Innovation for Agribusiness (InovAgro): Household- and market-level impacts of value chain interventions

Innovation for Agribusiness (InovAgro): Household- and market-level impacts of value chain interventions

Author: Amare, Mulubrhan

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2022-10-27

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13:

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Agriculture, in Mozambique, is characterized by production systems that are based predominantly on rainfed conditions and on low use of yield enhancing agricultural inputs. The Innovation for Agribusiness (InovAgro) interventions were designed to increase incomes for poor smallholder farmers in northern Mozambique. Using a market systems development (MSD) approach, the InovAgro implemented value chain interventions (VCIs) to promote the development of inclusive and sustainable market systems such that the interventions impacts were felt long beyond the project’s lifespan. This study evaluated the impact of the InovAgro VCIs on households (considering a range of outcomes related to farmers’ use of yield-enhancing agricultural inputs, access to information on agricultural input and output markets, maize productivity, women and youth empowerment, and household welfare. The study also explored InovAgro VCIs outcome indicators to evaluate market-level effects, namely: systemic (long-term), sustainability, large-scale (spillover or multiplier), and unintended (positive or negative) effects. We conducted a modified randomized controlled trial (RCT) using a spatial identification strategy to classify beneficiary and nonbeneficiary households; this was supplemented with three waves of household-level panel data (2015, 2017 and 2019). We also complemented key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with local stakeholders, including market actors and local authorities, with two rounds of geospatial data (2017 and 2019). Our findings show that InovAgro VCIs had a positive and significant impact on beneficiaries’ use of yield-boosting agricultural inputs and on access to information on agricultural input and output markets. Our analysis also reveals that the InovAgro VCIs boosted maize productivity and increased the marketable surplus of maize among beneficiaries. InovAgro VCIs were seen to have unintended negative effects on access to, and control over, land by women and youth in the short term; in the longer term; however, these adverse effects were reversed and became positive and significant. Our findings also show that simultaneous exposure to all three VCIs under the complete package had a positive impact on overall household welfare. We also find evidence in support of the InovAgro VCIs having a systemic market effect and producing more sustainable long-term usage of yield-boosting agricultural practices than non-InovAgro VCIs. Our results elucidate that InovAgro VCIs benefitted large numbers of smallholder farmers beyond the project’s direct sphere of influence and targeted beneficiaries. The key takeaway message from our findings is that a more intense VCI, that is, delivery of the complete package, appears to be necessary to achieve a long-term positive effect on overall household welfare.


Access to markets for smallholder farmers in Alto Molócue and Molumbo, Mozambique: Mid-term impact evaluation of INOVAGRO II

Access to markets for smallholder farmers in Alto Molócue and Molumbo, Mozambique: Mid-term impact evaluation of INOVAGRO II

Author: Hosaena Ghebru

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2019-10-22

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13:

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The Innovation for Agribusiness (InovAgro) project, which launched with its first three year phase in 2010, uses a market system development (MSD) approach towards the goal of increasing incomes of men and women small-scale farmers in northern Mozambique. InovAgro interventions promote improved agricultural productivity, participation in selected high-potential value chains and the development of inclusive and sustainable market systems, such that impacts are expected to last long beyond the termination of the project. This paper presents results from a midline quantitative impact evaluation of the second phase of the InovAgro project interventions (2014-2017). In it, we use a carefully designed and executed quasi-experimental study design to credibly attribute changes in market engagement and welfare of participating farmers to exposure to the InovAgro II project, identifying and testing in what respects the intervention was most successful, and what regard it had less impact. Although InovAgro II projects operate in 11 districts of Zambézia and Cabo Delgado provinces, this impact evaluation focuses on two districts in Zambézia province (Alto Molócue and Molumbo), and in terms of value chains, focuses on the soybean and pigeon pea high-potential value chains, while the InovAgro II project interventions focus on these in addition to maize, sesame and groundnut. A baseline survey was undertaken in 2015 covering the 2014/2015 agricultural season and a midline follow-up survey was conducted in 2017, covering the 2016/2017 agricultural season and reaching 1,749 households of the original 1,886 households interviewed in the baseline survey. Using difference-in-difference estimation and propensity score matching, we find that exposure to the InovAgro II project is associated with an increase in the proportion of households selling soybean and pigeon pea by approximately 5% and 16%, respectively (significant at the .01 level). Exposure to the InovAgro II project also results in significantly higher shares of smallholder farmers using improved seed for soybean and pigeon pea (an increase of 6% for soybean and 2% for pigeon pea). We find that the InovAgro II project is also associated with significant increases in access to agricultural output market information from formal sources (5%) and hired labor for farming activities (8%). Despite the significant impacts on short term outcome variables, exposure to the InovAgro II project had limited impact on long term outcome variables, such as on rural-urban migration as well as engagement in the non-farm sector (two proxies for assessing potential welfare implications of the project) however this finding is not surprising given the impact evaluation covers only two years-a short period of time to bring about the long-term impacts expected to eventually emanate from an MSD project.


