“Modern” integrated value chains need not necessarily exclude the smallest producers as this book aims to explain in detail by case studies. The issue is particularly topical in India, where modern retailing has come to the scene only recently and the majority of whose population are still small farmers and artisans. Following a brief introduction to the problem, 14 case studies from India are presented to illustrate how it is being solved in practice. The book also discusses the impact of organized retailing on small-scale traders, and finally analyses the case studies for an overview, with conclusions and learnings drawn from them. Inclusive Value Chains shows by practical examples that it is possible to link the smallest producers of fresh produce, commodities and handicrafts profitably, to modern integrated markets, within the country of origin as well as abroad.

Governments, nongovernmental organizations, donors, and the private sector have increasingly embraced value-chain development (VCD) for stimulating economic growth and combating rural poverty. Innovation for Inclusive Value-Chain Development: Successes and Challenges helps to fill the current gap in systematic knowledge about how well VCD has performed, related trade-offs or undesired effects, and which combinations of VCD elements are most likely to reduce poverty and deliver on overall development goals. This book uses case studies to examine a range of VCD experiences. Approaching the subject from various angles, it looks at new linkages to markets and the role of farmer organizations and contract farming in raising productivity and access to markets, the minimum assets requirement to participate in VCD, the role of multi-stakeholder platforms in VCD, and how to measure and identify successful VCD interventions. The book also explores the challenges livestock-dependent people face; how urbanization and advancing technologies affect linkages; ways to increase gender inclusion and economic growth; and the different roles various types of platforms play in VCD.

Ch. 1. Poverty in India and value chains -- ch. 2. Retail winners and losers - the impact of organised retailing -- ch. 3. Inclusive value chains in fresh fruit and vegetables. Case study 1 : Namdhari Fresh Limited / BN Dhananjaya and A. Umesh Rao. Case study 2 : ITC Choupal Fresh / Rewa Shankar Misra. Case study 3 : INFAM in Wayanad, Kerala / Jacob D. Vakkayil. Case study 4 : Spencer's Retail / Sukhpal Singh -- ch. 4. Inclusive value chains in commodity crops. Case study 5 : Contract farming of potatoes : an attempt to include poor farmers in the value chain / Braja S. Mishra. Case study 6 : Basmati Rice and Kohinoor Foods Limited / Anup Kumar Singh. Case study 7 : Agrocel Industries / Anamika Purohit. Case study 8 : bioRe Organic Cotton / Rajeev Baruah -- ch. 5. Inclusive value chains in fisheries, honey, coffee and poultry. Case study 9 : Falcon Marine Exports / Rajeev Roy. Case study 10 : Honey in Muzaffarpur / Ashok Kumar. Case study 11 : Fairtrade and organic coffee / Priti Rao. Case study 12 : Small-holder broiler farming in Kesla / Anish Kumar -- ch. 6. Inclusive value chains in non-food artisan products. Case study 13 : ITC Limited and the Agarbatti Industry / Nagendra Nath Sharma. Case study 14 : Operation Mojari / Vipin Sharma and Mallika Ahluwalia -- ch. 7. What do the case studies tell us? Lessons for the future.

This book examines the successful private, public and civil society models of agriculture value chains in India and addresses relevant challenges and opportunities to improve their efficiency and inclusiveness. It promotes the value-chain approach as a tool to improve access to finance for small holder farmers and discusses the possible structure of and regulatory framework for the ‘National Common Agricultural Market’— a term that featured in the Indian Finance Minister’s 2014–15 budget speech, and which is aimed towards standardizing and improving transparency in agricultural trade practices across states under a single licensing system. The book deliberates on the potential of developing innovative financial instruments into the value chain framework by supporting tripartite agreements between producers, lead firms and financial institutions. Its fourteen chapters are divided into three parts—Agriculture Value Chain Financing: Theoretical Framework, Agriculture Value Chain Financing in Cases of Select Commodities; and Institutional Framework for Agriculture Value Chain Financing. Since the concept of value chain financing is being considered as a future policy agenda, the book is of great interest to corporations dealing with agricultural inputs and outputs; commercial, regional, rural and cooperative banks; policy makers; academicians and NGOs.

