Not Just More, But Better: Rethinking Agriculture Through Value Chain

Agriculture today is no longer just about increasing production; the focus has shifted significantly towards building end-to-end value chains that link farm inputs to markets. In the past, policies prioritized boosting yields through input-intensive methods such as improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation to achieve food security. While these strategies increased food production, they often failed to address critical challenges such as post-harvest losses, price volatility, weak market linkages, and limited value addition. As a result, many farmers remained trapped in low-income cycles despite higher productivity.

The emerging approach emphasizes developing holistic value chains that integrate every stage—from input supply and production to aggregation, storage, processing, marketing, and consumption. This shift recognizes that enhancing farmer incomes, ensuring sustainability, and reducing rural poverty requires more than just growing more food.