Horticultural Value Chains for Improved Livelihoods - Opportunities for smallholder farmers from the Karo Highlands, Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

This thesis intends to describe how the growing markets for fruits and vegetables in Indonesia and neighbouring countries can revive the horticultural production in the Karo Highlands, Nort Sumatra, if certain upgrading strategies in the production are taken into account. Since the health-consciousness of consumers in developed as well as in developing countries is changing, the turn to organic production may represent one option through which farmers could have a new opportunity to improve their livelihoods. This research applies a value chain analysis and combines it with the sustainable livelihood framework in order to assess the current structures of value chains and livelihood assets and give recommendations for improvements.