Inclusive value chain development: experience of participatory market system development approach in Bangladesh

01.01.2018
The aim of this article is to reflect lessons learned in developing an inclusive value chain through participatory market system development (PMSD) by Practical Action in Bangladesh. PMSD contains 10 structured sequences of steps (called a roadmap). This article captures eight steps of PMSD, which are Market system selection, Preliminary mapping and analysis, Strategic design and planning, Empowering marginalized actors, Engaging key actors, Participatory market mapping (PMM), Participatory planning, and Facilitating changes. Through PMSD we are selecting viable market systems for small-scale farmers; developing preliminary market maps, interventions, and sales and service centres for their empowerment; engaging value chain actors; organizing PMM workshops with market actors; and facilitating farmers’ groups to develop production plans. The challenges we face are: analysis and preparation of reports on all subsectors; the short time duration for intervention design; unskilled staff members of partner NGOs and, at the beginning, less cooperation from public and private sectors; ensuring participation of local government representatives and government officers; organizing follow-up PMM workshops at Upazila and district level; and involving traders to aggregate input demand and supply of product.