Abstract

Building Businesses with Small Producers presents the findings and a comparative analysis of seven case studies that challenge current beliefs about good practice in the provision of business development services (BDS) to small and microenterprises. The book also highlights issues concerning the assessment of impact, sustainability and cost-effectiveness of such services. Each case study - from Bolivia, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe - shows how small producers were introduced to new production and marketing systems and how private sector participation was successfully promoted. The analysis of these experiences looks at the feasibility of market-based BDS provision and the role of non-governmental organizations in building BDS markets. The analysis presented here reminds us that, to provide effective assistance to small producers, business development services often need to be provided in a multi-faceted and flexible manner.