Blended
Inclusive market development
The principal question that will be addressed is how fresh food markets can be used as instruments to reduce poverty. This question is approached in a conceptual as well as a practical ‘hands-on’ manner in analysing selected local ‘Product-Market Combinations’.
A related question in this context is how to ensure that fresh food will not go to waste. Therefore, another emphasis in the course programme will be on how existing agribusinesses can improve their performance.
Ultimately the question of impact in these areas will be addressed. This will be tackled through the development of a Strategic Action Plan with which the course programme will be concluded.
What will you learn?
Participants responsible for shaping the environment in which private sector driven innovations in agrifood value chains can take shape, that improve food & nutrition security, will increase their knowledge, improve their skills and enlarge their toolkit through:
- Being exposed to and having practiced with new conceptual frameworks and models to identify opportunities for poverty alleviation;
- Being sensitized to imperfections within value chains of locally traded produce, and on how these issues can be addressed;
- Having practiced with participatory approaches and methodologies for analysis, and a strategic action planning process that initiate positive change;
- Having practiced with a methodology able to assess the performance of agribusinesses.
For who is this course?
The course is designed for:
- Policy staff responsible for the planning and/or design of strategic development policies;
- Development practitioners responsible for the management of rural development projects;
- Staff of institutes of vocational & higher education and research;
- Staff of service providers, civil society organisations and business associations.
Applicants should have a BSc or an equivalent academic and have at least three years of professional experience. Competence in the English language is required
Course programme in more detail
Trust among actors in agri-food chains is often not very high. This is caused by the low number of transactions between actors of agri-food value chains, the long distance between producer and end markets, and the general lack of understanding and, therefore, appreciation of each other’s roles. In these situations, all chain actors first of all try to protect their interests as much as possible. As a result, opportunistic behaviour among chain actors is rampant, and cooperation is virtually non-existent. The costs of marketing in these types of fresh produce chains are extremely high, resulting in a combination of very high price levels and very low margins at almost all levels of the chain.
Course formats
Our courses are offered in two formats: online or blended. A course taught in a blended format is taught partially online and partially in person. Check the course details for more information about whether it is taught in online or blended format.
Application for this course
On top of this page you can apply for the course Inclusive Market Development. Depending on your nationality, your organisation and the type of course you wish to join, your eligibility and the application procedures may differ. Find out more about the requirements and the application process.