Access to markets for smallholder farmers in Alto Molócue and Molumbo, Mozambique

Access to markets for smallholder farmers in Alto Molócue and Molumbo, Mozambique

Author: Erman, Alvina

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2016-07-08

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13:

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This report presents the data from a baseline data collection effort as part of the impact evaluation of Phase II of the Innovation for Agribusiness (INOVAGRO II) intervention in northern Mozambique. INOVAGRO II is a development program intended to decrease rural poverty by improving the connectedness of farmers to market systems. The baseline data were collected before the intervention began in two districts in Zambezia province – Alto Molócue and Molumbo – during the months of August and September 2015. The questionnaire focused on agricultural production and market access, in particular on the INOVAGRO value chain crops – soybean, pigeon pea, and maize. The purpose of the report is to describe the data, focusing on key variables.


Access to markets for smallholder farmers in Alto Molócue and Molumbo, Mozambique: Midline survey report of the INOVAGRO II impact evaluation project

Access to markets for smallholder farmers in Alto Molócue and Molumbo, Mozambique: Midline survey report of the INOVAGRO II impact evaluation project

Author: Smart, Jenny

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published:

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13:

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This report presents the data from a midline data collection effort as part of the impact evaluation of Phase II of the Innovation for Agribusiness (INOVAGRO II) intervention in northern Mozambique. INOVAGRO II is a development program intended to decrease rural poverty by improving the connectedness of farmers to market systems. The midline data were collected during the intervention phase, in two districts in Zambézia province - Alto Molócue and Molumbo - during the months of late October to December of 2017. The questionnaire focused on agricultural production and market access for all crops, and particularly for the INOVAGRO value chain crops - soybean, pigeon pea, and maize. The purpose of the report is to describe the data, focusing on key variables.


Food and Agriculture in Ethiopia

Food and Agriculture in Ethiopia

Author: Paul Dorosh

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 2013-02-11

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 0812208617

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The perception of Ethiopia projected in the media is often one of chronic poverty and hunger, but this bleak assessment does not accurately reflect most of the country today. Ethiopia encompasses a wide variety of agroecologies and peoples. Its agriculture sector, economy, and food security status are equally complex. In fact, since 2001 the per capita income in certain rural areas has risen by more than 50 percent, and crop yields and availability have also increased. Higher investments in roads and mobile phone technology have led to improved infrastructure and thereby greater access to markets, commodities, services, and information. In Food and Agriculture in Ethiopia: Progress and Policy Challenges, Paul Dorosh and Shahidur Rashid, along with other experts, tell the story of Ethiopia's political, economic, and agricultural transformation. The book is designed to provide empirical evidence to shed light on the complexities of agricultural and food policy in today's Ethiopia, highlight major policies and interventions of the past decade, and provide insights into building resilience to natural disasters and food crises. It examines the key issues, constraints, and opportunities that are likely to shape a food-secure future in Ethiopia, focusing on land quality, crop production, adoption of high-quality seed and fertilizer, and household income. Students, researchers, policy analysts, and decisionmakers will find this book a useful overview of Ethiopia's political, economic, and agricultural transformation as well as a resource for major food policy issues in Ethiopia. Contributors: Dawit Alemu, Guush Berhane, Jordan Chamberlin, Sarah Coll-Black, Paul Dorosh, Berhanu Gebremedhin, Sinafikeh Asrat Gemessa, Daniel O. Gilligan, John Graham, Kibrom Tafere Hirfrfot, John Hoddinott, Adam Kennedy, Neha Kumar, Mehrab Malek, Linden McBride, Dawit Kelemework Mekonnen, Asfaw Negassa, Shahidur Rashid, Emily Schmidt, David Spielman, Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse, Seneshaw Tamiru, James Thurlow, William Wiseman.


