Community forum: Are we doing enough enterprise building?

Posted on 13 Nov 2007 by Marcus

I believe that rural enterprise-building is a very important component in both general development contexts and in drug-crop reduction contexts.

I outlined my reasons for thinking so at length in an article in the marketing section, but they are basically that

a) Rural enterprises provide many of the things needed to close the gap between legal and illegal crops (i.e. higher income, inputs, reduced market risk, improved distribution, access to demand)

b) Rural enterprises can improve development effectiveness by providing a framework for assessing development interventions and by creating a sustainable delivery system for development services

In South-East Asia I think people have turned away from this approach, perhaps because of failed attempts to establish Cooperatives, and I think this is a pity.

What do other people think? Particularly

: To what extent is the promotion of rural enterprises a focus of the strategy where you work?
: If it is being used, is it effective?
: If it is not being used, why not?