Commercialisations
This theme examines the question of how to raise productivity in the agricultural sector, and how smallholder farmers can participate in markets and improve livelihoods. Recognising that the liberalisation orthodoxy focusing on markets has not worked (or at least only partially), we focus on institutional questions, particularly in conditions where markets are weak, thin and interlocking. 
The changing structure of the global agri-food system – and the role of supermarkets and standards in particular - is increasingly having an impact on small scale farming in the developing world. Supermarkets – and their intermediary buyers – need just-in-time production meeting exacting standards of quality, presentation and food safety.
A large literature exists on commercialisation — broadly defined as having greater engagement with markets, either for inputs, outputs, or both — of small, family farms.
Agricultural policy in Africa in the last 50 years can be broadly but usefully divided into two phases, emphasising first state-led and then market-led development. Neither has lived up to the promises made on its behalf, but policy debates have tended to set these two approaches off against each other. The weaknesses of this polarised debate are increasingly recognised, with the need for the state and market, and other players, to play separate but complementary roles. Dorward et al. (2005) argue that this complementarity is very important, but the distinction between state and market roles in development cannot be clear cut. They propose an integrated suite of eclectic measures involving different stakeholders within a robust policy paradigm of 'developmental coordination' .
Overall focus
Market Coordination
Supermarkets and Standards
