The Quiet Revolution in Staple Food Value Chains in Asia

2.1.6. Improvement of impact of policy frameworks

Recommendation: 3. Advocate to increase expenditures on research/data collection to inform investments that will affect strengthening of rural enterprise management in subjects such as transport, storage facilities, marketing of farm and non-farm products/services, distribution of seeds, etc.

Reference: Reardon, T., 2012, The Quiet Revolution in Staple Food Value Chains in Asia: Enter the Dragon, the Elephant, and the Tiger, Meta-analysis of evaluations, International Food Policy Research Institute, Manila, Covered countries: East Asian countries.

Evidence sample: Using a survey of 3,500 farmers operating in rice and potato value chains in India, Bangladesh and China, Reardon et al (2012) have confirmed that the state was instrumental in fostering private-sector involvement through investments in research and development, the distribution of seeds, infrastructure, cold storage facilities and electricity grids. The removal of restrictions on medium- and large-scale millers allowed foreign direct investment in processing and retailing, leading towards greater economies of scale and market consolidation.