Market Access Research Articles (Page 1)

This study examines the role of local MSMEs in strengthening the economic independence of Islamic boarding schools through sharia-based partnerships at Pondok Pesantren Syubbanul Wathon, Magelang. The research employed a case study with a qualitative approach using interviews, observations, and documentation. Findings reveal that the partnership between the pesantren and local MSMEs is implemented through a mudharabah-based consignment system, where MSMEs act as product suppliers and the pesantren provides market access via its canteen unit. This partnership generates mutual benefits: the pesantren secures a sustainable internal source of income, while MSMEs gain access to a stable market. Furthermore, students actively participate in canteen management, acquiring entrepreneurial skills relevant to current economic demands. Thus, this collaboration not only strengthens the pesantren’s economic independence and empowers local MSMEs but also fosters social cohesion by enhancing the relationship between the pesantren and surrounding communities.

The purpose of the study was to investigate socio-economic challenges affecting small-scale macadamia producing farmers in the Mpumalanga Lowveld. In South Africa, the macadamia industry has shown substantial growth, especially in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, respectively. However, Mpumalanga is by far the leading province in macadamia nut production. Contrastingly, the growth of the industry has not translated into the accelerated entry and participation of small-scale farmers in the sector. To understand the socio-economic challenges faced by these producers, a survey study was conducted between September and November 2020 within the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM). A total of 26 farmers were purposively sampled, with the assistance of extension officers. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (CsQCA). The study results showed that 76.9% of the respondents were males while only 23.1% were females. Half (50%) of the respondents were between the ages of 51-60. The study found equivalent levels of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the macadamia nut crop amongst the respondents. The reasons for dissatisfaction cited were competition with other crops (100%), high cost of orchard establishment (92.3%), low profit margins (92.3%), lack of capital (69.2%) and lack of production knowledge (46.2%). The results also suggest that older farmers with access to markets, extension services, and SAMAC (South African Macadamia Growers' Association) awareness consistently report higher satisfaction, while farmers who lack SAMAC awareness, extension services, and market access consistently reported lower satisfaction. These findings demonstrate that access to irrigation, extension services, and engagement with institutional structures such as SAMAC were critical factors influencing farmer satisfaction. Dissatisfaction was also linked to limited access to inputs like fertilizers and pest control technologies, as well as exclusion from more profitable segments of the value chain. While some farmers reported satisfaction and intended to continue with macadamia production, others were discouraged by unmet expectations and poor returns. Notably, youth and women were underrepresented among producers, though this study does not conclusively determine the reasons for their limited participation. The findings suggest that improving access to support services and inputs, alongside inclusive policies tailored to local conditions, could enhance participation and sustainability among small-scale macadamia farmers. Key words: Small-scale farmers, macadamia nuts, socio-economic challenges, agricultural development

The constant evolution of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) calls for the continuous monitoring of its developments and implications through a critical review of the academic literature. While DeFi holds promise for enhancing economic activity by expanding market access for enterprises and promoting financial inclusion, concerns remain that digital assets are primarily used for speculative purposes rather than for financing the real economy. This study employs bibliometric methods to investigate whether and how the current academic literature addresses the potential influence of DeFi on real economic dynamics. Employing bibliometric methods—including co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and keyword co-occurrence analyses—focused on DeFi-related publications in the Economics and Business subject areas within the Scopus database, the study maps the knowledge base, author networks, and thematic trends and their temporal evolution, supporting regulators, researchers, and practitioners. The findings reveal that the integration of DeFi with the real economy has received limited attention in scholarly research. This highlights the need for further investigation into DeFi’s implications for financial stability, productive investment, and long-term economic growth.

The rise of the digital economy has become a central force driving entrepreneurial vitality and advancing economic transformation. Understanding the mechanisms through which it operates is therefore essential. This research examines the impact of digitalization on entrepreneurial activity while accounting for the moderating role of international openness. Drawing on provincial panel data for China between 2013 and 2022 and applying a panel threshold framework, the study generates several noteworthy findings. First, the relationship between digital development and entrepreneurship follows an inverted U-pattern: at the initial stage, digitalization encourages entrepreneurial ventures by reducing transaction frictions and optimizing resource use, but its marginal benefits taper off as maturity is reached. Second, openness exerts a threshold effect. Once the foreign direct investment (FDI) scale surpasses 16.328 trillion USD, the positive effect of digitalization on entrepreneurship is markedly reinforced, indicating that greater openness magnifies digital spillovers and market access. Third, pronounced spatial differences emerge: eastern provinces gain the strongest benefits, western regions see moderate effects, while the central and northeastern areas display negligible or even adverse outcomes. These findings imply that advancing digital infrastructure, deepening openness, and formulating regionally differentiated policies are critical for fully unlocking the entrepreneurial dividends of digital economic growth.

