Business services in support of farm enterprise development: a review of relevant experiences

Business services in support of farm enterprise development: a review of relevant experiences
Author: Kahan, D.G.
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2007
Genre: Agricultural services
ISBN: 9789251058657

This Occasional Paper presents the study findings of approaches to the design and delivery of business services to farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Interventions aimed at business service provision and designed and developed by donors have commonly been termed Business Development Services (BDS). BDS has largely focused on reducing poverty by raising the incomes of farmers and rural entrepreneurs. The term business services, refers to the range of non financial services provided to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) at various stages in their development. They embody a market development approach to the provision of support services1. This Occasional Paper presents findings from a study conducted on approaches to the design and delivery of business services to farmers and rural entrepreneurs. The paper is based upon an extensive literature review of BDS and other business-related service interventions, supported by selected case studies in Asia and Africa. Business services are aimed at assisting farmers and rural entrepreneurs to overcome internal and external constraints to their farm business start-up, development and performance. Contained within the broad concept are such activities as group training, individual counselling, advice, the development of new commercial entities, technology development and transfer, information provision, business links and policy advocacy.

Farm management extension services: a review of global experience

Farm management extension services: a review of global experience
Author: Kahan, D.G.
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 152
Release: 2007
Genre: Agricultural extension work
ISBN: 9789251058947

This Occasional Paper presents the findings of a global review of farm management extension services. The specific intentions were to: (i) assess the current status of farm management training and extension programmes; (ii) identify constraints and issues; (iii) review the performance and impact; and (iv) propose recommendations for the improved provision of farm management extension advice.

Profitability and sustainability of urban and periurban agriculture

Profitability and sustainability of urban and periurban agriculture
Author: René van Veenhuizen
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2007
Genre: Agriculture
ISBN: 9789251058817

Urban agriculture (UA) is a dynamic concept that comprises a variety of livelihood systems ranging from subsistence production and processing at the household level to more commercialized agriculture. It takes place in different locations and under varying socio-economic conditions and political regimes. The diversity of UA is one of its main attributes, as it can be adapted to a wide range of urban situations and to the needs of diverse stakeholders. This paper aims to provide pertinent information on profitability and sustainability of UA to a wide audience of managers and policymakers from municipalities, ministries of agriculture, local government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), donor organizations and university research institutions. It aims to highlight the benefits of linkages between agriculture and the urban environment, leading to a more balanced understanding of the conflicts and synergies. It examines how UA can contribute substantially to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in reducing urban poverty and hunger (MDG 1) and ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG 7).

Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook

Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook
Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 792
Release: 2008-10-07
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0821375881

The 'Gender in Agriculture Sourcebook' provides an up-to-date understanding of gender issues and a rich compilation of compelling evidence of good practices and lessons learned to guide practitioners in integrating gender dimensions into agricultural projects and programs. It is serves as a tool for: guidance; showcasing key principles in integrating gender into projects; stimulating the imagination of practitioners to apply lessons learned, experiences, and innovations to the design of future support and investment in the agriculture sector. The Sourcebook draws on a wide range of experience from World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other donor agencies, governments, institutions, and groups active in agricultural development. The Sourcebook looks at: access to and control of assets; access to markets, information and organization; and capacity to manage risk and vulnerability through a gender lens. There are 16 modules covering themes of cross-cutting importance for agriculture with strong gender dimensions (Policy, Public Administration and Governance; Agricultural Innovation and Education; Food Security; Markets; Rural Finance; Rural Infrastructure; Water; Land; Labor; Natural Resource Management; and Disaster and Post-Conflict Management) and specific subsectors in agriculture (Crops, Livestock, Forestry, and Fisheries). A separate module on Monitoring and Evaluation is included, responding to the need to track implementation and development impact. Each module contains three different sub-units: (1) A Module Overview gives a broad introduction to the topic and provides a summary of major development issues in the sector and rationale of looking at gender dimension; (2) Thematic Notes provide a brief and technically sound guide in gender integration in selected themes with lessons learned, guidelines, checklists, organizing principles, key questions, and key performance indicators; and (3) Innovative Activity Profiles describe the design and innovative features of recent and exciting projects and activities that have been implemented or are ongoing.

