Alliance Research Lever 1: Food Environment and Consumer Behavior

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Using typologies to target private sector investments in gender equality and social inclusion in agrifood supply chains: Methodological guidance and good practices
(Manual, 2024-12) Soto, Fernanda; Shijagurumayum, Meghajit; Elias, Marlene; Wiegel, Jenny; Morgan, Miranda; Nguyen-Perperidis, Emily; Ronchi, Loraine
This guide proposes a methodology to gain a deeper understanding of the diversity of participants involved in agrifood supply chains to enable companies to better target their investments in gender equality and women’s empowerment. The methodology builds on two approaches: intersectional and typological. An intersectional approach provides a nuanced understanding of how women and men in all their diversity experience disadvantage and privilege. A typological approach guides the creation of analytical groups of supply chain participants based on their characteristics to better understand their experiences within the supply chain and inform action at scale. This guide and the methodology on which it is based are designed for companies, NGOs, and others interested in enhancing gender equality in and the sustainability of supply chains.
Talleres para la escalabilidad de innovaciones en el sector agroalimentario de Honduras
(Blog Post, 2024-12-20) Colindres, Mirian; Reyes, Byron; Ceballos Sierra, Federico; Igeler, William; Minh, Thai; Wiegel, Jennifer
En octubre de 2024, la Iniciativa CGIAR organizó en Tegucigalpa dos talleres enfocados en las cadenas de valor del café y los granos básicos (frijol y maíz), con el objetivo de evaluar y promover la escalabilidad de innovaciones agroalimentarias en Honduras. Más de 100 actores clave participaron para discutir soluciones como mercados de intermediación en café, infraestructuras digitales y el uso de WhatsApp para asesoramiento técnico en los cultivos básicos. Los talleres permitieron identificar innovaciones con alto potencial de escalabilidad y subrayaron la necesidad de alianzas estratégicas entre los sectores público, privado y civil para facilitar su adopción, destacando que el éxito de estas innovaciones depende tanto de su diseño como del entorno en el que se implementen.
Guía metodológica para el manejo participativo de riesgos climáticos en cadenas de alto valor nutricional
(Manual, 2024-12) Rodriguez-Camayo, Fernando; Hernandez-Quevedo, Monica; Navarro-Racines, Carlos; Ramirez-Villegas, Julian
La seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición de la población más vulnerable en países de ingresos medios y bajos es uno de los compromisos que tienen los países como parte de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible (SDG 2). Sin embargo, aún sigue siendo un gran reto si esperamos llegar a hambre 0 en el 2030, si vemos que en los últimos tres años anteriores el hambre se mantiene en los mismos niveles, con 713 – 757 millones de personas en 2023, es decir, 1 de cada 11 personas en el mundo y 1 de cada 5 personas en África (FAO 2024). El mismo informe nos dice que un tercio de la población en el mundo (2,8 billones) no logra tener una dieta sana y nutritiva debido a la pobreza en países de ingresos bajos y medios y exacerbada por factores externos como conflictos y eventos climáticos extremos que impactan los medios de vida y los sistemas alimentarios. Muchos países de ingresos bajos y medios alrededor del mundo experimentan periodos de escasez de alimentos por eventos climáticos anuales de acuerdo con sus contextos específicos. Estos fenómenos naturales agudizan y/o prolongan estos periodos de escasez debido a que golpean las agro-cadenas locales, en muchos casos por no tener información climática disponible para identificar los momentos de siembra cuando no hay riego o cuando se van a realizar prácticas para la adaptación de cultivos o manejo de animales. Además, aun no hay mucho entendimiento de como estos eventos afectan a los actores de las cadenas más allá de la producción en donde también puede haber impactos negativos en la transformación y distribución, reduciendo la cantidad de alimentos y en muchos casos reduciendo el valor nutricional de los alimentos afectando la población más vulnerable. El manejo de riesgos climáticos en sistemas alimentarios es importante en donde cada cadena agroalimentaria es única de acuerdo con su contexto en un país y en cada región. Los eventos climáticos no afectan por igual a las cadenas debido a las características intrínsecas de cada alimento como su composición nutricional, su nivel de transformación, la forma en que este es consumido de acuerdo con las preferencias locales del mercado o si el producto o alimento está más enfocado a exportación que a consumo nacional o local. Es por esto por lo que cada sistema alimentario se debe evaluar de acuerdo con su contexto social, ambiental y económico. En lo posible, identificar las agro-cadenas más importantes dentro del sistema alimentario local o nacional y su relación con su contribución nutricional de acuerdo con las deficiencias específicas. Esta guía está orientada para que una organización, ONG, agencia de desarrollo o instituciones nacionales que deseen hacer plan estratégico participativo para el manejo de riesgos climáticos con los actores interesados de cadenas agropecuarias con alto valor nutricional. Food security and nutrition for the most vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries remain a critical commitment for nations as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2). However, achieving zero hunger by 2030 remains a significant challenge, particularly as global hunger levels have stagnated over the past three years, affecting 713–757 million people in 2023. This means one in every 11 people worldwide and one in every five in Africa is affected (FAO 2024). The same report highlights that one-third of the global population (2.8 billion) cannot afford a healthy and nutritious diet due to poverty in low- and middle-income countries, further exacerbated by external factors such as conflicts and extreme climate events that disrupt livelihoods and food systems. Many low- and middle-income countries around the world face annual food shortages due to climate events specific to their contexts. These natural phenomena exacerbate and/or prolong these periods of scarcity by impacting local agri-food chains, often because of a lack of available climate information to identify optimal planting periods in rainfed systems or to implement crop adaptation and animal management practices. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of how these events affect stakeholders beyond production, including processing and distribution, where negative impacts can reduce the quantity and, in many cases, the nutritional value of food, further disadvantaging the most vulnerable populations. Managing climate risks in food systems is essential, as each agri-food chain is unique to its context within a country or region. Climate events do not affect all chains equally due to intrinsic characteristics of each food product, such as its nutritional composition, level of processing, market consumption preferences, or whether the product is more focused on export or local/national consumption. Therefore, food systems must be evaluated based on their social, environmental, and economic contexts. It is crucial to identify the most important agri-food chains within local or national food systems and assess their nutritional contributions in relation to specific deficiencies. This guide is intended for organizations, NGOs, development agencies, or national institutions that wish to develop participatory strategic plans for managing climate risks with stakeholders of high-nutritional-value agri-food chains.
Acceso a crédito: Un análisis del impacto en la agricultura Hondureña
(Brief, 2024-12-19) Ceballos Sierra, Federico
La investigación sobre el acceso a crédito en la agricultura hondureña, realizada por la Iniciativa CGIAR "Transformando Mercados", revela que un 71% de los productores de café y un 79% de los de frijol carecen de acceso a crédito, mientras que los que sí lo tienen enfrentan serias dificultades para cumplir con los pagos, especialmente en el caso de los productores de frijol, donde el 86% reporta problemas. El análisis muestra que el acceso a crédito está asociado con una mayor adopción de tecnologías, mientras que las dificultades para pagar créditos incrementan la inseguridad alimentaria, aunque no se observa una relación significativa con la migración. Estos hallazgos destacan la urgente necesidad de mejorar las condiciones de acceso a crédito y ofrecer apoyo financiero para fomentar la inclusión financiera y la estabilidad económica de los productores.
Food quality and business aspects within MSMEs in Vietnam
(Brief, 2024-12) Hernandez, Ricardo; Manh, Cuong Nguyen
The document explores the relationship between food quality and business practices among MSMEs in Vietnam, focusing on data from rural, peri-urban, and urban districts collected under the SHiFT initiative. Sampling 1,627 food businesses, the study evaluates food quality using the adjusted GDQS for diversity and healthiness and the NOVA classification for processing levels. Key findings highlight significant regional and outlet-type variations in food quality. Vendors generally offer healthier, minimally processed foods, though urban vendors also include processed options. Coffee shops predominantly sell unhealthy, processed items, while stores and restaurants exhibit mixed trends based on location, with healthier offerings more common in rural areas. The analysis reveals minor statistical differences between the broader dataset and the MSME sub-sample, validating the latter for further study. Profitability is linked to healthier food options despite risks tied to perishability, and retailers with lower nutrition knowledge often provide less processed, healthier foods. However, no clear relationship is found between business skills and food quality, though rural retailers with strong business skills tend to offer healthier options. Three overarching insights emerge: urbanization reduces healthy food availability, vendors are pivotal for nutritious options but face urban challenges, and targeted interventions are needed to enhance awareness by retailers to act on their nutrition knowledge, profitability, and address disparities. The study underscores the potential for tailored strategies to promote sustainable, healthy food systems in Vietnam's diverse food environments. The findings highlight significant variability in food quality based on location, outlet type, and business characteristics. The document emphasizes the potential for tailored interventions to promote healthier, sustainable food options across Vietnam's diverse food retail environments.