Asia's Financial Industry 1986 - 2016

Asia's Financial Industry 1986 - 2016

Author: Lawrence Au

Publisher: Youcaxton Publications

Published: 2016-09-01

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 9781911175414

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The development of the financial industry in Asia has been a history of boom and bust. Over the past four decades, it has transformed from its infancy during the 1980's to the vibrancy today. Looking back at his career from a new joiner in the industry to regional executive with several custodian banks during this period, the author has captured in this book many interesting stories, episodes and events in this fascinating process of development, from the perspective of a custodian, to add some colourful dimensions to the financial history of the region.


Financial Sector Development Strategy 2011-2020 [Cambodia]

Financial Sector Development Strategy 2011-2020 [Cambodia]

Author: Asian Development Bank

Publisher: Asian Development Bank

Published: 2012-08-01

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 9290926899

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With a rapidly growing commercial economy that requires a sound financial system to sustain growth, Cambodia is committed to the long-term development of the financial sector, channeling financial resources to productive investments, and managing the inherent risks to achieve sustainable economic growth over the long term and contribute to poverty reduction. Financial Sector Development Strategy 2011–2020 reflects Cambodia’s achievements to date, provides an assessment of current challenges and constraints to financial sector development, the long-term goals, and a prioritized set of action plans for the next decade. Said strategy will enable Cambodia’s financial sector to integrate into the regional financial system and support her long-term economic development agenda.


Rural Financial Sector

Rural Financial Sector

Author: Tamal Datta Chaudhuri

Publisher: SBS Publishers

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9788131408742

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With the liberalisation of the Indian economy and growing competition, there has been a shift in the perception of the rural sector, particularly from the point of view of financial intermediaries. This sector is now perceived as a continuous source of savings and an opportunity for profitable deployment of funds. Commercial Banks, NABARD, Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks have geared themselves up to cater to this segment of the economy through innovative schemes, focused approach, dedicated manpower and training and educational programs. Microfinance Institutions and Self-Help Groups are also contributing significantly to this process. The required financial architecture is being discussed and design of appropriate institutions is being debated. The purpose of this book is to introduce to the reader, the various financial intermediaries that are involved in credit delivery in the rural sector. Further, it deals with the performance of the various players involved in rural financial sector development and also takes stock of the various policies that have been adopted in this regard. Accordingly, the book is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the various institutions involved in rural financial sector development and their performance. The second part deals with strategies that can be adopted for improved credit delivery.


The Nigerian Rice Economy

The Nigerian Rice Economy

Author: Kwabena Gyimah-Brempong

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 2016-08-10

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 0812293754

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In The Nigerian Rice Economy the authors assess three options for reducing this dependency - tariffs and other trade policies; increasing domestic rice production; and improving post-harvest rice processing and marketing - and identify improved production and post-harvest activities as the most promising. These options however, will require substantially increased public investments in a variety of areas, including research and development, basic infrastructure (for example, irrigation, feeder roads, and electricity), and rice milling technologies.


Collective Action and Property Rights for Poverty Reduction

Collective Action and Property Rights for Poverty Reduction

Author: Esther Mwangi

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 2012-05-22

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 0812207874

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To improve their well-being, the poor in developing countries have used both collective action through formal and informal groups and property rights to natural resources. Collective Action and Property Rights for Poverty Reduction: Insights from Africa and Asia examines how these two types of institutions, separately and together, influence quality of life and how they can be strengthened to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor. The product of a global research study by the Systemwide Program on Collective Action and Property Rights (CAPRi) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, this book draws on case studies from East Africa and South and Southeast Asia to investigate how collective action and property rights have contributed to poverty reduction. The book extends the analysis of these institutions beyond their frequently studied role in natural resource management by also examining how they can reduce vulnerability to different types of shocks. Essays in the volume identify opportunities and risks present in the institutions of collective action and property rights. For example, property rights to natural resources can offer a variety of advantages, providing individuals and groups not only with benefits and incomes but also with assets that can counter the negative effects of shocks such as drought, and can make collective action easier. The authors also demonstrate that collective action has the potential to reduce poverty if it includes more vulnerable groups such as women, ethnic minorities, and the very poor. Preventing exclusion of these often-marginalized groups and guaranteeing genuinely inclusive collective action might require special rules and policies. Another danger to the poor is the capture of property rights by elites, which can be the result of privatization and decentralization policies; case studies and analysis identify actions to prevent such elite capture.