Title: Evolution of Badia small-scale producers in restructured agro-food market in Jordan

Authors: Salem Al-Oun

Addresses: Business Administration Department, Faculty of Finance and Business Administration, Al Al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq, 25113, Jordan

Abstract: Based on field research in the Badia of Jordan and the first of its kind, the present study specifically addresses the evolution of a supply chain, criteria of participation, transaction requirements, sourcing, organisational changes, and small farmers| capacity and upgrading. Evolution was encouraged when a collective action of Badia farmers was facilitated by a local NGO. The data was elicited from archives, semi-structured interviews, PRA, and survey with 118 subjects carried out during the months of March-June 2007. Data analysis included actor network matrix, mapping the chain, timeline analysis was used to tabulate and index events and history in time for each chains, and descriptive qualitative analysis. Findings suggested that evolution of the chain led to organisational changes and financial benefits for small scale-producers, households, and NGO. One of the major factors that explain the small-scale producers are included is basically price. Benefits of inclusion were higher net income, net assets, access to new services, enhancing the living standards, and autonomy in decision-making, which are all sustainable. Recommendations suggest emphasis on supporting farmers and producers with continuous technical training, supervision, and assistance and loans.

Keywords: small-scale producers; supply chain evolution; agro-food markets; sheep cheese; restructured markets; business performance; supply chain modelling; supply chain management; SCM; Badia; Jordan; small farmers; organisational change; financial benefits; technical training; supervision.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPSCM.2011.042011

International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, 2011 Vol.3 No.3, pp.270 - 296

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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