Case: Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Stevia Value Chain in Paraguay
The project focused on improving the volume and quality of stevia production in Paraguay to expand supply, upgrading into the higher extraction stage of its value chain, and ultimately raise small producers’ incomes. The project also contributed to formalize and strengthen the producer-exporter relationship, an important milestone for an industry. This case study assesses the project “Strengthening the competitiveness of the Stevia Value Chain in Paraguay”, one of more than 40 projects implemented in the Latin American and Caribbean Region, within MIF’s “Linking Small Producers to High Value Agriculture Markets” thematic work area. These projects provide technical assistance, technological solutions, and access to finance to organized farmer groups (cooperatives, social enterprises and others) whose products have proven market demand in a variety of sectors and industries such as fisheries, horticulture, dairy, coffee, cocoa, and stevia, to name a few. The CGGC – Duke University researchers assessed five of these projects using a four-pillar framework designed to identify key areas that improve sustainable inclusion to value chains. Each case study in the series synthesizes common challenges and best practices implemented by MIF’s partner agencies, while providing valuable insights for ensuring successful outcomes and longterm impacts in inclusive value chain projects.
