Value Chains

USAID ATP Value Chains

The grain value chain includes a number of related crops that are similar in supply chains, financial constraints and (to a lesser extent) production zones. USAID ATP focuses mainly on maize for human consumption (as a starch), for animal consumption, for oil, and in breweries. The project’s interventions, i.e., preserving harvests, credit-storage programs, processing, and trade, can be applied to other dry grains and to rice.

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This value chain includes cattle, sheep and goats that are transported live from producing countries to coastal countries. Live animal trade will continue to be the prevailing form of livestock trade over long distances in the coming years and USAID ATP also targets ruminant animals’ red meat as an important component of the value chain. The final delivery points are large coastal cities with concentrated populations of higher-income consumers who are willing to pay for more expensive cuts of high-quality frozen meat.

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These two similar value chains are characterized by their production in Sahelian, semi-arid zones with good access to water. As dry season vegetable crops, onion and shallot are important for small producers, whose main crops in the rainy season are grains or grains interspersed with legumes. Onion and shallot have the same end use, as ingredients for sauces, which are key ingredients in regional cuisine.  

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USAID E-ATP Value Chains

The grain value chain includes a number of related crops that are similar in supply chains, financial constraints and (to a lesser extent) production zones. USAID ATP focuses mainly on maize for human consumption (as a starch), for animal consumption, for oil, and in breweries. The project’s interventions, i.e., preserving harvests, credit-storage programs, processing, and trade, can be applied to other dry grains and to rice.

 More on Rice of West Africa

The project’s studies indicate the best way to achieve increases in poultry productivity, marketed surplus, and intraregional trade is to focus on the modern poultry sector, rather than the traditional raising of unimproved local breeds and long-distance marketing of live birds (with all of the attendant biosecurity risks).  Participants in the modern poultry sector are the most progressive and amenable to change and improvements.

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The millet/sorghum value chain produces staple foods for millions of West Africans and is of vital importance to the region’s economy.  Additionally, processed products derived from millet/sorghum have the potential to compete with rice and other food preparations for a greater share of household consumption spending. In fact, anecdotal evidence suggests that urban demand across the region currently outstrips production.

 More on Millet of West Africa