Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships

??We are excited to share that our Market Systems Development (MSD) 101 Brief is now available en fran?ais y espa?ol. This concise 7-page brief distills the essential concepts of the MSD approach, aiming to present these ideas straightforwardly to foster a shared understanding of MSD, especially for those who may be unfamiliar with its terminology and principles. Please help us share this widely with colleagues, partners, and projects who could benefit from having this brief in French and Spanish. French brief: https://lnkd.in/g8K3D3bk Spanish brief: https://lnkd.in/gD9Y-wSF For more MSD-related resources in French and Spanish, be sure to check out our French and Spanish resource landing pages: https://lnkd.in/eHMdtVPg and https://lnkd.in/etPrfd_c. ??Translating resources is one avenue that we are exploring to make sure our resources are accessible to a wider audience. We are looking into translating this MSD 101 Brief into Arabic, Kiswahili, and Russian, and are open to translating it into more languages if there is enough demand. If you would like to see this in another language for a particular project or use case, please reach out to Ryan at [email protected] -- ?? Nous sommes ravis de vous annoncer que notre document ? Développement des systèmes de marché (DSM) 101 ? est désormais disponible en fran?ais et en espagnol. Ce document concis de 7 pages distille les concepts essentiels de l'approche DSM, avec pour objectif de présenter ces idées de manière simple afin de favoriser une compréhension partagée du DSM, en particulier pour ceux qui ne sont pas familiers avec sa terminologie et ses principles. Nous vous invitons à le partager largement avec vos collègues, partenaires et projets susceptibles de bénéficier de ce document en fran?ais et en espagnol. Liens ci-dessus. -- ?? Nos complace anunciar que nuestro documento informativo sobre el Desarrollo de Sistemas de Mercado (DSM) 101 ya está disponible en francés y en espa?ol. Este breve documento de 7 páginas resume los conceptos esenciales del enfoque DSM, con el objetivo de presentar estas ideas de manera sencilla para fomentar una comprensión compartida del DSM, especialmente para quienes no están familiarizados con su terminología y principios. Les pedimos que nos ayuden a compartirlo ampliamente con colegas, socios y proyectos que puedan beneficiarse de tener este documento en francés y espa?ol. Enlaces arriba.

Do the impacts of MSD activities #sustain and #scale after close? The answer lies at the core of MSD, and USAID is investing in a global series of evaluations through MSP to investigate this question. MSP’s recently published evidence synthesis tackles this head-on, synthesizing evidence across the two #ex-post evaluations conducted thus far.? The highly visualized brief?(scroll through below) captures key findings that bolster the evidence base for MSD.?https://lnkd.in/eT_mvGMw ?? Check it out for data-rich findings on sustainability, scale, and #benefits for target populations (e.g. yields, incomes, the scale of engagement, and satisfaction with the business model).? The brief closes by spotlighting six #implications for future programming, including the importance of building trust, tailored measurement, and smart use of subsidies. Thank you to Ben Fowler, Marrium Khan, and Khaled Khan of MarketShare Associates for compiling this brief, conducted through USAID’s Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity led by DAI. The ex-post series is overseen at MSP by Anna Garloch, and the series benefits greatly from the support of a technical advisory committee Kristin O'Planick at USAID/REFS, Rachel Shah at Mercy Corps, and Tatiana Pulido in USAID’s PSE Hub.

We are excited to be at the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development Global Seminar this week. It's been six years since the last seminar and much has changed in the field. This year's seminar is focusing extensively on climate as well as applying MSD principles to fragile and conflict affected settings. Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships will be presenting a forthcoming market systems analysis (MSA) toolkit during three micro clinics over the course of the three-day seminar, with conversations focused on how to set up and design an MSA, how to run one, and how to utilize results to inform strategy. We will also be speaking during a session on understanding and interpreting donor guidelines in ways that enable projects to achieve their systemic change objectives. If you are at the seminar, be sure to say hi to Ryan Bourque and Ben Fowler from MSP! Glad to be here with Kristin O'Planick Market Systems Team Lead at USAID as well.

