Papers by Froukje Kruijssen
Capri Working Papers, 2007
The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized. However the challe... more The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized. However the challenge remains to make these markets benefit the poor and the environment. Increasing attention is being given to the potential role markets can play for agrobiodiversity conservation through product diversification and increasing competitiveness in niche and novelty markets. Several case studies were undertaken that explore the use of market-based approaches to on-farm agrobiodiversity management and livelihood improvement. This paper explores how the theory of collective action can provide a more synthetic understanding of how market chains operate, and the changes that could permit a more equitable distribution of benefits. The case studies illustrate the need for improved trust, mutual understanding of each actor's involvement, and an agreed process of collective action with a high level of community participation. The cases differ in their degree of collective action, the level of market organization and the ways in which handling, processing, and innovative marketing add value to the agrobiodiversity products. Comparative analysis identified a range of situations in which market development can support agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods.
Environmental science & technology, Jan 29, 2015
We investigated aquaculture production of Asian tiger shrimp, whiteleg shrimp, giant river prawn,... more We investigated aquaculture production of Asian tiger shrimp, whiteleg shrimp, giant river prawn, tilapia and pangasius in Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Vietnam using life cycle assessments (LCAs), with the purpose of evaluating the comparative eco-efficiency of producing different aquatic food products. Our starting hypothesis was that different production systems are associated with significantly different environmental impacts, as the production of these aquatic species differs in intensity and management practices. In order to test this hypothesis, we estimated the systems global warming, eutrophication and freshwater ecotoxicity impacts. The contribution to these impacts and the overall dispersions relative to results were propagated using Monte Carlo simulations and dependent sampling. Paired testing showed significant (p<0.05) differences between the median impacts of most production systems in the intra-species comparisons, even after a Bonferroni correction. For the fu...
Food Policy, 2009
Agriculture in Bangkok, Thailand for their contributions to the tropical fruit case studies and N... more Agriculture in Bangkok, Thailand for their contributions to the tropical fruit case studies and Nguyen Thi Le Thuy, the director of the Dong Go Research Station of the Oil Plant Institute of Vietnam for the coconut fibre case, and the officers of the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform and professors from the University of Aleppo for the cases conducted in Syria. We are also very grateful for the comments of two anonymous reviewers. Any remaining inaccuracies in this paper can only be attributed to the authors.
In this article, we examine the upgrading trajectories of selected aquaculture value chains in fo... more In this article, we examine the upgrading trajectories of selected aquaculture value chains in four Asian countries and the links between upgrading and three factors of value chain governance: coordination mechanisms; types of drivers; and domestic regulation. We find instances of improving products, processes, and value chain coordination—while " moving up " the value chain is rare. We also find that the type of value chain driver and the quality of the domestic regulatory framework are main facilitators of upgrading. We conclude by highlighting lessons on the potential, limits and risks of upgrading the " blue revolution " in Asia.
In this article, we explain what shapes food value chains through the analysis of selected aquacu... more In this article, we explain what shapes food value chains through the analysis of selected aquaculture industries in four key Asian producing countries. Worldwide production of aquatic resources has grown rapidly in the past few decades, and aquaculture production in Asia has played a decisive role in this growth. We examine the main forms of coordination found along these value chains and the role that institutional frameworks play in governing them. We observe that negative publicity, driven by NGO and media campaigns, has led to increased use of third-party certification and the adoption of public and private standards. We find that the most sophisticated aquaculture operations in Asia are found in value chains led by retailers and branded processors and where the quality of domestic institutional frameworks has facilitated compliance with increasing demands from buyers overseas. Finally, we reflect on the sustainability challenges of aquaculture and provide four broad observations on the governance of food value chains.
We investigated aquaculture production of Asian tiger shrimp, whiteleg shrimp, giant river prawn,... more We investigated aquaculture production of Asian tiger shrimp, whiteleg shrimp, giant river prawn, tilapia, and pangasius catfish in Bangladesh, China, Thailand, and Vietnam by using life cycle assessments (LCAs), with the purpose of evaluating the comparative eco-efficiency of producing different aquatic food products. Our starting hypothesis was that different production systems are associated with significantly different environmental impacts, as the production of these aquatic species differs in intensity and management practices. In order to test this hypothesis, we estimated each system's global warming, eutrophication, and freshwater ecotoxicity impacts. The contribution to these impacts and the overall dispersions relative to results were propagated by Monte Carlo simulations and dependent sampling. Paired testing showed significant (p < 0.05) differences between the median impacts of most production systems in the intraspecies comparisons, even after a Bonferroni correction. For the full distributions instead of only the median, only for Asian tiger shrimp did more than 95% of the propagated Monte Carlo results favor certain farming systems. The major environmental hot-spots driving the differences in environmental performance among systems were fishmeal from mixed fisheries for global warming, pond runoff and sediment discards for eutrophication, and agricultural pesticides, metals, benzalkonium chloride, and other chlorine-releasing compounds for freshwater ecotoxicity. The Asian aquaculture industry should therefore strive toward farming systems relying upon pelleted species-specific feeds, where the fishmeal inclusion is limited and sourced sustainably. Also, excessive nutrients should be recycled in integrated organic agriculture together with efficient aeration solutions powered by renewable energy sources.