This overview highlights the Commission’s: (i) formalization of trade framework with the United States to enhance reciprocity and market access; and (ii) advancement on tariff-lowering measures in the context of the US trade accord.

Antimicrobial resistance is among the most significant threats to modern medicine. Because of limited returns on investment, the development of novel antibacterial products has shifted toward smaller innovators. When these developers only have resources to seek regulatory approval in select high-income countries, they often cannot sell enough of their product to avoid bankruptcy because of the low number of patients with susceptible infections. A qualitative case study was conducted to assess the factors necessary for an existing global health pooled procurement strategy to expand its scope to include novel antibacterial therapeutics. Market access expansion would bring new products to patients where they are needed, while ensuring financial viability for innovators who struggle to retain financial solvency-ensuring that these critical medicines can be available for patients globally and the antimicrobial resistance pipeline can support the demand for new antibacterials for decades to come.

The evolving role of Medical Affairs (MA) has positioned this department as a key element in the development and lifecycle management of pharmaceutical products. In response to internal and external assessments, AstraZeneca (AZ) Spain implemented a transformation of its MA central teams through a newly designed Working Model. This model ensures full engagement across the product lifecycle, spanning early access, pre-launch, launch, and post-launch, balancing global strategy with local execution, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, and timely evidence generation. Central to this transformation is the deployment of four coordinated teams: the Early Asset Strategy Team, the Launch Readiness Team, the Core Value Team, and the Brand Team. These teams follow a structured work methodology and coordination model underpinned by dedicated information management processes that streamline communication and knowledge transfer. Training and capability-building programmes were also introduced to strengthen critical functional and leadership competencies. These changes aim to improve product positioning, accelerate market access, and drive value-based healthcare outcomes. The initiative aligns with broader industry trends emphasising early stakeholder engagement, data integration, and patient-centric strategies. By fostering agility, strategic foresight, and internal consistency, the transformation of MA central teams at AZ Spain provides a replicable model for enhancing MA's contribution to product development and healthcare ecosystem innovation. This article builds on our previous publications about the national ecosystem assessment of stakeholder needs, the definition of our MA transformation framework (articulating the strategic roadmap), and the description of the evolution of in-field MA teams in AZ Spain. Here we detail the transformation of the MA central teams and their working model. Future MA evolution will integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools, improving stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, and decision making. The transformative potential of AI in anticipating trends and optimising trials will enhance the role of MA in driving innovation and improving patient outcomes.

This study investigated farm level challenges and factors affecting the sources of income among pepper farmers in Kaduna and Kano States, Nigeria. A simple random sampling design was utilized to select 200 pepper growers. Primary data were employed utilizing a well-structured questionnaire. Data were evaluated utilizing descriptive statistics, Gini-Coefficient, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, and Multinomial Logit model. The results show that the mean age of pepper farmers was 46 years, with an average of 13 years of attendance in school education. They are smallholder farmers with an average of 1.27 ha of pepper farms. Approximately, 70% (140) of pepper farmers belong to high income inequality group, while 30% (60) belongs to low income inequality group. The main sources of income include farm income (34.04%), non-farm income (27.66%), and off-farm income (25.53%). The significant factors affecting the sources of farm income among pepper growers include education (P < 0.01), experience (P < 0.05), access to market (P < 0.01) and access to inputs such as fertilizer usage (P < 0.01). The significant factors affecting the sources of non-farm income include age (P < 0.01), cooperative membership (P < 0.10), and access to market (P < 0.01). The study recommended improved infrastructures such as better roads, irrigation systems, and improved market access. Furthermore, improved access to credit, and providing fertilizers, pesticides, and improved seeds at subsidized rate can reduce farmers’ costs and increase productivity.

In this update, we cover the evolving health technology assessment process in Australia and also examine how commercial health plans in the US influence patient access to treatments.

