In this blog post Christopher Coles discusses utilising value chain analysis as an approach to development, and summarises conclusions from the new book 'Markets and Rural Poverty: Upgrading in Value Chains '

This book explores the place of poor people within a rich variety of value chains, focusing upon lagging, rural regions in Africa and Asia, and how they can "upgrade" within such chains. Upgrading is a key concept for value chain analysis and refers to the acquisition of technological capabilities and market linkages that enable firms to improve their competitiveness and move into higher-value activities.