Short Supply-Chains and Public-Co-operative Partnerships

This paper introduces a research effort as part of a EUR7m EU-funded project entitled ‘Strength2Food’. It seeks to promote co-operative development and improve farmers’ incomes through short supply-chains, public... [ view full abstract ]

This paper introduces a research effort as part of a EUR7m EU-funded project entitled ‘Strength2Food’. It seeks to promote co-operative development and improve farmers’ incomes through short supply-chains, public procurement and strategic growth. Agricultural production in many parts of Serbia suffers from the problems of small scale, lack of intensive production, lack of co-ordination and poor security of demand. This research intervention seeks to overcome these difficulties through innovative partnership and collaborative working. There are a number of elements. The first involves the co-ordination of local farmers through a co-operative to fulfil a supply contract to local schools with the local municipality. The second is a parallel arrangement with the Ministry and the municipality to guarantee this supply contract. The third is a much-needed arrangement to provide more nutritious food for schoolchildren.
This paper introduces the conceptual framework of win-wins behind these sets of arrangements and the subsequent propositions that the research will seek to test. Conceptually it will examine such issues as the development of complex adaptive systems within the web of local economic, political and social networks. Empirically it will focus on the balance between security of demand and security of supply, the provision of a baseline income, the extent to which this leads to opportunities strategic investment and growth, and whether these opportunities are exploited. The project will seek to:
- Build stronger partnerships between the municipality and its communities
- Enhance farmer co-operation through clearly-defined, shared goals
- Raise farmers’ incomes and acknowledge the dignity in their labour
- Greatly enhance the quality of food for schoolchildren
If successful, this would provide a beacon of good practice both within and beyond Serbia. Colleagues will be asked to comment on the framework and make suggestions for project actions. The project will take place over 5 years. It will involve action research, formative and summative evaluation, and detailed theoretical development. This will be closely linked to scientific and practical knowledge from the other 37 project partners in Strength2Food across 11 countries.