http://rmportal.net daily 1 2006-12-02T17:33:42Z http://rmportal.net/library/III/A/7/a/madagascar-aromatic-and-medicinal-plant-value-chain-analysis-combining-the-value-chain-approach-and-nature-health-wealth-and-power-frameworks microREPORT #70. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context of study. This assessment of Madagascar’s aromatic and medicinal plant (AMP) industry integrates the value chain approach (VCA) developed under USAID’s Accelerating Microenterprise Advancement Project Business Development Services (AMAP BDS) Knowledge and Practice Task Order and the Nature, Health, Wealth and Power (NHWP) framework developed under USAID/FRAME and adapted by the USAID/Madagascar Mission. The NHWP framework focuses on the nexus of natural resources, human health, economic concerns and governance as a driving force in rural development. It highlights the interlinked challenges of (a) facilitating sustainable utilization and improved management of natural resources, (b) improving standards of health and nutrition, (c) promoting economic growth and poverty alleviation, and (d) empowering rural producers and institutionalizing popular participation in public decision-making. The VCA addresses the potential of small firms and the industries they dominate to compete in global markets. It focuses on (a) the role of benefits in creating incentives or disincentives for performance, (b) the effect of relative power among firms on inter-firm cooperation and coordination, and (c) the impact of learning and innovation on the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises (MSE). The two frameworks share a concern with harnessing markets to reduce poverty and promote equity. VCA uses the industry sector as a starting point, and NHWP uses natural resource-dependent producers as a starting point. Combining the two analytical frameworks situates fundamental environmental and social issues within a broader context of competitiveness and long-term industry sustainability. One purpose of this study is to examine the potential advantages of a joint value chain–NHWP approach. Our analysis of Madagascar’s AMP sector suggests that value chain analysis can be enhanced through full consideration of the role of natural resource management, health concerns and governance issues. It also suggests that value chain analysis can be an important tool for understanding the linkages between local-level NHWP dynamics and broader market systems. ... No publisher Juliard, Criss USAID 2006 In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. 2008-05-31T00:03:05Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/III/A/7/a/haitian-handicraft-value-chain-analysis microREPORT # 68.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Haiti is known throughout the Caribbean, Americas and Europe for the quality and creativity of its handicrafts, especially metalwork. The capacity of the handicrafts industry to turn that advantage into a larger and growing market share is constrained by a number of factors. The objective of this assessment is to better understand the constraints and opportunities of the handicrafts industry in Haiti, and to present the findings to key stakeholders in the industry in order to develop a competitiveness strategy focused on greater efficiency, increased differentiation (including quality improvements) and accessing new markets. Information was gathered through interviews with over 50 market actors in Haiti with additional interviews of experts in the global handicraft market, with a particular focus on the US1, on trends and opportunities in the market. To permit a greater depth of analysis, interviews were limited to market actors involved in metal and papier- mâché crafts. This report focuses on the in-country assessment of the handicrafts value chain in Haiti and the stakeholder planning workshop. The end market analysis identified important opportunities for the unique crafts of Haiti to find greater market share—particularly in the home accessories markets in the U.S. The in-country analysis identified six principal constraints and opportunities for market actors to increase the competitiveness of the overall sector and to increase benefits to micro- and small enterprise (MSE) craft producers including employees of large craft production firms— focusing in particular on the U.S. home accessories markets. These constraints and opportunities are: • lack of access to product design services and timely market information for new product development • lack of capacity to identify and link with buyers in all market segments • lack of access to regular and affordable raw materials • lack of access to production financing • opportunity for intermediary agent services to link producers with foreign buyers • opportunity for designer/producers to provide design services to craft factories and workshops.... also examined closely. ... No publisher Derks, Eric USAID 2006 In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. 