Thematic Area
Value Chain Development
Mapping and strengthening agricultural value chains from production to market.
Research Focus
Key Research Questions
What structural barriers prevent smallholder farmers from accessing profitable agricultural markets?
How do intermediary traders and aggregators affect farm-gate prices and farmer welfare outcomes?
Which market linkage models generate the most durable income gains for smallholder households?
Why It Matters
Agricultural value chains connect millions of smallholder farmers in East Africa to markets, inputs, and services — but structural inefficiencies, power imbalances, and limited finance leave most farmers capturing a small share of the value they create. Improving value chain performance is essential for raising farm incomes, improving food quality, and integrating African producers into regional and global markets.
Our Approach
We use value chain analysis frameworks to map actors, functions, relationships, and governance structures across agricultural and agri-food value chains. Our research combines quantitative surveys at each node of the chain with qualitative methods that examine power dynamics, gender roles, and market relationships. We generate actionable evidence for private sector actors, development partners, and policymakers seeking to make value chains more inclusive and efficient.
What We Do
Key Interventions
Research Outputs
Publications(2)
Field Work
Projects(4)
East Africa Fertiliser Market Study
Financial Access for Mid-Channel Players in Agricultural Value Chains
Value Chain Deep Dive: Arabica Coffee and Soybean in Uganda
Inclusive Market-Based Development for Smallholder Farmers in Northern Uganda
Commission Research
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