Perspectivas sobre el frijol común en Guatemala: Tendencias en la producción, distribución y consumo
(Report, 2024-12) Achicanoy, Viviana; Reyes, Byron; Wiegel, Jenny
La iniciativa Transformando mercados estudia, entre otros temas, innovaciones que contribuyen a mejor la calidad del grano de frijol producido, el fortalecimiento de conocimientos técnicos de los productores, y el acceso a mercados diferenciados, los cuales demandan un grano de calidad y tienen el potencial de proveer mejores ingresos para los productores. Para complementar este trabajo, la iniciativa hizo un análisis sobre la producción, distribución (comercialización), y consumo del frijol para cada uno de los países centroamericanos. En este informe se presentan los resultados del análisis realizado para Guatemala. El objetivo principal de este estudio es proveer un análisis situacional del sector de frijol en Guatemala, desde las tres perspectivas (ejes) mencionadas. Esto con el fin de proveer un marco para investigaciones futuras más profundas sobre la interrelación de las dinámicas nacionales y regionales. Este estudio es uno de cinco realizados con este enfoque (los otros cuatro estudios se enfocan en El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, y Costa Rica).
Análisis participativo para la adaptación climática en cadenas de alto valor nutricional. Caso de la cadena de lácteos de Jutiapa, Guatemala
(Brief, 2024-12) Rodriguez-Camayo, Fernando; Hernandez-Quevedo, Monica; Guerra, Melizza; Navarro-Racines, Carlos; Ramirez-Villegas, Julian
En este documento se examinan los impactos climáticos en la cadena láctea de Jutiapa, Guatemala, donde la producción de leche, principalmente proveniente de ganadería de subsistencia y doble propósito, enfrenta reducciones significativas durante la temporada seca (noviembre a abril). Este fenómeno afecta severamente la seguridad alimentaria, en el que también disminuye la disponibilidad de otras fuentes proteicas como carne de res y pollo, agravando los vacíos nutricionales de los hogares más vulnerables. La producción local, que abastece el 80% del consumo en el departamento, depende de canales tradicionales, los cuales son los más afectados por la sequía y las lluvias irregulares. Mediante un análisis participativo que incluyó entrevistas y talleres con actores clave, se identificaron los principales riesgos climáticos y sus impactos diferenciados en los eslabones de producción, transformación y distribución. En respuesta, se diseñó un plan estratégico enfocado en mejorar la sostenibilidad y la resiliencia climática de la cadena láctea. Las acciones propuestas incluyen la gestión de recursos hídricos, el uso de pastos mejorados, la capacitación en buenas prácticas pecuarias y de manufactura, y el desarrollo de modelos de negocio inclusivos. Estas estrategias buscan garantizar el acceso continuo a productos lácteos nutritivos, mitigar los efectos climáticos y fortalecer la seguridad alimentaria en la región. This document examines the climate impacts on the dairy value chain in Jutiapa, Guatemala, where milk production, primarily derived from subsistence and dual-purpose livestock farming, experiences significant reductions during the dry season (November to April). This phenomenon severely affects food security, as the availability of other protein sources such as beef and chicken also decrease, exacerbating nutritional gaps in the most vulnerable households. Local production, which supplies 80% of the department's consumption, relies on traditional channels that are most affected by droughts and irregular rainfall. Through a participatory analysis that included interviews and workshops with key stakeholders, the main climate risks and their differentiated impacts on the production, processing, and distribution segments were identified. In response, a strategic plan was designed to improve the sustainability and climate resilience of the dairy value chain. The proposed actions include water resource management, the use of improved pastures, training in good livestock and manufacturing practices, and the development of inclusive business models. These strategies aim to ensure continuous access to nutritious dairy products, mitigate climate effects, and strengthen food security in the region.
