Smallholders’ Personal Networks in Access to Agricultural Markets: A Case of African Leafy Vegetables Commercialisation in Kenya

Catherine Mawia Mwema, Wibke Crewett and Job Lagat

Journal of Development Studies, 2021, vol. 57, issue 12, 2063-2076

Abstract: We innovatively applied a bifocal approach to network analysis – integrating qualitative and quantitative data – to assess smallholders’ personal networks in access to markets. Exploring a case of conventional and institutional markets for leafy vegetables, we found close networks of family members, friends and neighbors, as gatekeepers in access to institutional markets. Beyond farmer groups, non-farmer groups and religious networks are strategic networks facilitating bulk purchases and linking smallholders to markets. We recommend that policy and programs aimed at smallholders' market development should employ strategies targeted at both farmer groups and non-farm associations, among farming communities.

Date: 2021
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/00220388.2021.1971650 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:57:y:2021:i:12:p:2063-2076

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/FJDS20

DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2021.1971650

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Development Studies is currently edited by Howard White, Oliver Morrissey and Ken Shadlen

More articles in Journal of Development Studies from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().