Organic certification schemes: managerial skills and associated costs. Synthesis report from case studies in the rice and vegetable sectors

Organic certification schemes: managerial skills and associated costs. Synthesis report from case studies in the rice and vegetable sectors
Author: Santacoloma, P.
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2007
Genre: Natural foods
ISBN: 9789251057711

This paper studies alternative certification schemes for organic products in order to draw conclusions regarding the institutional support and technological development required for compliance with organic standards. It discusses third party certification, for both individuals and farmer groups, as well as participatory certification. Case studies from developing countries and countries in transition engaged in organic rice and organic fruit and vegetable production are examined. Issues analysed include the organizational structure and marketing strategies in the organic supply chain. The paper also discusses the institutional development that is needed to provide business and technical services and establish the quality assurance system. Organizational, managerial and business skills required by the lead stakeholders in the organic chain are analysed as well as the costs that they incur for effectively managing organic projects. Similarly, the managerial skills required at the farm level are considered as is the use of cost-benefit analysis. The paper also reviews the legal and institutional framework that facilitates organic production and certification. The paper is aimed at staff of government, private and non-government organizations working at the policy level and in the field, and at donors' organizations that support organic production and certification.

The Business of Agricultural Business Services

The Business of Agricultural Business Services
Author: Mariana Wongtschowski
Publisher: Kit Pub
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789460222368

An increasing number of African smallholders are moving from subsistence farming to selling at least part of their output. To shift successfully to a more commercial footing they need a lot more than the production advice traditionally provided by extension services. They need to understand how markets work. They also need advice on postharvest handling, help with business planning and marketing, assistance with organization, information on prices, links to buyers and credit, help with contracts and standards, and many other types of assistance. These agricultural business development services are provided by a mix of private companies, NGOs, cooperatives and government agencies in what is called a pluralistic extension system . Farmers and other clients such as input stores, small-scale processors and traders get some services for free, paid for by donors or the government. Others are subsidized: the farmers pay part of the cost. For still others, the farmers must pay the full cost. That leads to questions of sustainability (what happens when the donor s money runs out?), accountability (whom do the service providers listen to: the farmers, or the source of the funds?), and inclusiveness (how to ensure that women, the poor and disadvantaged get the services they need but cannot afford?). This book describes the two dominant approaches to providing services: supply-driven (where the funder decides what services should be offered), and market-driven (where more emphasis is put on market forces). It looks at how 12 business service providers from across Africa run their businesses. It describes the seven different business models that they pursue, and examines the features of each one. Based on their experiences, it proposes a new, needs-driven approach, which aims to overcome the shortcomings of both the supply-driven and the market-driven approaches by taking the needs of clients as a starting point for policy and action."

A Market Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Agroenterprise Development

A Market Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Agroenterprise Development
Author: Shaun Ferris
Publisher: Catholic Relief Services
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2006-09
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1614920028

This publication is a product of the experiences and lessons learned while implementing agroenterprise projects in eastern and southern Africa. A Market Facilitator's Guide is based on a resource-to-consumption framework, which is the central theme of the "enabling rural innovation" approach for rural development. This approach seeks to empower farmer groups with the necessary skills to make informed decisions for their economic development, based on an analysis of their surroundings, assets and skills. The methodology also aims for outcomes that are equitable, gender focused and participatory.

Entrepreneurship in Farming

Entrepreneurship in Farming
Author: David Kahan
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013
Genre: Agricultural extension work
ISBN: 9789251075470

A lot is being said these days about farmers becoming ‘entrepreneurs’. But what is entrepreneurship? What does it take to be entrepreneurial? How can an entrepreneurial behaviour be created and sustained? How can entrepreneurial skills be developed? How do entrepreneurial farmers respond to the changing farming environment? What strategies do they use? What actions do they take? And how can extension workers help farmers develop entrepreneurial capacity?

Innovative Mobile and Internet Services in Ubiquitous Computing

Innovative Mobile and Internet Services in Ubiquitous Computing
Author: Leonard Barolli
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 950
Release: 2019-06-18
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3030222632

This book highlights the latest research findings, methods and techniques, as well as challenges and solutions related to Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing (UPC). In this regard, it employs both theoretical and practical perspectives, and places special emphasis on innovative, mobile and internet services. With the proliferation of wireless technologies and electronic devices, there is a rapidly growing interest in Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing (UPC). UPC makes it possible to create a human-oriented computing environment in which computer chips are embedded in everyday objects and interact with the physical world. Through UPC, people can remain online even while underway, thus enjoying nearly permanent access to their preferred services. Though it has a great potential to revolutionize our lives, UPC also poses a number of new research challenges.

InfoWorld

InfoWorld
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 104
Release: 2003-03-03
Genre:
ISBN:

InfoWorld is targeted to Senior IT professionals. Content is segmented into Channels and Topic Centers. InfoWorld also celebrates people, companies, and projects.