2008-05-31T00:04:39Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/III/A/7/a/a-value-chain-analysis-of-the-mongolian-cashmere-industry There have been numerous studies, and even more numerous recommendations, concerning the Mongolian cashmere industry. The industry has also received extensive funds, incentives, and technical assistance over the past decades. At present, however, both sectors of the industry – the herding sector and the processing sector – are in deep trouble. The herding sector may well have surpassed the total herd size that can be sustained by Mongolia’s pasture lands and its herds may already be causing desertification; yet herding is heavily subsidized. Many firms in the processing sector have ceased to operate or have downsized their operations over the past eight years, yet processors still operate on average at less than 50% capacity. About half of Mongolia’s raw cashmere, however, is smuggled to China for processing. Both segments of the market are highly distorted: both subsidized and over-taxed either implicitly or explicitly in complex ways. The Mongolian cashmere industry operates within the context of the world cashmere industry which in turn operates within the context of the world garment industry. Over the past decades there has been rapid transformation of the world garment industry: costs and prices have been driven down while the fashion cycle has accelerated. As a consequence, the relative size of market for luxury clothing has declined over time. At the same time, there has been vertical disintegration in the industry as bargaining power in the value chain has shifted to brand name holders from producers and retailers. At the same time, however, brand name holders have withdrawn from production operations and have relied more heavily on contract producers. ... No publisher Lecraw, Donald J. USAID 2005 In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. 2008-05-31T00:14:16Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/III/A/7/a/value-chain-analysis-mapping-maize-sunflower-and-cotton-chains-final-report Introduction USAID/Uganda’s 2002-2008 strategy calls for expanded sustainable economic opportunities for rural growth, promoting a connection between productive strategies by the private sector in rural areas and expansion of financial services. Rural SPEED (Savings Promotion & Enhancement of Enterprise Development) was designed to help meet this goal. Rural SPEED’s objective is to deepen and strengthen Uganda’s financial sector in response to demand for financial services in the rural economy. Increased availability of financial services would result in the growth necessary to achieve the goals of GoU’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan. Rural SPEED is engaged in four key activity areas: 1) savings mobilisation; 2) service delivery mechanisms; 3) agriculture finance; 4) new product development. This report is concerned with agricultural finance. In spite of agriculture’s being the main occupation of the majority of Ugandans and a principal engine of potential rural growth (services are also important), rural areas, and farming in particular, are not well-served by the financial sector. Currently agricultural credit accounts for less than ten percent of the total formal financial institutions’ loan portfolio. Agriculture finance has largely remained a poorly understood concept within the financial institutions. Furthermore, few actors in the financial sector realize that the full scope of agricultural finance extends beyond production to include, input supply, post harvest processing, transport, packaging, marketing, etc. Further even when considering production alone, there has been remarkable improvement in agricultural sectors, notably cotton, grains and oil seeds, over the past decade. This progress has been catalyzed by adoption of new technologies by the farmers through the past and on-going technical assistance support by development projects, improved market linkages, infrastructural improvements and better access to inputs. However, both regulated and self-regulated financial institutions largely continue to maintain the view that agriculture is risky and are thus reluctant to venture into, or reintroduce, agriculture finance products in their portfolios. This knowledge gap is largely perpetuated by the inadequate exposure to the costs and risks embedded at different points in the value chain of the agricultural commodities. Also, these institutions lack appropriate tools and mechanisms to adequately assess, mitigate and manage agriculture finance risks. With these tools agricultural finance may well become attractive, viable and sustainable. ... No publisher Pelrine, Richard John USAID 2005 In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. 