Impact assessment of agriculture value chain development of spices, and its potential impact on the local communities in Bundelkhand, India
Student name: Ms Anshula Thakwani
Guide: Dr Chubamenla Jamir
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: Society for Development Alternatives, New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Mayukh Hajra
Abstract: The semi-arid and poor region of Bundelkhand is characterised by high levels of poverty and
low human development indicators. The local economy is agriculture based and more than 70
percent of the population in the region depends on agriculture and allied activities for a
livelihood. Industry is almost absent here. Some of the key causes of abject poverty are
distress in the farming sector, non–availability of non-farming opportunities, poor skills and
capacities, social discrimination against women, etc. This deplorable situation coupled with
degrading natural resource base has set in place vicious cycles of poverty and debt for the
community.
There is a high potential to create jobs and increase farm incomes through an overall
Agriculture value chain development for poverty alleviation in the region. Bundelkhand has
high quality spice production and communities are not maximising the benefit of this
produce.
The study examines the agriculture-value chain development of spices and its potential
impact on the local communities
The key findings of this study show that agriculture value chain development, not only
enhanced the incomes of the local population by extracting more potential out of the raw
produce, it also increased the diversity of non-farming job opportunities with the
establishment of new enterprises and the subsequent creation of new jobs. These initiatives
are easy to scale, thus upscaling to bigger regions should provide similar benefits to the
regional economy and community. In addition, these enhanced incomes provided the local
households with more disposable income to spend on education, healthcare and social
welfare, thus improving other aspects of their livelihood. New employment opportunities for
the women in the local community has also helped in their economic empowerment,
and provided a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive
economic growth.
Keywords: Agriculture value addition, spices, smallholder farmers, enhanced income,
sustainable livelihood.