Análisis participativo para el manejo de riesgos climáticos en cadenas de alto valor nutricional. Caso de la cadena de lácteos de Jutiapa, Guatemala
(Report, 2024-12) Rodriguez-Camayo, Fernando; Hernandez-Quevedo, Monica; Guerra, Melizza; Navarro-Racines, Carlos; Ramirez-Villegas, Julian
Guatemala enfrenta una alta vulnerabilidad a eventos climáticos extremos como sequías, lluvias intensas y huracanes, lo que impacta significativamente en la producción agrícola y ganadera. En el sector lácteo, la producción nacional solo satisface entre el 50% y 60% de la demanda interna, dependiendo en gran medida de las importaciones para cubrir el déficit. El departamento de Jutiapa, ubicado en el Corredor Seco, es una de las regiones con mayores desafíos climáticos, pero también un importante productor de leche en el país. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo generar un plan estratégico participativo para la gestión de riesgos climáticos en la cadena de valor láctea de Jutiapa, con un enfoque especial en su importancia nutricional para las poblaciones vulnerables. Los productos lácteos juegan un papel fundamental en la dieta guatemalteca, proporcionando nutrientes esenciales como hierro, zinc y vitamina B12, críticos para combatir la inseguridad alimentaria, especialmente en niños, mujeres en edad fértil y adultos mayores. La metodología incluyó una revisión bibliográfica, entrevistas a expertos y actores locales, y la identificación de los principales riesgos climáticos y no climáticos que afectan a la cadena. Se realizaron talleres participativos con productores, transformadores y distribuidores, además de visitas de campo en Jutiapa para comprender mejor las dinámicas locales de producción, acopio, transformación y comercialización. Entre los hallazgos principales, se identifica la necesidad de fortalecer los sistemas de producción, mejorar la infraestructura para la refrigeración y transporte de leche, y aumentar la coordinación entre actores públicos y privados. Asimismo, se destacan los riesgos climáticos, como la estacionalidad de las lluvias y las sequías prolongadas, que afectan la disponibilidad de pastos y, en consecuencia, la producción lechera. También se identificaron brechas en la regulación sanitaria y en la capacitación de los productores. El estudio concluye con un plan estratégico que incluye medidas de adaptación climática, fortalecimiento de capacidades técnicas, e iniciativas para garantizar la sostenibilidad económica y ambiental de la cadena láctea en Jutiapa. Este enfoque busca no solo mitigar los riesgos, sino también aprovechar las oportunidades de mejora y crecimiento en el sector lácteo para contribuir al bienestar nutricional de la población guatemalteca. Guatemala faces high vulnerability to extreme climate events such as droughts, heavy rains, and hurricanes, which significantly impact agricultural and livestock production. In the dairy sector, national production only meets between 50% and 60% of domestic demand, relying heavily on imports to cover the deficit. The department of Jutiapa, located in the Dry Corridor, is one of the regions facing the greatest climate challenges but is also an important milk producer in the country. This study aims to develop a participatory strategic plan for managing climate risks in Jutiapa's dairy value chain, with a particular focus on its nutritional importance for vulnerable populations. Dairy products play a fundamental role in the Guatemalan diet, providing essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which are critical to combating food insecurity, especially among children, women of reproductive age, and the elderly. The methodology included a literature review, interviews with experts and local stakeholders, and the identification of key climate and non-climate risks affecting the chain. Participatory workshops were conducted with producers, processors, and distributors, along with field visits in Jutiapa to better understand local dynamics of production, collection, processing, and commercialization. Key findings highlight the need to strengthen production systems, improve infrastructure for milk refrigeration and transport, and enhance coordination between public and private actors. Climate risks, such as rainfall seasonality and prolonged droughts, were found to affect pasture availability and, consequently, milk production. Additionally, gaps in sanitary regulations and producer training were identified. The study concludes with a strategic plan that includes climate adaptation measures, technical capacity-building, and initiatives to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of the dairy chain in Jutiapa. This approach aims not only to mitigate risks but also to leverage opportunities for improvement and growth in the dairy sector, contributing to the nutritional well-being of the Guatemalan population.
