Natural ingredients value chains in Burkina Faso

Information for CBI is mostly gathered through a value chain analysis. A value chain analysis is a study of the problems and stakeholders in a value chain, often including market and product information. This method can provide information about where there is a clear competitive advantage or market opportunity, which may help find what products and regions to focus on and who to work with to grow exports. Where it can fall short, however, is in finding what types of activities to focus on to make sure the sustainable and inclusive parts of CBI’s mission are also achieved. Many projects can lead to negative results. For instance, more exports may lead to a lower supply of products for domestic use, come at the cost of local environmental quality, or could raise prices above what local people can afford. However, when done well, these types of sector development programs can provide many additional benefits for both people and the environment.

Understanding the complicated links between actors and problems in a value chain is a big challenge, but one that is necessary to find where to focus. In this project, we used a method for using systems thinking to add additional information when developing new programs. Three value chains of Burkina Faso were included: shea, moringa, and baobab. Possible risks and co-benefits of different program ideas in these value chains were evaluated. This focused on the opportunities of selling environmental services (including carbon credits), instead of products. Selling services can help avoid threats to food security and create local value that can fund the enabling environment. However, it was decided that the environmental services part is not possible for CBI at the moment (due to the amount of land required and the time for certification). The program idea that was chosen focuses more on support roles in the region, and also includes the goal of sharing knowledge with local businesses on the value of environmental services.