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Smallholder Challenges of Social and Economic Upgrading in Agricultural Value Chains: A Cross-country, Cross-crop Comparison

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  • Ismail Doga Karatepe
  • Christoph Scherrer

Abstract

This study is based on field research conducted by an international team of researchers investigating the opportunities for social upgrading of smallholder farm owners and tenants and their workers in the Global South. The main objective has been to assess the influence of crop characteristics, end markets, and value chain governance (including product and process standards), as well as national political, economic, and cultural contexts, on the conditions of farmers and farmworkers. Accordingly, the selected crops differ along the axes of domestic versus international end markets and short versus long shelf-life: coffee (cash crop), rice (staple crop), and mangoes (perishable crop). The selected countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Our main findings relate to the importance of collective action by key stakeholders, including smallholders and a supportive state, for economic and social upgrading.

Suggested Citation

  • Ismail Doga Karatepe & Christoph Scherrer, 2024. "Smallholder Challenges of Social and Economic Upgrading in Agricultural Value Chains: A Cross-country, Cross-crop Comparison," Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South, vol. 13(3), pages 317-340, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:agspub:v:13:y:2024:i:3:p:317-340
    DOI: 10.1177/22779760241261445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scherrer, Christoph & Radon, Katja (ed.), 2019. "Occupational Safety and Health Challenges in Southern Agriculture," Books, Rainer Hampp Verlag, number 9783957102478.
    2. Clemens Lutz & Matthias Olthaar, 2017. "Global value chains and smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 75(3), pages 251-254, July.
    3. Swain, Braja Bandhu, 2016. "Contract Farming and Indian Agriculture: Can Agribusiness Help the Small Farmer?," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 71(3), September.
    4. Stephanie BARRIENTOS & Gary GEREFFI & Arianna ROSSI, 2011. "Economic and social upgrading in global production networks: A new paradigm for a changing world," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 150(3-4), pages 319-340, December.
    5. Bellemare, Marc F. & Bloem, Jeffrey R., 2018. "Does contract farming improve welfare? A review," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 259-271.
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Khan & Karl Behrendt & Dimitrios Papadas & Lydia Arnold & Aneela Sultana, 2025. "From Inequalities to Inclusion: Sustainable Development for Smallholders," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(S1), pages 1520-1536, November.

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