Presentación perfil de sistema alimentario municipal: Gualaco, Honduras
(Presentation, 2024-12) Rankin, Sara; Martínez, Oscar; Wiegel, Jenny
En el marco del Proyecto de inclusión económica y social de pequeños productores rurales en la región noreste de Honduras (PROINORTE), financiado por el Fondo Internacional de Desarrollo Agrícola (FIDA) y ejecutado por la Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería (SAG) de Honduras, se generaron una serie de análisis con enfoque territorial multidimensional (desarrollo económico, nutrición, sostenibilidad ambiental y resiliencia). Estos análisis, en forma de perfil de sistema alimentario, están dirigidos a tomadores de decisión tanto de la SAG como de aliados estratégicos dentro y fuera de Honduras. Los sistemas alimentarios abarcan a todas las personas y a todo el entramado de actores y actividades interconectadas que conciernen a la alimentación de la población. Es decir, producción, recolección, empaquetado, elaboración, distribución, venta, almacenamiento, comercialización, consumo y eliminación de alimentos, así como infraestructuras, transportes, servicios financieros, información y tecnología. El mundo en todos sus aspectos está implicado: recursos naturales, medio ambiente, economía, preferencias de las personas, cultura, conocimientos indígenas, políticas, política, comercio, reglamentos, etc. (UN, 2021). Objetivos: -Devolver los resultados del ejercicio de construcción de los perfiles de sistemas alimentarios municipales con actores locales. -Recolectar información sobre motores de cambio en el municipio que impactan al sistema alimentario. -Validar la utilidad del perfil para identificar recomendaciones de acción con actores locales.
Presentación perfil de sistema alimentario municipal: Balfate, Honduras
(Presentation, 2024-12) Rankin, Sara; Martínez, Oscar; Wiegel, Jenny
En el marco del Proyecto de inclusión económica y social de pequeños productores rurales en la región noreste de Honduras (PROINORTE), financiado por el Fondo Internacional de Desarrollo Agrícola (FIDA) y ejecutado por la Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería (SAG) de Honduras, se generaron una serie de análisis con enfoque territorial multidimensional (desarrollo económico, nutrición, sostenibilidad ambiental y resiliencia). Estos análisis, en forma de perfil de sistema alimentario, están dirigidos a tomadores de decisión tanto de la SAG como de aliados estratégicos dentro y fuera de Honduras. Los sistemas alimentarios abarcan a todas las personas y a todo el entramado de actores y actividades interconectadas que conciernen a la alimentación de la población. Es decir, producción, recolección, empaquetado, elaboración, distribución, venta, almacenamiento, comercialización, consumo y eliminación de alimentos, así como infraestructuras, transportes, servicios financieros, información y tecnología. El mundo en todos sus aspectos está implicado: recursos naturales, medio ambiente, economía, preferencias de las personas, cultura, conocimientos indígenas, políticas, política, comercio, reglamentos, etc. (UN, 2021). Objetivos: -Devolver los resultados del ejercicio de construcción de los perfiles de sistemas alimentarios municipales con actores locales. -Recolectar información sobre motores de cambio en el municipio que impactan al sistema alimentario. -Validar la utilidad del perfil para identificar recomendaciones de acción con actores locales.
Perspectivas sobre el frijol común en Nicaragua: Tendencias en la producción, distribución y consumo
(Report, 2024-12) Achicanoy, Viviana; Reyes, Byron; Wiegel, Jenny
La iniciativa Transformando mercados estudia, entre otros temas, innovaciones que contribuyen a mejor la calidad del grano de frijol producido, el fortalecimiento de conocimientos técnicos de los productores, y el acceso a mercados diferenciados, los cuales demandan un grano de calidad y tienen el potencial de proveer mejores ingresos para los productores. Para complementar este trabajo, la iniciativa hizo un análisis sobre la producción, distribución (comercialización), y consumo del frijol para cada uno de los países centroamericanos. En este informe se presentan los resultados del análisis realizado para Nicaragua. El objetivo principal de este estudio es proveer un análisis situacional del sector de frijol en Nicaragua, desde las tres perspectivas (ejes) mencionadas. Esto con el fin de proveer un marco para investigaciones futuras más profundas sobre la interrelación de las dinámicas nacionales y regionales. Este estudio es uno de cinco realizados con este enfoque (los otros cuatro estudios se enfocan en El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, y Costa Rica).
