Designing value chains for sustainable rural development
11.15 - 13.15
Sektion: Ökonomie
Block: Märkte und Akteure
Claudia Kimmich, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Abstract
In recent years we have witnessed the growth of organic and sustainable agriculture. The worldwide increase in alternative agricultural production systems is going along with the growing awareness of environmental and social deficiencies. Today consumers have the possibility to express their values in purchasing decisions. Likewise one of the key dimensions of the new rural development paradigm is the emergence of alternative value chains such as organic, high quality production or direct selling. The new focus lies on a more decentralized approach taking into account the different characteristics and their potentials respectively of the rural areas.
The objective of this research is to analyze value chains in natural cosmetics and medicinal plants in terms of the inter-linkages between the actors involved. The undertaking shall give information on whether market access into these new markets of high value commodities is facilitated by direct interlinkages between the industry and the producer of the raw material. The research bases on the hypotheses that the implementation of sustainable features in agricultural production is conducted more easily by an appropriate governance structure.
As agriculture plays a crucial role in rural economies, new ways of supporting sustainable agricultural production systems may have the potential of mitigating environmental issues and poverty in rural areas.