Title: Approaching agricultural supply chain performance and strategic sustainable development

Authors: Mercedes Montero-Vega; Jose Ignacio Sánchez-Gómez

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Economics, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Abstract: In Costa Rica, a large proportion of small farmers harvest roots and tubers in some of the poorest regions of the country. Addressing this, supply chains sustainability and performance intends to analyse intrinsic characteristics and the potential socio-economic benefits and development routes, including: food security, value added, economic performance, productivity and sustainability. This research proposed a tool for the analysis of supply chain performance; composed by a Delphi study creating indicators and a gap analysis between current performance and best-possible performance. The analysis used information from: in depth interviews with stakeholders and questionnaires with farmers (128), private companies (9) and consumers (515). Finally, a workshop with all parties involved validates our tool and outcomes. Results indicate potential for better loss and waste management, (especially cassava), and a strong legislative system that sometimes limits bio-economic innovations along the supply chain, coupled with governance mechanisms that tackle development and supply chain performance.

Keywords: supply chain management; development; sustainability; roots and tubers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSCOR.2022.123858

International Journal of Supply Chain and Operations Resilience, 2022 Vol.5 No.2, pp.128 - 149

Received: 01 Jun 2021
Accepted: 16 Aug 2021
Published online: 04 Jul 2022 *