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IFAD Research Series 78: The Small and Medium Enterprises’ quiet revolution in the hidden middle of food systems in developing regions

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  • Reardon, Thomas
  • Liverpool-Tasie, Saweda
  • Minten, Bart

Abstract

Food systems are made up of a cluster of different value chains, including output, lateral, and research and development. This paper explores the rise of SMEs in transforming food systems—from traditional, to transitional, to modern. It discusses SMEs roles in the evolution, structure, and conduct of each segment of the midstream. It examines the impacts of the rise of midstream SMEs on employment, small farms, the environment and consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Reardon, Thomas & Liverpool-Tasie, Saweda & Minten, Bart, 2022. "IFAD Research Series 78: The Small and Medium Enterprises’ quiet revolution in the hidden middle of food systems in developing regions," IFAD Research Series 321998, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:unadrs:321998
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.321998
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    22. Reardon, Thomas & Echeverria, Ruben & Berdegué, Julio & Minten, Bart & Liverpool-Tasie, Saweda & Tschirley, David & Zilberman, David, 2019. "Rapid transformation of food systems in developing regions: Highlighting the role of agricultural research & innovations," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 47-59.
    23. Pingali, Prabhu, 2007. "Westernization of Asian diets and the transformation of food systems: Implications for research and policy," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 281-298, June.
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    25. Clay, Daniel & Reardon, Thomas & Kangasniemi, Jaakko, 1998. "Sustainable Intensification in the Highland Tropics: Rwandan Farmers' Investments in Land Conservation and Soil Fertility," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 46(2), pages 351-377, January.
    26. Christine M. Sauer & Thomas Reardon & David Tschirley & Saweda Liverpool‐Tasie & Titus Awokuse & Roselyne Alphonce & Daniel Ndyetabula & Betty Waized, 2021. "Consumption of processed food & food away from home in big cities, small towns, and rural areas of Tanzania," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(5), pages 749-770, September.
    27. Minten, Bart & Reardon, Thomas & Singh, K.M. & Sutradhar, Rajib, 2012. "The New and Changing Roles of Cold Storages in the Potato Supply Chain in Bihar," MPRA Paper 61109, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 14 Sep 2014.
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    29. Thomas Reardon & C. Peter Timmer, 2012. "The Economics of the Food System Revolution," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 4(1), pages 225-264, August.
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    Keywords

    Agricultural and Food Policy; Community/Rural/Urban Development; Production Economics;
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