Making Markets Work for the Poor………. Pie in the sky or realistic aim?

Why do markets matter to the poor?

Why are markets important to Practical Action? For every $1 generated through agricultural production, market linkages can add another $3 to the rural economy.

Trade Justice isn’t enough…….. …”even if unjust trade rules were to be reformed, disparities in bargaining power, scale, market access, information or access to credit, may still entrench anti-poor and anti-rural bias in markets” IIED 2003

The poor often don’t benefit from markets  Business environments are “disabling”  Market opportunities are unknown  Lack of trust and co-ordination in market chains  No access to services like technical training and skill development.

How Practical Action helps poor people address these challenges….

Building capacity of poor producers in markets Zimbabwe Beekeepers Association  access new markets  supply bulk orders  training on quality

Creating markets for technical services Improved extension services for Peruvian dairy farmers

Addressing policy barriers………. Tackling trade restrictions for aloe harvesters in Kenya

Our aim………. that smallscale producer acquire the skills, knowledge and organisational capability to earn greater income, more reliably, from selling produce profitably in existing and new markets.

Making Markets Work for the Poor Food Processing in Bangladesh

Bangladesh

BACKGROUND  Practical Action has been working in this area for 15 years.  The focus of the work is to offer poor communities the information and skills needed to set up a successful food processing business

PROGRAMME ACHIEVEMENTS Trained 412 staff of 120 partner organizations. 30,000 beneficiaries 4300 small enterprises set up 74 training courses 45 technical booklets- 225,000 distributed or sold

Building sustainable livelihoods: Piara Begum’s story

Practical Action works with local organisations (‘service providers’) who help poor people to establish enterprises

Building on Practical Action’s support, Piara developed a thriving bakery business

THE DIFFERENCE TO PIARA’S LIFE

CHALLENGES  How can Piara stay innovative, competitive and respond to the market?  What ongoing support /services does she need for that?