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Sweetening the Deal: Empowering Peruvian Chocolatiers
From Oct. 2011 to July 2012, I worked in Tarapoto, a small Peruvian jungle town in the San Martin province. San Martin was known in the 1980s and ’90s as a hotbed of illicit coca production feeding the drug trade, but years of development efforts have since helped to make legitimate agriculture the engine keying the region’s rapid economic growth.
- Categories
- Agriculture
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The $450 Billion Opportunity: Catalyzing Smallholder Agricultural Finance
As population growth and rising incomes create unprecedented demand for food, multinational companies increasingly rely on smallholders to secure their supply of agricultural commodities. As a result, smallholders present a compelling opportunity for buyers, lenders, and other actors in the agricultural value chain. However, smallholder production is often characterized by low yields, low quality, poor linkages, and little access to finance. A Dalberg report released Wednesday called “Catalyzing Smallholder Agricultural Finance” suggests that with increased financing, farmers can improve their yields and products and in some cases double their income.
- Categories
- Agriculture
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Peace Pays: Rebuilding Livelihoods in Northern Uganda
On Friday, the world will celebrate Peace Day, giving this work a special significance. Conflict and poverty are inextricably linked. On the other hand, economic growth reduces the risk of conflict. TechnoServe has seen this throughout our history, in countries such as Nicaragua and Mozambique. Giving people the opportunity to earn a living is one of the best ways to guarantee a lasting peace.
- Categories
- Agriculture
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Linking Supply Chains, Farmers and Sustainability : A New Rainforest Alliance report analyzes the financing needs for investing in sustainable supply chains
Development agencies, private sector actors and NGOs are working with farmers globally to help them adapt their farming to the needs of the 21st century. But the financial sector argely has been behind the curve. With The Citi Foundation and Rabobank, the Rainforest Alliance launched a finance initiative focused injecting sustainability into supply chain finance.
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- Agriculture
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Bridging the Gap: Unlocking Business Opportunities in Developing Countries
Local farmers or small companies lack the organization, knowledge, capital or incentives to provide these products. These factors are red flags for larger private-sector businesses looking to develop new sources of supply. What’s needed in these sectors is coordination at multiple points along the supply chain to help the market function properly.
- Categories
- Agriculture
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NexThought Monday: Angolan Robusta – Getting the Best Coffee in the World to Market
I was 100 percent sure after tasting Angolan coffee that it could overtake Brazil and Colombia, and fill all of our cafes, grocery stores and kitchen counters with its amazing lush aroma and spectacular taste. But, in interviewing cooperatives, manufacturers and buyers, I came across several caveats that hinder the Angolan coffee industry and its farmers, and thus, our access to this marvelous product.
- Categories
- Agriculture
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Gender Roles in Green and Inclusive Business – Replicating Old Patterns or Breaking New Ground?
The green economy has the potential to empower women – but risks replicating old gender patterns of the ‘brown’ economy, says a new DCED / GIZ study. How does the case look for social entrepreneurship and impact investing?
- Categories
- Agriculture, Education, Environment, Social Enterprise
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Wanted: Smart, Creative Capital
Last month’s “Cracking the Nut” conference, hosted by the development consulting firm AZMJ, focused on “Attracting Private Sector Investment to Rural and Agricultural Markets.” Throughout the sessions, it became clear that investment alone on the part of the private sector isn’t sufficient to transform these markets; private sector capital must be applied intelligently and creatively if it is to wield that power.
- Categories
- Agriculture