In honor of #InternationalCoffeeDay this week, join us in raising a cup! This year’s theme is collaboration, focusing on often unseen actors across the global value chain and their efforts to ensure quality for customers and sustainability for their businesses. Learn more about MSP’s work in the coffee sector below and how collaborating with private sector partners can achieve development objectives. USAID, through the Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity, co-invests with private sector companies to test innovative business models in various value chains, including coffee. ????????????? Collaborating with private sector actors of all shapes and sizes is integral to a comprehensive PSE approach, but when does it make sense to partner with a multinational corporation (MNC)? Swipe through the carousel to see what MSP partners VIRUNGA COFFEE, Northern Coffee Corporation Ltd (NCCL), and Aviv Coffee Plantation—all locally managed subsidiaries of ofi — are doing to innovate coffee production and collaboration with private sector actors: ? Piloting innovative business practices and expanding supply chains: one of the benefits of working with an MNC is their ability to take on riskier investments, including those that involve testing new products or approaches and operating in challenging political contexts. Through its partnership with MSP, ofi is planting a disease-resistant variety of Arabica coffee called Miracle that is resistant to coffee berry disease and leaf rust. ? Strengthening supply chains by investing in production and postharvest technology: access to higher quality inputs improves farmer yields and incomes. A common issue among farmers is access to quality inputs and agronomic training. MNCs are often well suited to source high quality inputs more efficiently and deliver agronomic training at scale. Through its partnership with MSP, ofi is improving farmer access to high quality coffee varieties in the DRC. ?Addressing sustainability and carbon emission reduction: for example, only 17% of the coffee cherry can be transformed into an exportable product, which leaves behind tons of coffee residue that decomposes and causes harmful methane emissions. Through its partnerships with MSP, ofi is using that residue and decarbonizing its supply chain through improved composting, biochar production, wastewater aeration, and the development of a new product: cascara. As an MNC, ofi will be able to scale promising innovations across its global operations and influence other local actors. #ICD2024 #EmbraceCollaboration #Coffee #Cascara #marketsystems #privatesectorengagement

As we approach the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (#IDAFLW), MSP is excited to share perspectives from seven of its FLW mitigation partners, collected and curated by Mark Pigott and Courtney Cantwell in their latest blog “Unlocking Business Value Through Food Loss & Waste Mitigation: Insights from MSP’s FLW Accelerator Entrepreneurs.” https://lnkd.in/dwpgw4yF USAID’s Feed the Future Food Loss and Waste Accelerator, implemented by Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity, is co-investing with private sector companies to de-risk their investment in FLW mitigation through two-year, payment-for-results partnerships. MSP manages a portfolio of 15 partnerships in Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, and Tanzania. As part of their recent monitoring visit to #Kenya and #Tanzania, Mark and Courtney interviewed seven of those partners, including Aviv Tanzania, Best Tropical Fruits, Chanzi, EA Foods, GBRI Business Solutions, Kentaste, and Regen Organics. To better understand their motivations and operating realities as FLW mitigation entrepreneurs, we asked: 1) What was your biggest motivating factor for prioritizing FLW mitigation in your business? 2) Why do you think FLW mitigation is a good business strategy? 3) What has been the biggest surprise or adjustment for you in taking a zero or low FLW approach? The blog highlights some common themes tied to the business case for FLW raised by MSP’s partners: ?? Environmental and/or business factors are the biggest motivations for pursuing FLW mitigation. ?? FLW work makes good business sense in the long term. ?? Surprising business and impact opportunities can result from reducing FLW. ?????Be sure to check out the full blog for great insight and quotes from these entrepreneurs based on their experience working to mitigate food loss and waste and resultant greenhouse gas emissions. #foodloss #foodwaste #privatesector #FLWDay

