1. Introduction: business services for small enterprises in Asia

Downing, Jeanne

doi:10.3362/9781780443850.001

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…The cost of a unit (service or product) may also be reduced through 'bundling' mechanization services with complementary packages of inputs and materials, assistance in marketing produce, financial services and general advisory service support. A form of bundling, which is likely to appeal to customers, is the integrated provision services through support centres that offer a range of goods and services as a 'one-stop shop' where constraints can be addressed in an orchestrated manner (Downing 2001;Sims et al 2011). In areas where markets are weak, and where smallholders face difficulties in paying for knowledge-based support services (e.g., information, training, advisory services), these services may be 'embedded' in a commercial transaction in order for them to be affordable to smallholders (Tanburn 2002;Hitchins et al 2005;Kahan 2007Kahan , 2011.…”

Section: Ensuring the Viability Of Private Sector Business Modelsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In weak, risky and distorted markets where the private sector is reluctant to invest, public sector support may be needed to 'kick-start' development. Subsidies may create awareness of the new technologies and develop the market, but a time limit would need to be set for phasing subsidies out (Tanburn 2002;Gibson 2001;Downing 2001;Meyer-Stammer 2006;Kahan 2007;DFID and SDC 2008). The challenge is how best to design 'smart' subsidies in a way that develops rather than distorts the market for mechanization services.…”

Section: Ensuring the Viability Of Private Sector Business Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Re-examining appropriate mechanization in Eastern and Southern Africa: two-wheel tractors, conservation agriculture, and private sector involvement

Baudron

Sims²,

Justice³

et al. 2015

Food Sec.

137

177

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The need for sustainable intensification in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) is widely recognized as a requirement to achieve food security with minimum negative social and environmental consequences. In current Research & Development programs, much emphasis is placed on increasing the efficiency with which land, water and nutrients are used, whereas farm power appears to be a 'forgotten resource'. This is a major concern when farm power in ESA countries is declining due to the collapse of most tractor hire schemes, the decline in number of draught animals and the growing shortage of human labour. A consequence of low levels of farm mechanization is high labour drudgery, which makes farming unattractive to the youth and disproportionally affects women. Undoubtedly, sustainable intensification in ESA will require an improvement in access to farm power. In this paper, we suggest this can be achieved through the use of small, multipurpose and inexpensive power sources such as two-wheel tractors (2WTs) coupled with the promotion of energy saving technologies such as conservation agriculture (CA), whilst ensuring the profitability for farmers, service providers and other private sector actors in the supply chain. We argue that appropriate mechanization in Africa, a paradigm largely abandoned three decades ago, may be re-examined through the combination of these three elements.

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Section: Ensuring the Viability Of Private Sector Business Modelsmentioning

confidence: 98%