Smallholders and Farmworkers in Agricultural Value Chains: No Upgrading Without Collective Action and State Support

What is it about?

Our findings of a comparative study of smallholders, tenants and farm workers producing coffee, mangoes, and rice in several countries pertain to the importance of collective action by key stakeholders, including smallholders and a supportive state, for economic and social upgrading.

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Why is it important?

The study is unique in comparing smallholders that are distinguished along the axes of domestic versus international end markets and short versus long shelf lives: coffee (exports), rice (staple food, long shelf life), mangoes (short shelf life). Furthermore, it supports its empirical findings by a theoretical explanation of why economic upgrading is not sufficient to ensure social upgrading.