  The POPS proposal concerns those entrepreneurs who have become, or are in the process of becoming, pace setters in their communities. The problem to be addressed is what the poverty related effects directly and indirectly from SME establishment and operation may be. Focus is on problems and their solutions for a number of success stories from Kenya and Vietnam, based on entrepreneurs’ experience of networking. This particular focus derives from existing insight in the consortium. By departing from participants’ earlier experience the strong profile (Kenya and Vietnam) is supplemented with experience from European communes and SMEs. The lessons learnt will be of value for involved parties, along with their colleagues through scaling up. Lessons will also be valuable in policy formation by opening for a shift from general sector focus to targeting entrepreneurial activities of significance for poverty reduction. The basic objective to address micro-scale marketing of farm products as a way to reduce poverty will be reached jointly together with the stakeholders in a two-year interaction process.
Project objectives
Overall objective: Mobilize the entrepreneurial spirit towards poverty reduction in agro-SMEs in Vietnam and Kenya
Specific objectives:
- Review studies of market functioning for agro-SMEs and generate 50 actual case studies of successful links between agro-SMEs and markets for Vietnam and Kenya
- Conduct field survey of 50 cases, assist stakeholders to identify main issues which have obstructed they to link with markets, priority solutions and success factors
- Carry out 4 case studies of agro-SMEs: in-depth assessment for later up-scaling
- Formulate agro-SMEs support programs based on lessons learnt; then pilot design and implementation of applications
- Outline of recommendations for policy development of interventions aim at supporting agro-SMEs.
Activities
- Overview study (Month 1-2): (i) Desk research to review current, literature/database. Interview key informants, (ii) Generate about 50 success agro-SMEs, (iii) Prepare for field work
- Study of 50 success agro-SMEs (Month 3-8): (i) Field survey of 50 success cases. Analysis and reporting, (ii) Carry out 2 workshops in 2 countries. Reporting
- Study of 4 in-depth cases (Month 9-14): (i) Field survey of 4 cases, (ii) workshops/meetings at local level (2 meetings for each case), (iii) Analysis and reporting, (iv) Initial design of pilots
- Pilot design and implementation (Month 15-21): (i) Ouline agro-SMEs support program, (ii) Finalize and implement pilots for the purpose of testing
- (Month 22-24): (i) 2 final workshops in 2 countries, (ii) Final report writing up
Expected outputs
The strong emphasis on process means that stakeholders’ capacity building and awareness
+ 2 review reports, cover(i)Overview of agro-SMEs development in Vietnam and Kenya, (ii) 50 success agro-SMEs are selected according to a set of indicators
+ 2 reports for 50 success cases, cover(i)Ranked list of issues experienced by farmers and agro-SMEs to link with markets, (ii) Ranked key success factors from the 50 cases
+ Four assessment reports for four cases, cover (i) Ranked list of issues experienced by farmers and agro-SMEs to link with markets, (ii) Experience,lessons learnt from four cases
+ Working papers for designed pilots, cover (i)SMEs’ support programs for capacity building, (ii) Pilot design and implementation, (iii) Recommendations for policy development of intervention
+ Final report
Lead proponents
1. Centre for Rural Economic Development Research – Vietnam
2. Department of Water & Environmental Studies, Linkoping University, Sweden
3. University of Nairobi and the Institute of Dryland Research and Utilization - Kenya
Postal address: Room 401- A9 building, - No.2 Ngoc Ha street – Hanoi – Vietnam
E-mail address: andershiort2004@yahoo.com, ngoc_phamthibich2004@yahoo.com
Collaborators
Nam Sach District People Committee – Hai Duong – Vietnam (Agricultural Cooperatives)
Women’s Union - Hue province – Vietnam (Women entrepreneurs in food processing)
Kajiado North Division, Kajiado District – Kenya (Community groups)
Kibwezi Division, Makueni District – Kenya (Women Community Groups)
Duration
From: June 2005 to June 2007
 Setting the boundaries
Project description
Analysis
Resulting document
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