Paper short abstract:

Collective action occurs when individuals contribute to achieve an outcome.In Malawi African Institute for Corporate Citizenship has championed the establishment of four commodity based value chains in different platforms. The platforms have enabled stakeholders to to benefit from value chains.

Paper long abstract:

Collective action refers to organized agency by a group to promote its own interests. Collective action occurs when more than one individual is required to contribute to an effort in order to achieve an outcome. Acting collectively towards a given common or individual objective has been considered key in every investment focusing on market. In this regards, value chain platforms is one of the tools where actors meet and commit to partner, coordinate and learn from each other towards sustainable profits. Coordination implies a set of two or more actors who perform tasks in order to achieve goals. In Malawi the African Institute for Corporate Citizenship (AICC) has championed the establishment of four commodity based value chains in different platforms namely Legumes, Rice and cotton platforms. The platforms thus linked the entire system and enables the partners to see the sector as a system and understand important linkages that need to be exploited. The platforms on the face value comprise all stakeholders along the value chain and they are aimed at coordinating and enhancing collaboration amongst value chain players along the following four key thematic areas: Production; Market Development; Processing and Value addition and Institutional development. The platforms helped organize farmers to have one voice. Platforms have also been key in advocating government strategies. Platforms have been key in promotion of improved varieties thereby boosting productivity.