The modernization of the rice value chain in Senegal: A move towards the Asian Quiet Revolution?

Abstract

Motivation:The modernization of domestic food chains in India, Bangladesh and the People's Republic of China is characterized by technological change and the integration of the collection function by the midstream segment. This has improved product quality and resulted in increased value added for value chain (VC) actors. In Africa, since the first world food crisis, governments have endeavoured to develop domestic value chains. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the dynamics of the rice value chain in Senegal in order to see the extent to which it follows the same trends as in Asia. Approach and methods: We have completed the paradigm of Structure-Conduct-Performance with the Global Value Chain analysis framework, which highlights the influence that one stakeholder in a steering position can have on the distribution of tasks, skills and margins among the actors in the chain. We conducted 154 qualitative interviews to understand changes in governance. We also used data about 913 stakeholders to assess the competitiveness of the value chain. Findings: We found that the Senegalese rice value chain is undergoing modernization as in Asia. Nevertheless, in Senegal, (a) midstream actors already carried out paddy collection through spot transactions with a trend towards relational governance, (b) credit policies contributed directly to the shift in governance towards integration, and (c) the modern rice VC was able to compete in terms of cost with imports thanks to state intervention. Policy implications: In order to improve the competitiveness of this value chain, we recommend the inclusion of small-scale processors in the modernization process through improved access to credit. We also suggest carrying out feasibility studies relating to the use of small-scale mechanization.

The role of small and medium agrifood enterprises in food systems transformation: the case of rice processors in Senegal

“…Indeed, both contract farming and vertical integration have increased in the region, but the former has occurred at a more rapid pace than the latter. Vertical integration has expanded in the SRV as millers seek to secure supply, but it has been hindered so far by access to land (Soullier and Moustier, 2015).…”

Les effets des investissements d’agrobusiness sur les agriculteurs familiaux. Le cas de la vallée du fleuve Sénégal

“…Le terrain d'étude est le Delta du fleuve Sénégal, où trois chaînes de valeur sont concernées par des investissements d'AB: la chaîne de valeur du riz (Soullier and Moustier, 2015), la chaîne de valeur des agrocarburants (Actionaid, 2014) et la chaîne de valeur des produits maraîchers, en particulier de la tomate et de l'oignon (Van den Broeck et al, 2017). Nous utilisons une approche mixte.…”

“…7 Les impacts de la coordination verticale sont estimés en corrigeant le biais de sélection avec un modèle à variable instrumentale 8 et un modèle d'appariement au score de propension 9 . (Soullier and Moustier, 2015). La technique utilisée ne réalisait que le décorticage, ce qui générait un riz comportant des impuretés.…”

Trust in agri-food value chains: a systematic review

“…Not surprisingly, the importance of trust has already led to calls for further research on the role of trust in relation to specific developments, e.g. digitalisation (Fielke et al 2020), in governance networks (Pilbeam et al, 2012), and collective action to enhance smallholder integration in value chains (Bosc et al, 2017;Kilelu et al, 2017;Soullier and Moustier, 2021). Responding to such calls, this paper aims to systematically review and explore the literature on trust in agri-food value chains to provide a solid knowledge basis for future studies into more specific aspects of trust.…”