Agroecology

Work Package 3: Inclusive business models and financing strategies

Contacts: Carolina Gonzalez and Manuel Narjes (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT) 

The Latest 

Inclusive business models constitute with WP4, one of the two adaptive scaling strategies of this initiative that are conducive to agroecological transitions.  

Following are key results intended to support the development of business models that apply agroecological principles but at the same time are economically and financially sustainable:  

• A roadmap was developed for prioritizing and analyzing value chains; the work package has proposed that country teams upgrade business models.  
• A rapid agroecological value chain analysis (RAVCA) guideline that integrates the 13 agroecological principles was applied in Kenya, Peru, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe, where the prioritized value chains will serve to identify inclusive business models as a strategy for scaling agroecology  
• A holistic business model assessment tool that integrates Biovision’s Business Agroecological Criteria Tool (B-ACT) with a traditional business model canvas was developed and applied in Peru, Zimbabwe, and Tunisia.  

Four country teams identified, mapped, and analyzed value chains that show potential to be agroecologically upgraded through co-designed business models.  

The work package piloted its tool for holistic business model assessment in Peru to determine the agroecological status of an organic cacao producers’ cooperative (Colpa de Loros) and to prepare a roadmap for considering the carbon market as an alternative financial mechanism for the cooperative. 

“In Kenya, we work in Makueni county. Partners and local stakeholders selected the mango value chain, and together we realized the great level of agroecological practices that are already installed (see illustration). We found that we can strengthen linkages with private sector buyers and create micro credit facilities”,
Christine Chege (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT) 

Expected Results

• Investors, private sector, NGOs, and farmers participate equitably in partnerships to co-develop business models, linking agroecological innovations to markets and investment. 
• Investors, public sector, and farmer organizations co-design or adapt financial mechanisms that support agroecological innovations

Targets

• At least seven strategic business partnerships linking agroecological innovations to markets established and functioning. 
• At least three financial mechanisms that support adoption of agroecological innovation.