Background The National Drug Price Negotiation (NDPN) policy is a key institutional reform in China that reshaped drug market access rules. While its effects on drug prices and accessibility are well documented, evidence on firm-level innovation performance remains limited. This study evaluates the impact of the 2019 NDPN on the innovation performance of Chinese biopharmaceutical firms. Methods We used quarterly panel data from 96 listed biopharmaceutical firms from 2018 Q1 to 2023 Q4. A difference-in-differences (DID) model combined with propensity score matching (PSM-DID) was employed to identify causal effects. Innovation performance was measured by R&D investment, patent application count, and overall growth score, with firm- and time-fixed effects as well as financial controls included. Robustness was assessed through parallel trend and placebo tests. Results DID estimates show that firms with NRDL-included drugs significantly increased R&D investment (coefficient = 0.733) and patent application count (coefficient = 0.362). Overall growth score showed no short-term change. PSM-DID confirmed these findings, with R&D investment (coefficient = 0.693) and patent application count (coefficient = 0.272) both significantly improved. Conclusion The NDPN policy significantly enhanced firms’ innovation performance by increasing R&D investment and patent applications, though its effect on overall growth remains limited in the short term. These findings provide firm-level evidence that NDPN strengthens innovation incentives in China’s biopharmaceutical industry.

ABSTRACT A steady source of income and market access for small farmers is provided by farmer‐producer businesses, which are seen as an economic organization. Over the past 8−10 years, over 4200 producer groups have been established in India to encourage farmers to increase their revenue via communal action. However, due to several obstacles, the majority of these organizations are still in the early stages of their establishment. With an emphasis on horticultural crops, this inquiry uses a bibliometric approach to examine previous studies, contributions, and trends regarding the consequences of farmer‐producer companies (FPCs) on member producers. A thorough review and bibliometric analysis were carried out to quantitatively and methodically identify developments in this field. Forty studies were found and categorized using well‐defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data set was obtained from credible journals such as Emerald, Elsevier, MDPI, Wiley, Springer, and Taylor & Francis, and it included publications from 2017 to 2024. Bibliometric techniques were applied using the VOS viewer software to analyze journal trends and keyword cooccurrence. The findings highlight the critical role of FPCs in enhancing farmers' market access, income stability, and collective bargaining power, particularly in the horticulture sector. The analysis underscores the importance of crop specialization, regional adaptability, and value chain integration in driving FPC success for horticulture crops.

Aims: Guided by the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework, this study assessed farmers’ knowledge of safflower production, examined their attitudes toward cultivation, and identified key challenges in Mukulu Ward, Iramba District, Tanzania. Place and Duration of Study: Iramba District, conducted between June 2024 and October 2024. Study design and methodology: A mixed-methods design was used, involving a census of 105 safflower farmers. Quantitative data from structured questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS and MS Excel, complemented by thematic analysis of qualitative data from three Focus Group Discussions and three Key Informant Interviews. Results: Results showed that all farmers (100%) exhibited low knowledge of safflower practices, 57% held negative attitudes, and 85% showed low adoption of recommended practices, primarily due to limited extension services and market access, despite safflower’s economic and climatic potential. Conclusion: The study concludes that low knowledge and negative attitudes significantly constrain safflower adoption in Mukulu Ward. Addressing gaps in extension support, input supply, and market access is essential for promoting safflower as a viable climate-resilient crop. The findings reaffirm the relevance of the KAP framework in explaining smallholder technology adoption.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) anchor local livelihoods in Western Visayas but continue to face persistent constraints in finance, digitalization, and market access. To strengthen MSME capabilities, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program provides module-based mentoring and Business Improvement Plan (BIP) coaching. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how KMME mentee graduates made sense of their post-mentorship journeys, their triumphs and tribulations after completing the program. Guided by social constructivism and interpretivism, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mentee graduates representing diverse sectors (food manufacturing, shell crafts, real estate, events, mushroom farming, bakery/cafe, and integrated farming) across Region VI. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four major themes were developed. Two reflected triumphs:(1) Organizational and Strategic Transformation – movement from improvised to systematic operations, quality assurance, branding, and people-centered leadership; and (2) Success in Entrepreneurial Confidence and Identity Formation – growth in self-efficacy, professional identity, and decision-making. On the other hand, two captured tribulations: (3) Structural and Institutional Barriers to Growth – risk-averse lending, limited capitalization, and uneven post-program support; and (4) Operational, Technological, and Crisis-Driven Challenges – market volatility, multigenerational workforce tensions, uneven digital adoption, and shocks like pandemics and supply disruptions. To synthesize these findings, the study introduces the GRIT model (Growth- Resilience-Innovation-Transformation), which conceptualizes how mentorship fosters entrepreneurial progression despite limitations. It further proposes a Transformative Sustainability Theory (TST), asserting that sustained entrepreneurial growth arises not from linear advancement but from adaptive learning, innovation, and resilience in responses to contextual challenges. Findings suggest that KMME’s early impacts can be strengthened through continuous post-mentorship monitoring, accessible financing mechanisms, digital capability development, and stronger ecosystem collaboration among DTI, LGUs, TESDA, DOST, financial institutions, and academic partners.

