The role of producer organisations in the process of developing an integrated supply chain; experiences from Quinoa chain development in Bolivia
Year: 2006
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Producers in developing countries are increasingly becoming integrated in international supply chains. As individual producers are too small to make the connection with (international) consumer markets, collecting and marketing of farm products as well as bargaining with domestic and international customers is done by collective producer organisations (POs). By exploiting economies of scale and reducing transaction costs, POs improve the efficiency and efficacy of agrifood supply chains. In developing countries, the process of supply chain development is often facilitated by state agencies and international development NGOs. These facilitators, however, do not always appreciate the role of the PO in the supply chain, as they do not reckon with the special characteristics of a PO. Being an organisation that bases its efficiency on social relations, and having both an economic and an interest representation function, a PO should not be treated as just another commercial chain participant. This paper presents a case study of a chain development process for quinoa in Bolivia, showing how chain facilitators struggle with the special features of POs. The paper suggests that externally facilitated chain development processes will be more successful when the special features of a PO are taken into account.
Authors: Giel Ton, Jos Bijman
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1542085443