The growing importance of global value chains has gained attention of policy makers, international organizations, as well as consumers. While policy makers have been challenged to enact and implement regulations that can ensure food safety and food security along agro-food chains, the monitoring and implementation of such policy efforts often go beyond the scope of local governments. Moreover, there is pressure on governments, industry players, and business communities to include primary producers and haulers of raw materials (mostly smallholder farmers) in decision-making processes. International donors, NGOs and related pressure groups are increasingly calling for inclusive value chain partnerships in agro-food commodities, especially in developing economies.