Hybrid corn is a leading commodity in Labuan District; however, farmers’ income varies due to production factors and farming conditions. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the income of hybrid corn farming. Method: This research employed a quantitative approach using 81 hybrid corn farmer respondents selected through random sampling. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis through F-test, t-test, and R². The results of the regression analysis indicate that land area, production, and selling price significantly positively affect income, while production costs negatively affect it; however, irrigation availability does not have a significant effect. The regression model was simultaneously significant with an R² of 0.76, meaning that 76% of the income variation could be explained by the independent variables. The study recommends improving production cost efficiency, enhancing market access, and strengthening irrigation infrastructure.

Floriculture plays a crucial role in India's agricultural economy, contributing significantly to farmers' income and rural livelihoods. Among various floricultural crops, chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum) stands out as a commercially important flower due to its high demand in both domestic and export markets. Tamil Nadu, particularly Dharmapuri district, is a key region for chrysanthemum cultivation. However, farmers face multiple constraints that hinder productivity, profitability, and sustainability. This study aims to identify and analyse the major constraints faced by chrysanthemum growers in Tamil Nadu, categorizing them into resource and infrastructure, extension, production, and marketing constraints. A survey was conducted in Nallampalli block of Dharmapuri district, selecting 72 chrysanthemum growers through a proportionate random sampling method. The data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed using the Rank-Based Quotient (RBQ) method. The findings indicate that labour scarcity had RBQ of 73.20 and lack of rainfall RBQ of 59.20 are the most pressing resource constraints. Among extension constraints, the lack of training on crop protection practices had RBQ of 93.00 and market information RBQ of 78.14 significantly affect farmers' decision-making. In production, poor harvest during the rainy season RBQ of 86.38 and high costs of plant protection chemicals RBQ of 73.25 emerge as major concerns. The marketing challenges include low flower prices in local markets RBQ of 95.17 and middlemen exploitation RBQ of 80.33, severely impacting farmers' income. Strengthening infrastructure, facilitating direct market access, and promoting sustainable farming practices can help alleviate these constraints and improve the livelihoods of chrysanthemum growers in Tamil Nadu.

Agriculture in India largely depends on the monsoon. As a result, the production of food grains fluctuates year after year. Although the ownership of agricultural land in India is fairly widely distributed, there is some degree of concentration of landholding. A farmer is often required to make decisions under various vulnerable and uncertain conditions, which stem from social uncertainties, natural hazards, market fluctuations and changes in state policies. Risk aversion is the tendency to avoid risk and have a low risk tolerance. The districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam in the Cauvery Delta Zone were selected for the study due to their risk-prone areas and crops affected by natural calamities. The total sample size for the study was 366 and it was estimated by the Cochran’s sample size formula and the samples were selected by using a proportionate random sampling technique. The standardized coefficient of demise of an elder in the family (P1) was 0.797, dissension among family members (P2) was 0.829, parental control on decision making (P3) was 0.681 and location of farmlands in risk-prone areas (P4) was 0.604 and represents the partial effect of the personal factor. The hurdles in the procurement process (M1) were 0.519, lack of infrastructure facilities in the markets (M2) was 0.774, increase in transportation charges (M3) was 0.685 and timely unavailability of procurement centres (M4) was 0.542 and together represented the partial effect of the market factor. These factors not only increase the transaction costs for farmers but also reduce their bargaining power, delay the sale of produce and in some cases compel distress sales. Although risk management strategies are adopted more frequently by farmers with higher risk aversion, the overall differences across groups are relatively small. This suggests that many farmers, regardless of their individual risk tolerance, remain exposed to similar structural challenges. Beyond individual coping strategies, systemic reforms are needed. Strengthening rural infrastructure, improving procurement processes and ensuring timely market access can reduce risks, stabilize incomes and enhance resilience for farmers in risk-prone areas.

