Market Mechanisms to Improve Food Security: Zimbabwe

November 12, 2012

by Bronwyn Irwin

Outline

• Big Picture – markets approach with vulnerable populations

• Example – Market Mechanisms to Achieve Food Security in Zimbabwe

Using a Market Approach with Vulnerable Populations

• Goal to increase incomes• Target productive

populations

Value Chain

Programs

• Goal to improve nutrition and food security

• Target vulnerable populations

Food Security

Programs

Reaching Vulnerable

Populations with Market

Based Approaches

Key Challenges

• Geographic Targeting• Value Chain Selection• Beneficiary Targeting• Competitiveness

Food Price Impact

• Vulnerable households are net food purchasers and many spend 60-80% of their income on food.

• Food prices impact their purchasing power.• Vulnerable households liquidate productive assets

to purchase food.• Vulnerable households are less likely to have the

resources and are less willing to risk engagement in market-based activities.

Indirect Impact through Food Prices

- Improve farm-level productivity- Improve market linkages between surplus

and deficit areas

Zimbabwe Case Study

• Strengthen the Capacity of Small Traders• Improve Household Purchasing Power• Strengthen Government Food Policies

Value Chain Wiki

Thanks!

Bronwyn Irwin

Senior Technical Director, Enterprise Development

birwin@acdivoca.org

Since 1963 and in 145 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people to succeed in the global economy.