2008-05-31T00:10:01Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/I/B/5/also-see-economic-growth-trade-and-markets No publisher webadmin 2006-09-21T19:32:59Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/I/A/2/c/un-economic-commission-for-europe-unece-trade UNECE Timber Committee and the FAO European Forestry Commission (in Europe, the CIS and North America) provides regional data, statistics, and information on the forests products markets (e.g., trade flow, price, secondary products), and includes information of fire statistics and sector outlook. Social and cultural issues are also examined. {http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/welcome.htm} No publisher stonyot natural resources management 2006-12-10T02:42:20Z Link http://rmportal.net/links/usaid-organizational-links-on-the-portal/ecosystem-marketplace About Ecosystem MarketplaceSM The Ecosystem Marketplace seeks to become the world's leading source of information on markets and payment schemes for ecosystem services; services such as water quality, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. We believe that by providing solid and trust-worthy information on prices, regulation, science, and other market-relevant issues, markets for ecosystem services will one day become a fundamental part of our economic and environmental system, helping give value to environmental services that have, for too long, been taken for granted. No publisher rhessmiller 2008-03-13T18:49:41Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/newsletters/links-to-portals-of-our-partners/ecosystem-marketplace The Katoomba Group's Ecosystem Martketplace. The Ecosystem Marketplace seeks to become the world's leading source of information on markets and payment schemes for ecosystem services; services such as water quality, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. We believe that by providing solid and trust-worthy information on prices, regulation, science, and other market-relevant issues, markets for ecosystem services will one day become a fundamental part of our economic and environmental system, helping give value to environmental services that have, for too long, been taken for granted. No publisher webeditor 2007-06-03T19:16:16Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/newsletters/links-to-portals-of-our-partners/forest-trends Forest Trends is an international non-profit organization that works to expand the value of forests to society; to promote sustainable forest management and conservation by creating and capturing market values for ecosystem services; to support innovative projects and companies that are developing these new markets; and to enhance the livelihoods of local communities living in and around those forests. We analyze strategic market and policy issues, catalyze connections between forward-looking producers, communities and investors, and develop new financial tools to help markets work for conservation and people. No publisher webeditor 2007-06-03T19:34:49Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/I/A/3/b/sa1 No publisher webadmin 2006-09-21T19:01:48Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/I/A/3/a/sa1 No publisher webadmin 2006-09-21T19:01:03Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/I/A/2/e/sa1 No publisher webadmin 2006-09-21T18:57:43Z Link http://rmportal.net/library/I/A/2/c/sa1 No publisher webadmin 2006-09-21T18:56:04Z Link http://rmportal.net/links/usaid-organizational-links-on-the-portal/agriculture-office USAID works with all participants in agricultural development to support efforts to increase productivity …from farmers and their organizations (including cooperatives) to scientists working to develop new, more productive varieties; from agribusinesses seeking to develop new, profitable markets to governments providing the sound legal framework within which businesses can operate; from the schools and universities that train future farmers and businesspeople to the research labs where scientists develop new technologies; and from local communities working to manage their available natural resources for sustainable production to regional organizations seeking to lower barriers to trade between countries. No publisher jdale usaid organizational links 2006-12-05T19:40:49Z Link http://rmportal.net/training/poverty-reduction-seminar/link_nrm_eg_nric-seminar-poverty USAID EGAT Bureau Office of Natural Resources Management hosted a cross-sectoral seminar series, in October 2005 to explore the links between natural resource management and poverty reduction in developing and transitional countries. Experts from both within and outside USAID shared their knowledge and tools for understanding the complex role that wise natural resource management plays in reducing poverty. The seminars explored the conflicts and barriers to improving the livelihoods of the poor, and ways of assisting them with both improving their immediate standard of living and ensuring a sustainable future. The series presented eight seminars organized around the following topics: (1) Links beteen NRM & Poverty? (2) Power and Social Dimensions; (3) Assests, Poverty Traps & Rights; (4) Markets, Trade and Poverty Reduction; (5) Migrations and Marginal Lands; (6) Macro/National Level Issues; (7) Programmatic Issues & Tools; and (8) Conflict, Corruption, NRM & Poverty Reduction. MOVED TO THE FOLDER "NATURAL RESOURCES, PROTECTED AREA AND LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT" UNDER "ENVIRONMENT" IN THE NEW LIBRARY No publisher webadmin 2006-12-01T08:01:14Z Link