Perspectivas sobre el frijol común en Honduras: Tendencias en la producción, distribución y consumo
(Report, 2024-12) Achicanoy, Viviana; Reyes, Byron; Wiegel, Jenny
La iniciativa Transformando mercados estudia, entre otros temas, innovaciones que contribuyen a mejor la calidad del grano de frijol producido, el fortalecimiento de conocimientos técnicos de los productores, y el acceso a mercados diferenciados, los cuales demandan un grano de calidad y tienen el potencial de proveer mejores ingresos para los productores. Para complementar este trabajo, la iniciativa hizo un análisis sobre la producción, distribución (comercialización), y consumo del frijol para cada uno de los países centroamericanos. En este informe se presentan los resultados del análisis realizado para Honduras. El objetivo principal de este estudio es proveer un análisis situacional del sector de frijol en Honduras, desde las tres perspectivas (ejes) mencionadas. Esto con el fin de proveer un marco para investigaciones futuras más profundas sobre la interrelación de las dinámicas nacionales y regionales. Este estudio es uno de cinco realizados con este enfoque (los otros cuatro estudios se enfocan en El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, y Costa Rica).
Exploring food environments from adolescents’ perspectives in Ethiopia: An overview video
(Video, 2024-12-17) Gebremeskel, Mestawet; Ekesa-onyango, Beatrice; Nabuuma, Deborah Sandra; Tefera, Nahom; Jordan Müller, Irmgard; Termote, Celine
This video provides a brief overview of our research on adolescents' food environments in Ethiopia, offering a glimpse into the participatory videos created by the adolescents themselves. The video showcases select excerpts, illustrating the diversity of food environments and the types of food options available to adolescents. Full versions of the participatory videos are currently being used to support a co-design process at community level to explore ways to improve the adolescents' food environments. Alliance Research Lever 1: Food Environment and Consumer Behavior CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets
Transformando los mercados de intermediación en la cadena de valor del café en Honduras
(Video, 2024-12-19) Colindres Tejada, Mirian Elizabeth; Ceballos Sierra, Federico
El video "Transformando los Mercados de Intermediación en la Cadena de Valor del Café en Honduras" presenta un piloto innovador que mejora la coordinación entre productores, intermediarios y exportadores para optimizar la calidad del café. Implementado por la Alianza Bioversity-CIAT con el apoyo de BECAMO, Beneficio Río Frío y Beneficio Rosales, el proyecto ha realizado 6,500 pruebas de calidad que proporcionan retroalimentación directa a los productores y ajustan la asistencia técnica a sus necesidades. Este modelo ha fortalecido las capacidades técnicas de los productores y mejorado las decisiones comerciales de los intermediarios, favoreciendo una colaboración más eficiente y sostenible. El éxito del piloto ha abierto nuevas oportunidades de inclusión y competitividad para el café hondureño, con planes de expansión a más regiones.
Agroecological Investment Cases in Kenya: Investment cases for selected agroecological business enterprises in Kenya
(Report, 2024-12) Chege, Christine Kiria; Wanyama, Rosina; Onyango, Kevin; Bolo, Peter; Ndiwa, Aurillia M
Investing in agroecology is key in supporting agroecological food system transformationThe Agroecology Initiative (AE-I) partnered with the CGIAR Food System Accelerator (CFSA) program to provide technical support to agroecological business enterprises to scale selected innovations in Kenya and Zimbabwe. In Kenya, three business enterprises were selected to participate in the program, two input-based enterprises and one output-based enterprise. The input-based enterprises specialize in production of organic input and selling them to farmers in the fruit and vegetable value chains in Kiambu and Makueni Counties in Kenya, while the output-based enterprise procures fruits from different regions in Kenya and processes them for local and export market (mainly dry fruits). The output-based company is also engaged in organic waste management. This report therefore provides an in-depth description of three investment cases proposed for agroecological transition in Kenya, one from each enterprise. Each case shows the business model for the enterprise, the model’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, level of integration of agroecological principles, selected interventions for agroecological transitions, estimated cost of scaling in the short-run, results from a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of agroecological transitions, and a brief description of the pitching event designed to attract potential long-term investors. Key tools used for assessment include the Business Model Canvas (BMC) of the LINK methodology, and Biovision’s Business Agroecology Criteria Tool (B-ACT), Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis and Cost benefit Analysis (CBA). The results show that the three enterprises have over 50% AE score, with input-based enterprises having higher scores (63.5%-69.3%) than the output-based enterprise (52.5%). Results from the CBA show that higher investments are likely to take longer to observe returns but are more profitable than smaller investments that take a shorter time with lower returns. Learnings from these cases collectively show that there is a huge potential for agroecological investment at farm and off-farm level, and private enterprises could play a significant role in scaling promising innovations. This calls for increased investment in agroecological innovations and partnerships with private enterprises for a larger impact.
