The
main findings are that, despite this support, MNP has not met expectations because of
significant challenges including poor institutional arrangements, inadequate and
inconsistent management attention, absence of entrepreneurial drive/risk-taking and a
mindset of donor dependency. These issues identified in the case study are relevant for
the review and improvement of such donor programmes if communities are to be
enabled to participate more effectively in international value chains.
Description
MM - P&DM
Keywords
Sustainable development, Marula Natural Products, Donor funding