Upgrading Rural Agricultural Retail Markets

A guide to upgrading rural agricultural retail markets

Cecilia Marocchino and Olivio Argenti. FAO, 2009.

This Working Document provides methodological steps for retail market upgrading, essential for income generation activities, strengthening food security, developing rural market linkages and for mainstreaming gender issues in livelihood improvement. Rural retail markets are locations where agricultural producers, traders and consumers come together for commercial purposes: supplying, selling and buying goods. Markets also serve social purposes, playing an important role in the life of rural populations related to use, habit and tradition, and importantly by providing formal and informal temporary income-generating activities. The constraints that impede women traders access and commercial development should be addressed.