Agroecological green leafy vegetable business models in Kenya: A Report of the assessment of the green leafy vegetable business models in Kiambu Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALL), Kenya
(Report, 2024-12) Wanyama, Rosina; Onyango, Kevin; Bolo, Peter; Ndiwa, Aurillia M; Chege, Christine Kiria
Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) significantly contribute to the livelihoods of households in Kiambu County. The County’s close proximity to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, provides an opportunity for farming households to access different markets for their produce within the populous city. Moreso, the increasing consumer demand for traditional African vegetables like amaranth and the African nightshade creates an opportunity for households to make additional income and provides job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled women and youth. In the recent past, production of vegetables in Kiambu County has been fluctuating considerably. This is attributed to unfavourable weather conditions coupled with diminishing land area under production among other factors. Despite this, in 2023, Kiambu County still ranked second after Homabay County in production of Kale, and seventh in terms of cabbage production. This implies that opportunities still exist for the County to fully exploit the potential of vegetables. Adoption of sustainable food systems approaches, like agroecology, may help actors in the value chain overcome multiple challenges associated with production, supply, marketing, and even consumption. The objective this study was therefore to; a) assess the challenges and opportunities of integrating agroecological principles (AEPs) in existing business models for GLV value chains, b) diagnose the current agroecological performance for models with potential for upgrading, develop a business model upgrading strategy for the GLV value chain, c) co-create upgraded agroecological business models, and d) conduct a cost benefit assessment of the agroecological transition. To achieve these objectives, a rapid assessment of the GLV value chain was conducted to better understand the existing business models and the actors involved. Results from this study showed that four business models exist in Kiambu County; i) an organic input-based business model where a private company produces organic inputs and sells to farmers, ii) an specialized markets business model where farmers who produce organic vegetables access designated organic food markets through an intermediary, iii) a private processor model where a private processing company buys vegetables from farmers and processes into different products including dried vegetables, and iv) a conventional business model where farmers produce and sell to different markets directly or through middlemen. The first three models were selected for further diagnosis given their potential for agroecological transition. Diagnosis of the selected business models was done using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and the Business Agroecology Criteria Tool (B-ACT). The BMC was used to understand the business relationship between actors including the customer segments, value propositions, channels and customer relations, income streams, key resources, key activities, as well as key partners and cost structures. The B-ACT was used to assess how the operations and structure of the business models were aligned or misaligned with the agroecological principles. Prior to the implementation of the BMC and B-ACT tools, each model was assessed to understand their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The B-ACT assessment shows that the specialized markets business model has the highest degree of integration of AEPs while the private processor has the lowest score. Nevertheless, there was variation across the three domains of AE. For instance, the operations of the off-taker aligned well with principles that strengthen resilience, secure social equity and improve resource efficiency, with each overarching theme scoring over 80%. This outcome is somewhat expected as the off-taker has heavily invested in promoting agroecology in the community. As a result, farmers linked to this off-taker scored over 80% for principles that strengthen resilience and secure social equity. Principles improving resource use efficiency scored high (65.0%), but relatively lower than the other two categories. The organic input-based model was the second in terms of performance. The supplier had an overall score of 63.5% while the farmers affiliated to them scored 59.7%. The activities of both actors are well best aligned with principles that improve resource efficiency as shown by the high scores (87.5% for the supplier and 85% for the farmers). Principles that strengthen resilience scored 58.9% and 62.3% for the input supplier and the farmers respectively. Although the least scores were reported under principles that secure social equity, the input supplier still scored high (58.3) compared to farmers (45.83%). The private processor business model performed the least both at business and farm level. The processor had an average score of 33.09% while farmers linked to the enterprise scored 41.33%. Looking at the specific categories, the processing company scored high on principles that secure social equity while principles that strengthen resilience (11.59%) and improved resource efficiency (40%) scored relatively low. Farmers linked to the private processor scored high for principles that improve resource efficiency (50%) and low for principles that strengthen resilience (43.84%) and secure social justice (33.3%). The low performance of the private processor could be attributed to the fact that during the company was under renovation during most part of the assessment period. For instance, the company had stalled its operations temporarily to install a modern drying equipment in order to expand its processing capacity. Although the private processor model had the least performance overall, the model had a better integration of AEPs that promote social equity when compared to the organic input supplier business model. A set of action points were identified by actors in each model that when implemented can lead to AE transition, and thus promoting sustainability of the food systems. A cost benefit analysis (CBA) indicators show that investment in agroecological interventions is profitable and cost-effective at both firm and business level. Farming households would take about 2-3 years to breakeven while businesses would require 3-5 years to break even.