It is widely recognised that women are significant actors in crop, livestock, pastoralist and fis... more It is widely recognised that women are significant actors in crop, livestock, pastoralist and fish systems. However, little is known about agricultural development projects which deliberately work towards gender equity in livestock and fish value chains. Research insights into gender roles and responsibilities along such chains on how gender relations at household and community level may affect women and men's access to resources for livestock production, and their relative benefits from value chain development, are often weakly integrated into development planning and practice. In order to redress the balance, a number of research and development partners are working to develop analytic frameworks and implementation guidelines to facilitate gender equity in livestock and fish value chains. This paper examines Gender integration in livestock and fisheries value chains 263 recent and ongoing work to develop tools for gender analyses in value chains and describes how they are being fed into project design. Case studies are taken from Zambia, Kenya and Egypt. (2015) 'Gender integration in livestock and fisheries value chains: emerging good practices from analysis to action', Int.
Garcinia indica, commonly known as 'kokum', is an underutilized fruit tree, native of the Western... more Garcinia indica, commonly known as 'kokum', is an underutilized fruit tree, native of the Western Ghats in India and Malaysia. In India it mainly grows in the western parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa. The fruit is used as a medicinal plant against obesity; the rind as souring and food colouring agent and fat of the seed is extracted for cosmetic and confectionery preparations. This paper presents the findings of a study conducted in Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka and Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra. It describes the production and marketing of 'kokum' by growers and collectors. In Uttara Kannada marketing of 'kokum' is severely constrained, whereas in Sindhudurg it is better organized and geared towards processed products. Interventions that could improve 'kokum' utilization in Karnataka include the organization of growers and collectors, increasing public awareness on the medicinal properties of 'kokum' and the introduction of value adding technology, which could also benefit growers in Maharashtra by reducing labour-intensity of processing.
India accounts for approximately 38% of the world mango production and is a natural home for over... more India accounts for approximately 38% of the world mango production and is a natural home for over 1,000 cultivars in this species. Among over 20 commercial cultivars, 'Totapuri' has the largest share, accounting for half of the mango area in South India. Due to a specific demand for each of these cultivars in both fresh and processed form, they support the livelihood of a diverse range of actors along the market chain. This paper presents findings of a study assessing the role of markets in maintaining varietal diversity of mango in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh where a survey was conducted among mango growers and other market chain actors. Chittoor district, part of an important mango belt, is home to over 50 mango pulp semi-processors. An analysis is presented of production and marketing practices, price spread and margins of actors in the value chain for fresh versus semi-processed mango cultivars of 'Neelam' and 'Totapuri', respectively.
In the rural areas of western India many livelihoods depend on the income earned from non-timber ... more In the rural areas of western India many livelihoods depend on the income earned from non-timber products from forest species (NTFPs) both wild and domesticated. Due to unsustainable market pressures some of the forest species that provide these NTFPs have come to near extinction. Enforcing a ban on the collection of these species is however not a desirable policy option because the use of these species is important in the provision of income, nutrition and food security and has high cultural value. The linkage of growers and collectors to the market for these products has been weak and inequitable, increasing the pressure on these species. A holistic approach is therefore proposed which includes both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies, as well as the re-governance of the market chain. Such a model necessitates the active collaboration of government agencies, NGO's, and private market intermediaries along with R&D institutional support. While international organisations are working on these models, some components of it are already in place in some locations. This paper presents the findings of a study undertaken in two hotspots for Garcinia indica, an underutilized fruit important in the south of India and uses the differences between the two sites in order to derive suitable policy recommendations. It compares two cases, one in which the model is (partially) in place and a second where this is not the case. The study highlights the institutional and marketing aspects that play a significant role in linking growers to markets more effectively and sustainably.
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Papers by Froukje Kruijssen