FAO recognizes the potential of rural women and men in achieving food security and nutrition and is committed to overcoming gender inequality, in line with the pledge to “leave no one behind”, which is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. The publication illustrates the consistent and sustained work of FAO towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, which are at the core of the Organization’s work to eliminate hunger and rural poverty. Each chapter h ighlights the relevance of gender work to achieving the FAO Strategic Objectives, and describes main results achieved, showcasing activities implemented at country and international levels. Stories from the field demonstrate the impact of FAO’s work for beneficiaries, highlighting successes and significant insights gained.

"Published in association with The National Teaching and Learning Forum."

The pressing need for environmental preservation has never been more evident, placing companies at the forefront of the sustainability movement. As the global community grapples with the ever-escalating environmental crisis, the imperative to preserve our planet has transitioned from an ethical consideration to a business necessity. Companies now face an unprecedented challenge: not only must they adapt to more sustainable practices, but must also fully embrace them across all aspects of their operations, including at the employee level. At the heart of this transformative journey lies human resource management, a pivotal lever for shaping a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for organizations. Building Sustainable Human Resources Management Practices for Businesses is a tool for academic scholars and discerning readers who seek to understand and address this urgent issue. This book goes beyond exploration, offering a deeply insightful examination of human resource management's role in fostering sustainability within organizations. By weaving the principles of sustainability with the intricacies of talent management, the book provides readers with the essential insights, practical tools, and real-world examples necessary to navigate the path toward a more eco-conscious approach to HR. From eco-friendly hiring practices to the cultivation of a green organizational culture, each chapter delivers actionable guidance and inspires change. Simultaneously, it delves into the challenges and future prospects of green HR management, exploring how technology, diversity and inclusion, and collaboration with key stakeholders can usher in a greener, more sustainable economy.

First Published in 2011. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Food systems are at a critical juncture—they are evolving quickly to meet growing and changing demand but are not serving everyone’s needs. Building more inclusive food systems can bring a wide range of economic and development benefits to all people, especially the poor and disadvantaged. IFPRI’s 2020 Global Food Policy Report examines the policies and investments and the growing range of tools and technologies that can promote inclusion. Chapters examine the imperative of inclusion, challenges faced by smallholders, youth, women, and conflict-affected people, and the opportunities offered by expanding agrifood value chains and national food system transformations. Critical questions addressed include: How can inclusive food systems help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and malnutrition? \What can be done to strengthen the midstream of food value chains to improve rural access to jobs, markets, and services? Will Africa’s food systems generate sufficient jobs for the growing youth population? How can women be empowered within food system processes, from household decisions to policymaking? Can refugees and other conflict-affected people be integrated into food systems to help them rebuild their lives? How can national food system transformations contribute to greater dietary diversity, food safety, and food quality for all? Regional sections look at how inclusion can be improved around the world in 2020 and beyond. The report also presents interesting trends revealed by IFPRI’s food policy indicators and datasets.

Markets are increasingly seen as vehicles to solve problems in developing countries. For example, improvements in market performance make potentially important contributions to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Access of smallholders to well-functioning markets is increasingly expected to contribute to poverty alleviation and improvement of both food security and environmental sustainability. This book presents the views of leading experts on where we stand and where we are heading in the field of markets, marketing and developing countries. Twenty essays in this book describe the role of marketing in achieving development goals, the track record of past market policies, the current functioning of value chains, the roles that market institutions play to facilitate market access for smallholders, as well as the potential to add value to farm produce through certification schemes, new technologies or innovation systems. The book is published in honour of the retirement of Aad van Tilburg, one of the pioneers in the field of marketing in developing countries. Early on in his career Van Tilburg recognised that improvements in the functioning of markets and marketing can be key to economic development with special reference to the livelihood of small producers and other market actors in developing countries.