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Abstract
Research and development efforts to strengthen farmers’
linkage with markets often focus on the systematic
assessment of market chains, formulation of pro-poor
policy recommendations, and the introduction of macrolevel
enabling mechanisms. Meanwhile there is growing
recognition of the critical need for action-learning
approaches for enhancing smallholder producers’ capacity
to better manage farm businesses within dynamic market
chains. Traditional agricultural extension generally deals
with production-focused, technology-driven learning
content. Yet it is now widely acknowledged that farmers
also need to acquire knowledge, skills and attitude to
improve their participation in and benefit from market chains.
The main objective of this paper is to analyse key learning approaches in
enhancing farmers’ capacity to link with markets, in particular by comparing:
1) crop management- and marketing-based curricular frameworks,
2) farmer-group and chainwide participatory processes,
3) classroom- and field-oriented learning settings, and
4) single-activity and season-long learning designs.
The paper assesses the emerging trends in farmer capacity strengthening
towards a more experiential learning process with a market chain perspective
— as exemplified by the participatory market chain approach and farmer
business school. It highlights experiences and lessons from the root and
tuber crops sector, drawn from collaborative work by the International
Potato Center and partners in developing countries of Asia, Latin America
and Africa. Finally the paper identifies needs and opportunities to further
improve capacity strengthening approaches, including their potential
adaptation and upscaling across agricultural market chains and contexts.