Social Learning and Peer Influence in Smallholder Commercialization
This paper examines how peer behavior influences small-scale producers’ (SSPs) decisions to purchase inputs and sell outputs in six sub-Saharan African countries. Using comparable nationally representative panel data and a correlated random effects framework, we assess the extent and shape of social interactions driving input and output market participation.
Welfare and Opportunities for Small-Scale Producers and MSMEs in Rural Africa: An Econometric Analysis
This study examines how participation in commercial agriculture and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is associated with inclusive development outcomes for small-scale producers (SSPs) across six African countries representing diverse income levels.
The hidden middle of agrifood systems: a systematic review of leading authors and policy recommendations
This report synthesizes the literature on the Hidden Middle of agrifood systems—the midstream segment that connects producers to markets through processing, logistics, and intermediation.
Evidence Review: Investments and Policies in Agrifood Chain Linkages
Agrifood systems are increasingly shaped by activities beyond the farm gate, yet the midstream and
downstream segments—known as the hidden middle—remain severely under-researched. This paper
presents a review of 276 impact evaluations and systematic reviews to assess what is currently known
about effective policies and programs targeting the hidden middle in low- and middle-income
countries. While 52% of the studies focus on smallholder-oriented interventions and 21% on public
goods, only 27% address the hidden middle, and nearly half of these concern contract farming—a
mechanism designed to bypass intermediaries rather than strengthen them. Most intervention
categories in the midstream and downstream are supported by fewer than four rigorous studies.
Moreover, services like storage, training, and market information are evaluated almost exclusively in
the context of producers, ignoring the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that dominate
the hidden middle. The paper concludes that addressing this evidence gap is essential to designing
inclusive, resilient agrifood systems and calls for a shift in research and policy focus toward the actors
and services that connect farms to markets and consumers.
Fomentando la participación de familias y comunidades indígenas en transiciones agroecológicas: Experiencias de tres territorios en Bolivia, Guatemala y México
La agroecología se distingue de otros enfoques de agricultura sostenible al centrarse en el
protagonismo de familias agricultoras y organizaciones de base campesina e indígena en los
procesos de transformación de los sistemas alimentarios. Este estudio explora diversas
estrategias para fomentar la participación de estas comunidades en transiciones agroecológicas
en territorios indígenas de México, Guatemala y Bolivia.
Sistemas agroalimentarios indígenas en transición: Experiencias de tres territorios en Bolivia, Guatemala y México
Este estudio explora la dinámica de los sistemas agroalimentarios indígenas en transición en tres
territorios latinoamericanos: Sierra Norte de Puebla (México), Alta Verapaz (Guatemala) y
Torotoro (Bolivia). Mediante encuestas a 569 agricultores indígenas, se examina cómo responden
las comunidades locales a las presiones del cambio climático, la vulnerabilidad socioeconómica y
la integración en el mercado.
The Four Indigenous Directions: Towards a Governance of Planet Earth in Balance
This document is based on Ken Paul’s presentation on sustainable governance of planet Earth and
the oceans for the meeting “Transformation of food systems: perspectives of indigenous peoples
and nations of the Americas” held in Yunguilla, Ecuador, with the participation of representatives
of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas.
Las Cuatro Direcciones Indígenas: hacia una gobernanza del planeta tierra en equilibrio
Este documento se basa en la presentación de Ken Paul sobre la gobernanza sostenible del planeta
tierra y los océanos para el encuentro “Transformación de los sistemas alimentarios: perspectivas
de Pueblos y Naciones de las Américas” llevado a cabo en Yunguilla, Ecuador, con la participación
de representantes de pueblos y naciones indígenas de las Américas.
Indigenous Rights in Latin America: Main Tools and the Challenges of their Implementation
This document is based on Kelly Ulcuango’s presentation on indigenous rights for the meeting
“Transformation of food systems: perspectives of indigenous peoples and nations of the Americas”
held in Yunguilla, Ecuador, with the participation of representatives of indigenous peoples and
nations of the Americas.
Derechos Indígenas en América Latina: Principales herramientas y los desafíos de su implementación
Este documento se basa en la presentación sobre derechos indígenas de Kelly Ulcuango para el
encuentro “Transformación de los sistemas alimentarios: perspectivas de Pueblos y Naciones de
las Américas” llevado a cabo en Yunguilla, Ecuador, con la participación de representantes de
pueblos y naciones indígenas de las Américas.