On September 24th, Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) partner Aviv (Olam Food Ingredients’ Tanzanian coffee subsidiary) hosted United Republic of Tanzania President Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan and Minister of Agriculture Hussein Mohamed Bash. During the visit, the presidential delegation toured the Aviv plantation and the Aviv team shared about some of its sustainability initiatives including cascara and biochar production as well as related community outreach. These initiatives are all components of Aviv’s partnership with USAID under the Feed the Future Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Accelerator, implemented by MSP. The Accelerator is helping companies to de-risk their investment in FLW mitigation through two-year, payment-for-results partnerships. To learn more about Aviv and the 15 other firms under Accelerator, visit https://lnkd.in/dUF4fQdu

?? Upcoming Webinar: Public-Private Partnerships to Reduce Food Loss and Waste? ? ??? September 26 from 9-10 AM EST? ?? Registration link: https://lnkd.in/dkq5X9zj Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships is excited to feature three private sector partners under the Feed the Future FLW Accelerator who will share their insights and experiences: Joanne Murunga, COO of KENTASTE PRODUCTS LTD; Andrew Wallace, CEO of Chanzi; and Sujan Dulal, Country Manager at aQysta | Small Farmers. Big Impact. They will be joined by Nika Larian, PhD, Senior Nutrition Advisor for Food Safety at USAID, and Ahmed Kablan, PharmD, Ph.D (He/Him/his), Senior Science Advisor at USAID. ? The webinar will explore how public-private partnerships can unlock opportunities for innovation and scaling while delving into the business case for reducing food loss and waste (FLW). It will examine the challenges businesses face when entering new markets for upcycled products and services and discuss how public-private partnerships can be key to developing sustainable solutions. Join us to learn from experts about creating shared value through FLW mitigation.

Please join Dan Zook in this Thursday's panel discussion, who will draw from MSP's recently published Climate Adaptation Finance for Agriculture Donor & Investor Guidance (https://lnkd.in/d35erRnD), to talk about the role of climate adaptation financing in agriculture.

Market systems practitioners, have you ever found it challenging to explain market systems development (MSD) in clear, simple terms to colleagues new to the approach or to friends and family? If so, this brief is tailored for you. https://lnkd.in/dHyaGYpX Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships has developed this concise 7-page brief to distill the essential concepts of the MSD approach, highlight key principles for action, and provide examples of its application across diverse sectors, including agriculture, finance, and health. Our goal is to present these ideas in a straightforward manner to foster a shared understanding of MSD, especially for those who may be unfamiliar with its terminology and principles. Whether you’re new to MSD or looking for a resource to help articulate its value, this brief offers a practical introduction to the approach's core ideas and how it drives sustainable, systemic change. We welcome your feedback, so please share your thoughts in the comments. #marketsystems #internationaldevelopment #FeedtheFuture

What is a nutrition investment? Although many development partners, DFIs, and impact investors recognize the need to invest in sustainable food systems that ensure greater availability and affordability of nutritious foods for all, there was no common definition of the types of businesses and projects they should be targeting. To help USAID and its partners execute its nutrition financing activities effectively, Wellspring Development Capital Ltd developed a nutrition-lens investing framework. Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) is now sharing the framework more widely to help increase both the quality and volume of nutrition impact generated by the impact investing community by providing clear guidance on what constitutes a “nutrition investment”. https://lnkd.in/dGDDcZbT The framework includes:? ? A nutrition-lens investing theory of change, highlighting key impact pathways (e.g., production, processing and packaging, storage, distribution, and marketing) that investors can target???? ? Deal screening criteria linked to food products and impact pathways ? A downloadable Excel tool that investment officers can use to speed up the screening process This initiative is timely as we look forward to the upcoming Africa Food Systems Forum, where leaders and stakeholders from across the continent will gather to discuss and advance solutions for food systems transformation, to get nutritious foods to underserved markets. The forum offers a valuable platform to align our efforts and strategies with the latest insights and opportunities in the field. Thank you to Joel Moktar and Michael Shaw from Wellspring Development and Leah Lucas, formerly from Wellspring Development for leading this work, and to USAID champions Songbae Lee and Adina Kuncz Rebecca Egan This work was conducted through USAID’s Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity led by DAI. #AFSForum2024