Developing a Value Chain Model to Economically Empower Banana Farmers in Developing Countries

Based on the literature and theories, this study proposes 25 pillars of an integrated value chain model for economically empowered rural banana farming. Economic empowerment is the profitable return from farming ventures. These pillars confront the need for a competitive framework for the pre-production, production, post-harvest, and marketing of bananas. The examination of literature and theories such as M4P, Actor Network, and the Sustainable Livelihood Approach reveals fundamental pillars for the development of a value chain model for economically empowering banana farmers in developing countries. To access profitable returns, smallholder farmers require different forms of support from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), financial service providers, retailers, village resource personnel, and the government. Economic empowerment is anchored on enablers such as expertise, inputs (seeds, fertilizer, tools), equipment and machinery, markets, fair prices, favorable trade terms, a robust local economy, access to credit, loans, gender inclusivity, savings, and insurance. The model generated from previous research requires an integrated approach to test its applicability. The review of theories and literature followed a systematic review of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) with 327 articles being the closest work. Further screening was performed based on title, abstract, and year, which led to the identification of knowledge gaps from 43 related articles that were based on strategies and models to promote value chains that economically empowered farmers. Existing research has not found a model that empowers farmers economically along the value chain. This is because a review of the literature shows that existing value chains are the source of problems. This is primarily because smallholder farmers have control over a few actors in the value chain. Smallholder farmers’ voices continue to be subdued by manipulation in the order of the day.