Short Course on Value Chain Approach and Inclusive Market System Development

Background

Agriculture in Nepal is evidently transitioning from subsistence agriculture to semi-commercial and commercial agriculture. The farmers are no longer content with agriculture as a ‘way of life’ and subsistence nature of production. Facilitating farmers to transform their agriculture is the need of the time, and transforming subsistence agriculture into a business opportunity is imperative to attract youths in commercial agriculture.

The value chain approach (VCA) is a powerful tool to transform subsistence agriculture into a business initiative. While inclusive market system development (MSD) is increasingly recognized as a potential means for catalyzing a process that results in a market system. This course is therefore tailored to meet the requirements of clienteles for both the value chain and market system development that ultimately benefits smallholder farmers leading to poverty reduction through inclusive economic growth. This course will be delivered by professionals with a proven record of successfully designing and implementing the value chain and market system development interventions in agriculture and forestry sectors in Nepal.

Course Architecture

The overall aim of this course is to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in the above subjects. It offers a balanced mix of theoretical content and practical assignments including several dimensions of the value chain and market-based solutions that work better for the smallholder farmers and their products.

The course is custom designed based on four modules. The first module deals with the principles and practices of the value chain with an emphasis on the product selection, identification of problems and opportunities with key stakeholders for value chain interventions. The second module deals with all stages a product comes across on its way to customers through value chain development. The third module deals with market literacy, group marketing and choosing the right methods for business promotion. Finally, the last module deals with engaging private sector service providers for advancing small businesses.

Upon Completion of the Course, the Participants will

• Develop a sound understanding of principles and practices of designing and implementing agriculture and forest-based value chain development interventions;
• Be able to apply participatory tools and approaches to identifying key stakeholders, challenges and opportunities for successful business innovation and change;
• Comprehend the intricacies of the value chain and marketing system, and identifying market-based solutions including state-of-the-art thinking on choosing right promotion methods;
• Finally, learn to mobilize value chain actors or facilitators for inclusive market system development.

Target Participants 

The course is designed for any development professionals with the mandate to promote value chain and market system development interventions along the road corridors or in rural settings of Nepal. Key front line staff and cooperatives’ managers involved in agri-businesses are highly encouraged to apply.

Training Date: 4-6 March 2020 (21-23 Fagun, 2076)
Venue: Gaidakot, Nepal
Deadline for Application: 28 Feb 2020 (16 Fagun 2076)
Course Fee:  NRs. 22,000 (in double occupancy) and NRs. 27,000 (in single occupancy) inclusive of all taxes
Fee includes administration, training materials, stationery and full board for 3-days. The participants are expected to arrive in the course venue before the start of training on their own.

Advance payment is highly appreciated.

For registration, please write to [email protected] or at 98512 30438