Category: Agricultural Markets

When interpretation is more important than statistics

Posted on by eMKambo

While collecting statistics through crop and livestock assessments is necessary, the most important missing link is interpreting and analyzing what is happening to different value chains. Such interpretations and analyses are the domain of crop and livestock specialists not statisticians.  Also important is capturing and analyzing market trends in order to show the return on Read more about When interpretation is more important than statistics[…]

Webs of interdependencies keep African informal economies more resilient

Posted on by eMKambo

When you see traders in African territorial markets like Mbare in Harare selling Kapenta fish (Matemba), soya chunks, plastic packaging, potatoes and eggs, chances are that those traders don’t own those commodities but have been supplied by a bigger trader on credit. The commodities are co-owned by the trader and the supplier, based on long-term Read more about Webs of interdependencies keep African informal economies more resilient[…]

Headaches and pathways of translating infrastructure into better lives

Posted on by eMKambo

While infrastructure like road highways and irrigation systems continue to receive much attention, funding and media coverage, it has taken long for most intended beneficiaries to benefit directly from such investments. After investing infrastructure, most development organizations do not think about the sustainability model. The utilization of resources is more critical than just investing in Read more about Headaches and pathways of translating infrastructure into better lives[…]

How African territorial markets are quietly rewriting socio-economic rules

Posted on by eMKambo

Being self-organized for decades has enabled most African territorial markets to write their own socio-economic rules in ways that are contrary to formal systems that African governments borrowed from colonialism without questioning. For instance, whereas formal business often at 8am and close at 5pm, most African territorial markets operate 24/7 with restocking happening throughout the Read more about How African territorial markets are quietly rewriting socio-economic rules[…]

Making market infrastructure fit for purpose through consultative processes

Posted on by eMKambo

One of the major reasons why African countries are littered with abandoned market sheds intended for the poor is because these structures are set up without sufficient consultation. Those with a lot of money think they know what poor people need and quickly build what they call ‘world-class’ markets when what is needed are simple Read more about Making market infrastructure fit for purpose through consultative processes[…]

The underestimated role of traditional medicine in shaping local wellbeing

Posted on by eMKambo

In most African communities, traditional medicine and indigenous herbs are in integral component of local well-being. Any conversation about local food systems which does not mention the role of traditional medicine and indigenous herbs is incomplete. However, there has been limited research on the trade and consumption of traditional medicine and indigenous herbs including how Read more about The underestimated role of traditional medicine in shaping local wellbeing[…]

What does knowledge mean when African scholars are not keen to understand informal economies?

Posted on by eMKambo

If African scholars were more interested in studying informal economies and territorial markets, by now, there would be abundant literature on these important post-colonial institutions. Instead, African scholars are more interested in studying formal institutions and citing textbooks and journals from the Global North. The fact that there are no books about Binga district doesn’t Read more about What does knowledge mean when African scholars are not keen to understand informal economies?[…]

Transporters as unique knowledge brokers in African markets and food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

The process of moving food commodities from production areas to markets is rich with unique knowledge which you may not hear from farmers or traders but from transporters. In most value chain studies, transporters are often overlooked as key informants yet they get information from diverse actors and sources such as farmers, traders, other transporters, Read more about Transporters as unique knowledge brokers in African markets and food systems[…]

How colonialists used their language to undermine indigenous food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

In many African countries, colonialists did not just take the best land for producing their own food and raw materials for their own industries. They went further and used their own language to stigmatize indigenous food so that the young generation of Africans would completely delink themselves from food that is an integral part of Read more about How colonialists used their language to undermine indigenous food systems[…]

Domesticating wild animals and plants can strengthen African food systems

Posted on by eMKambo

For African countries that are preserving their biodiversity, domesticating wild animals and plants can be a promising avenue for strengthening food systems and creating totally new value chains. That will also liberate African communities from depending on corporate hybrids that are causing several health challenges to many populations. What prevents African countries from producing diverse Read more about Domesticating wild animals and plants can strengthen African food systems[…]