Inclusive and sustainable agribusiness value chains

ITC work is based on modular approaches in order to tailor services and advice to address country- and region-specific challenges and expectations when developing value chains:

A. Designing value chain roadmaps and action plans:
ITC develops value chain roadmap solutions designed to swiftly address agribusinesses’ principal constraints and exploit opportunities for improved trade performance. Based on a market-led approach, ITC-facilitated roadmaps identify where comparative and competitive advantages can be leveraged and used to develop concrete prioritized action-oriented plans that can be implemented in a phased manner. 

B. Prioritizing potential markets and identifying product diversification opportunities:
Once market opportunities are validated during the roadmap design process, this component analyses market segments and identifies buyers' requirements. As a result, market opportunities are confirmed, target markets selected and an action plan is designed and validated by all stakeholders. During this process, agribusiness managers are exposed to the necessary export processes and regulations applicable to the priority products and target markets identified.

C. Building strategic value chain alliances and fostering public-private partnerships and investment to unlock inclusive growth
ITC has developed the Alliances for Action (A4A) methodology and a technical assistance package based on a market system partnership approach for MSME and value chain competitiveness in the context of improved sustainable participation in global value chains.

Through the Alliance, private and public actors come into action to promote competitiveness and income-risk diversification for smallholder farmers and SMEs while improving productive and commercial linkages that result in better governance for the improvement of diversified incomes, investments and inclusive growth.  The value chain operators work together and form market-led partnerships that enhance value chain systems with coordinated technical support, access to finance and investment, policy alignment and local institutional capacity building.

This results in an improved enabling environment and in commercially-led alliances between actors for improved competitiveness of MSME’s and farmer organizations.   Around these new Alliances, ITC helps MSMEs communicate with current and potential buyers to identify adequate and diversified product market combinations and distribution channels for improved value added into regional and international markets. Emphasis is put on inclusive and climate smart practices that respond to both the producer and the buyers’ requirements. The alliances seek to promote equitable, sustainable and responsible partnerships that result in upgrading of MSMEs with the ultimate objective of maximizing the benefits and value added of trade.

D. Developing sustainable agribusiness value chains and optimizing competitiveness
ITC delivers capacity building and support packages to ‘unlock’ inclusive growth and value chain competitiveness. ITC strengthens the capacity of producers, exporters, policymakers and buyers, to participate in more sustainable production and trade focusing on:
- Improving sustainability compliance: ITC Sustainability Map and networks provides comprehensive, verified and transparent information on voluntary sustainability standards.
- Strengthening quality and phytosanitary compliance: ITC supports MSMEs in complying with standards, technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, in organizing after-sales services and achieving internationally recognized certifications.
- Fostering agropreneurship: ITC helps to design and implement agropreneur support programme for women and youth.
- Integrating digital solutions: ITC assists value chain stakeholders to better understand the challenges and opportunities in using digital technologies and e-commerce.
- Maximizing trade promotion through branding and packaging: ITC helps create differentiated offerings through better marketing strategies, branding and innovation. Branding can be at the national, sectoral or agribusiness level. ITC also helps local stakeholders better apprehend the packaging value chain within the challenges imposed by environmental concerns and sustainability issues.
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