Aggregation models in agricultural value chains of staple crops and their potential application for biofortification: a scoping review

This review explores aggregation models in staple crop value chains (wheat, maize, cassava, rice, pearl millet and beans), including biofortified varieties. It covers 44 articles, targeting 21 countries across Asia and Africa, with contract farming as the dominant model, followed by farmer associations and producer organisations. Findings confirm that aggregation models facilitate essential services like credit access, market guarantees and agronomic training, enhancing market access and economic outcomes. Evidence for biofortified crops is limited, highlighting a critical need for tailored aggregation models. The review also maps enablers and barriers to successful aggregation, including organisational structures, farmer demographics and information access.