“A common thread among all who use agricultural products in the sector is the inconsistency of supplies and very little collaboration between all the stakeholders. The commodity value chain attempts to bring everyone in the value chain together and involve the key players in the process.”
Elbert Johnson
CEO
National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO)
“With regards the Commodity Value Chain, it is not enough to apply an analytical tool to improve competitiveness and have more products on a shelf. Hence, the Commodity-Chain Analysis and Action Oriented Dialogue Approach (CADIAC) approach is developed for this reason. NAMDEVCO is working with IICA to build the capacity of its technicians to meet the needs. These involve:
1. Training NAMDEVCO staff in value chain analysis as not many persons are trained in this region;
2. Training TTABA technicians in value analysis in rabbits and cassava.
In a nutshell, the technical persons go through a five (5) stage process. They choose a particular commodity, for example, hot peppers, rabbits, pumpkins etc., and they are split into groups; 2 per group; for research. The research phase involves:
...a common thread.. is the inconsistency of supplies and very little collaboration between all the stakeholders...
· Links with international environment
· Links with national environment
· Commodity chain structure
· Functioning of the commodity chain
· Interpretation of results
What is expected to come out of the research phase is 10 years of documents and data and this will be used to provide the actors with information and then evaluated in the action-oriented dialogue phase. Once the research is done, there will be an agreement in the dialogue phase on certain issues as to how the chain should move forward. At this time, we just want input from you, the key actors, as to what interventions are necessary to make the chain competiveness. Simply, just indicate if what we have done so far is right or wrong. Then, the results will be evaluated and the expert (guru) from Costa Rica will be there to chart the process forward.”
Robert Reid
Regional Agribusiness Specialist, IICA
