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Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains for Sustainable Food Systems: Lessons from Global Projects

3 min read Article by Donald Yakumbur | Programme Management and Value Chain Expert

Photo Credit: Farming First
Introduction
The world's population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, putting immense pressure on the global food system (FAO, 2017). To meet this demand, agricultural production must increase sustainably, ensuring food security and minimizing environmental degradation. Agricultural value chains (AVCs) play a critical role in achieving this goal. This article explores the nexus between AVCs and sustainable food systems, highlighting successful projects from international organizations such as International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and French Development Agency (AFD).

Agricultural Value Chains and Sustainable Food Systems
AVCs encompass all activities involved in producing, processing, and delivering agricultural products to consumers (FAO, 2014). Strengthening AVCs is essential for sustainable food systems, as it can improve farmers' incomes, increase food availability, and reduce post-harvest losses (IFAD, 2019). Sustainable food systems, in turn, prioritize environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic viability (WFP, 2018).

Key Components of Agricultural Value Chains

1. Production: This stage involves the cultivation of crops and rearing of livestock.
2. Processing: This stage involves the transformation of raw agricultural products into consumable goods.
3. Marketing: This stage involves the promotion and sale of agricultural products to consumers.
4. Distribution: This stage involves the transportation of agricultural products from producers to consumers.

Case Studies

1. IFAD's Rural Development Project in Rwanda: This project strengthened AVCs for maize, beans, and cassava, benefiting over 100,000 smallholder farmers. Farmers' incomes increased by 30%, and food security improved significantly (IFAD, 2020).
   Impact:
   - Increased farmers' incomes by 30%
   - Improved food security for over 100,000 households
   - Enhanced agricultural productivity and efficiency
2. FAO's Support to the Development of the Agricultural Sector in Somalia: This project enhanced AVCs for livestock and fisheries, improving the livelihoods of pastoralists and fishers. The project also promoted sustainable agricultural practices and increased food availability (FAO, 2020).
   Impact:
   - Improved livelihoods for over 50,000 pastoralists and fishers
   - Increased food availability and access to markets
   - Promoted sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient agriculture
3. WFP's Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) Program in Kenya: The FFA program strengthened AVCs for maize, beans, and sorghum, while also promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security. Over 10,000 smallholder farmers benefited from the program (WFP, 2020).
   Impact:
   - Improved food security for over 10,000 households
   - Increased farmers' incomes and access to markets
   - Promoted sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient agriculture
4. World Bank's Agricultural Productivity and Food Security Project in Ghana: This project improved AVCs for maize, rice, and soybeans, increasing farmers' incomes and food availability. The project also promoted sustainable agricultural practices and climate-smart agriculture (World Bank, 2020).
   Impact:
   - Increased farmers' incomes by 25%
   - Improved food availability and access to markets
   - Promoted sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient agriculture
5. AfDB's Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria: This project strengthened AVCs for rice, maize, and soybeans, benefiting over 1 million smallholder farmers. The project also promoted sustainable agricultural practices and improved food security (AfDB, 2020).
   Impact:
   - Improved food security for over 1 million households
   - Increased farmers' incomes and access to markets
   - Promoted sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient agriculture
6. AFD's Support to the Agricultural Sector in Senegal: This project enhanced AVCs for rice, maize, and millet, improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The project also promoted sustainable agricultural practices and increased food availability (AFD, 2020).
   Impact:
   - Improved livelihoods for over 50,000 smallholder farmers
   - Increased food availability and access to markets
   - Promoted sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient agriculture

Lessons Learned

1. Strengthening AVCs requires a holistic approach: This involves improving production, processing, marketing, and distribution stages.
2. Sustainable agricultural practices are essential: These practices reduce environmental degradation and improve farmers' livelihoods.
3. Climate-smart agriculture is critical: This approach helps farmers adapt to climate change and improve agricultural productivity.
4. Supporting smallholder farmers is vital: These farmers are critical to achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Conclusion

Strengthening agricultural value chains is critical for achieving sustainable food systems. The case studies highlighted above demonstrate the impact of well-designed projects on farmers' incomes, food security, and environmental sustainability. International organizations, governments, and other stakeholders must continue to invest in AVCs, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and climate-smart agriculture. By doing so, we can ensure a food-secure future for generations to come.

For more information, contact:
Phone number: +2348038945237
Email: d.yakumbur@changemakersconsultingltd.org

For more reading visit:

AfDB (2020). Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria. Abidjan: African Development Bank.

AFD (2020). Support to the Agricultural Sector in Senegal. Paris: Agence Française de Développement.

FAO (2014). Agricultural Value Chain Development. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

FAO (2017). The Future of Food and Agriculture: Trends and Challenges. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

FAO (2020). Support to the Development of the Agricultural Sector in Somalia. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

IFAD (2019). Agricultural Value Chain Development: A Guide for Practitioners. Rome: International Fund for Agricultural Development. ‎
 

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Author:

Donald Yakumbur | Programme Management and Value Chain Expert

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Donald has successfully conducted field consultations, stakeholder engagements, and data-driven assessments to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and sustainable value chain development. His expertise spans across smallholder farmer inclusion, SME growth, market linkages, and policy implementation, making him a strong asset for the Baseline Study on Grains Production in Nigeria.
Donald has led field studies, household surveys, and qualitative research in rural communities, applying Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and geospatial analysis to assess agricultural trends. His field experience includes working in fragile states such as Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara for IFAD and AFD’s Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN) program where he conducted Value Chain Assessments covering rice, maize, millet, cowpea, sorghum, groundnuts, vegetables and small ruminants. On the same VCN programme he also conducted a Gender Fragility and Conflict Assessment in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
He is proficient in survey design, data collection frameworks, and statistical analysis using tools such as Kobo toolbox and Excel. His ability to synthesize findings into actionable insights has informed key agricultural development strategies and policy reforms.
Donald has played a critical role in multi-stakeholder coordination for agricultural projects, engaging government agencies, farmer organizations, private sector actors, and development partners. In addition to the VCN, he has supported other IFAD interventions in the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ IFAD cofinanced with AfDB and IsDB) programs been implemented in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, and Taraba states providing technical advisory, progress reporting, supervisions, implementation support and validation of research findings.
His contributions to the 2024–2029 IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) highlight his policy expertise, particularly in financial inclusion, market access, and gender-responsive agricultural development.