Resolving the disconnect between market actors, agents and brokers and small-holder fresh produce farmers in Agribusiness

Abstract

Farming contributes a good portion of African GDP and employs a substantial percentage of Africa’s labour force. African farming is characterised by smallholder farmers who sell to market actors’ agents and brokers. As a result, farmers complain of low returns on investments and cartel behaviour which discourage younger generation in venturing into farming or taking farming as business. The objective of this paper is to review the literature and suggest a model that could address the disconnect, based on the collective entrepreneurship theory. Keywords: small-holder farmers, market actors’ agents and brokers, cartel behaviour, collective entrepreneurship theory, African farming, agri-business, agro-food chains