The Dynamics of Linkages and Innovativeness in Publicly and Privately Driven Agricultural Value Chains

Abstract

The study examined how linkages among actors in the cocoa and pineapple value chains relate to the innovativeness of actors in the chains. The study showed that a policy environment that promoted public sector leadership in value chain functions and service provision, tended to offer less incentives for smallholder producers in the value chain to forge linkages and interact horizontally or vertically. It concluded that actors in agricultural value chain could build their capacity to respond to challenges if they united their efforts. In terms of policy implication, the study makes a case for more private sector involvement in value chain functions and service provision as it is more likely to foster linkages towards systems innovation.Key words: Linkages, Innovativeness, Publicly and Privately Driven Agricultural Value Chains,