Training manual for agroecology business actors in mango value chain
(Manual, 2024-12-18) Bolo, Peter; Wanyama, Rosina; Muli, Alex Mutua; Kamau, Ruth N; Mwangi, Richard; Ndiwa, Aurillia; Onyango, Kevin; Korir, Hezekiah; Chege, Christine Kiria
Landscape of agroecology financing
(Report, 2024-12-20) Wanyama, Rosina; Chege, Christine Kiria
There is an urgent need to transform the current food systems to be more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive. Agroecology is a promising approach that could address the multiple challenges associated with the current food systems. However, a significant share of national and global investments is still being allocated to conventional approaches (or the business-as-usual). Yet, the cost associated with agroecological transition is significantly lower when compared to the estimated cost of the negative externalities emanating from the current food systems. Like other countries in the Global South, Kenya faces significant challenges because of unsustainable food systems. Although the Country ranks second, after Ethiopia, in the amount of bilaterial and multilateral aid received, a significant share is allocated to industrial approaches. In response to these, the Government of Kenya recently launched its National Agroecology Strategy for Food Systems Transformation 2024 -2032 to promote an ecologically resilient and socially inclusive food system in the Country. Although the strategy recognises the need for increased investment in agroecology, it remains unclear how this will be achieved. Kenya benefits from consolidated funds from donors, such as the Agroecology Fund, but the size of such grants is still relatively small for a significant impact. It is therefore important for governments, donors, philanthropists, and other investors to redesign their investments portfolios and budgetary allocations to prioritize initiatives that promote agroecological transition. This may be achieved by either increasing funding for agroecological interventions vis-a-vis conventional/industrial approaches or shifting existing funds towards interventions that support agroecological transition, or a combination of both.
Cost benefit analysis of agroecological transition: A case of mango value chain in Kenya
(Working Paper, 2024-12-20) Ndiwa, Aurillia Manjella; Onyango, Kevin; Bolo, Peter; Wanyama, Rosina; Chege, Christine Kiria
Agroecology has been highlighted as a sustainable approach that could support food system transformation in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, there is limited evidence on the costs and benefits associated with agroecological transition. Moreover, existing evidence is only limited to farm level assessments, yet agroecology assessment needs to be done from a systems perspective. We conducted a cost benefit analysis associated with AE transition along two existing business models in the mango value chain in Makueni County, Kenya. At farm level, the agroecological interventions considered in the analysis include intercropping, activities related to reduced postharvest losses, and the use of organic inputs. At the business level, these interventions include physical expansion of the enterprises, product and market diversification and proper postharvest handling. Our findings show that the benefits associated with agroecological transition are significantly higher than the costs at both farm and business levels. At farm level the net present value (NPV) ranged between USD 300 and USD 400, a positive benefit cost ration (BCR) (>1) with a payback period of two years while the internal rate of return (IRR) ranged between 100% and 325%. At business level the NPV were above USD 10,000 with a positive IRR of between 15% and 37%, a BCR of >1 and a payback period of between three and four years. The results imply that agroecological transition is profitable both at farm and business level, although there is a waiting period which may be a barrier to many smallholder farmers and small businesses. Policy interventions to integrate agroecological approaches across key food value chains would promote sustainable food system transformation, especially in vulnerable contexts of LMIC. The social, health, and environmental benefits are also discussed.
Training manual for agroecology business actors in vegetable value chain
(Manual, 2024-12-18) Bolo, Peter; Wanyama, Rosina; Muturi, George; Ndiwa, Aurillia; Onyango, Kevin; Korir, Hezekiah; Chege, Christine Kiria

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