Income-Generating Activities - Action Against Hunger

Field handbook • Scientific and Technical Department
• Commercial opportunities exist:
– There is demand for the product or service.
– It is possible to have access to the relevant markets.
– A competitive advantage can be offered: better prices, higher quality or better
productivity.
II.III. Analysis of the possible lines of intervention
The final results should define the possible activities to promote and the possible
mechanisms through which to support the generation of incomes. However, before initiating
detailed analysis, it is important to limit the field of study to a certain number
of activities in relation to the time and resources available. Depending on the
information gathered in the initial assessment, a few select activities and products can
be prioritized in terms of their importance of demand, possiblilities for income generation
or potential output, as subjects for analysis.
Therefore, for a limited number of prioritized activities, the possible lines of intervention
can be contemplated through the exercise of the value chain study. As the
potential range of income generating activities is so broad, the study will help limit
the strategy lines. The final output will identify the activities linked to value added
products (such as post-harvest processing). Programmes can support IGA that are already
in process, suggesting and supporting mechanisms to improve their functioning,
through the creation of working groups that improve capacity for market access or access
to productive assets. Also, new IGA can be initiated or supported.
III. Definition of the strategy
Once the problems are identified, it is necessary to develop a programme strategy
to assist the target population to cover their needs and improve their food security situation.
With this objective in mind, the analysis explained in the proceeding points can
be displayed in a problem tree (see Appendix 3 for an example of a problem tree). The
second step consists in the development of a vision of a positive future in which the
limiting factors are overcome, enabling the population to better meet their needs.
This can be diagramed in a solution tree that helps to establish possible alternatives.
The resulting income generation intervention strategy becomes part of the ACF
strategy in the zone. Improving IGA contributes to the objectives of the organisation,
that is, to fight against hunger by:
• Supporting and strengthening the population’s livelihood mechanisms.
• Reactivation and stimulation of the local economy.
INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES: A KEY CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURTIY
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