The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, a visionary initiative introduced by the government of Karnataka, stands as a beacon of localized economic growth and industrial development. The study on the significance of this initiative highlights its crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, reducing regional imbalances, promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development. This article provides a comprehensive overview of its economic impact, successful case studies, challenges faced, and prospects, emphasizing the potential for sustainable growth and development in the state's districts. This analysis underscores the importance of ODOP as an ambitious development program with far-reaching benefits for the State's overall progress and development. In addition, the study's recommendations provide a roadmap for enhancing the scheme's implementation, including strategies for awareness campaigns, infrastructure development, market access facilitation, skill development, sustainable practices, resource allocation, and collaboration among stakeholders. Keywords: One District One Product (ODOP), Karnataka, Economic Impact, District-specific Products, Challenges, Rural Development and Sustainability.

A substantial body of anthropological research has investigated how subsistence communities engage with market‐based economies. In this study, we contribute to this body of work by examining adolescent orientations towards intensifying market integration in the Congo Basin. Adolescence is characterized by enhanced capacities for abstract reasoning, creative thought, risk‐taking, and exploration. Consequently, this life stage may represent a sensitive period for adapting to the novel social and material contexts that market integration brings. To explore adolescent engagement with market integration, we worked in three villages inhabited by BaYaka foragers and Bantu fisher‐farmers with varying access to wage labour and market goods. We combined quantitative data on adolescent labour participation and purchasing behaviour with qualitative interview data capturing adolescent perspectives on market integration. Our findings indicate that intensifying market integration does not uniformly shape adolescent behaviour and consumption. Instead, it articulates with socialization practices, market access, resource availability, and the value adolescents place on self‐reliance, resulting in unexpected variation across the three study villages. Additionally, adolescents may be contributing to shifts in norms regarding the sharing of money. Overall, our results suggest that BaYaka and Bantu adolescents are active agents in processes of intensifying market integration in the Congo Basin.

Liberalizing international agricultural trade has consistently been a difficult political proposition. After the establishment of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1948, it took nearly five decades for governments to collectively embark on agricultural reform, which began in 1995 within a multilateral setting following the successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round (UR) of negotiations. With respect to improving agricultural market access and tariff liberalization, two significant achievements of the UR – anchored in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) – were the elimination of non-tariff border measures facilitated through the modality of tariffication, and the comprehensive binding of customs duties on all agricultural products in Members’ Schedules of Concessions. However, the immediate market access gains from the UR were relatively modest. To enable access to each other’s markets – particularly for sensitive sectors like grains, meat, dairy, and sugar, which had often been protected by non-tariff measures (NTMs) and were therefore subject to tariffication – participating Members established ‘minimum access opportunities’ equivalent to 5% of domestic consumption in importing countries, based on the 1986–88 reference period. In cases where countries already offered greater access than this threshold, they were required to maintain existing levels. To implement these minimum (or current) access commitments, Members in practice relied systematically on the instrument of tariff rate quotas (TRQs). More than one thousand TRQs were established in Members’ agricultural schedules under the UR, and they continue to play a key role in facilitating market access for highly sensitive products. TRQs allow exporters to access markets at lower tariffs – albeit up to an agreed quantity – thus offering political reassurance to importers against potential import surges. Interestingly, several regional trade agreements (RTAs) (such as free trade agreements or customs unions) also rely on TRQs to provide market access for sensitive agricultural products at reduced rates, rather than committing to full tariff elimination, as a way to address political sensitivities surrounding agricultural liberalization. This paper examines the important continuing role of TRQs in enabling agricultural tariff liberalization within the multilateral trading system, while also highlighting several practical concerns raised by exporting countries regarding the administration of TRQs by importing countries. The article also alludes to possible remedial mechanisms within the multilateral trading system to address these concerns. The reduction in tariffs over the years – and the resulting non-application of a majority of TRQs in several Members’ schedules of concessions, due to the loss of the tariff advantage they originally afforded – suggests a possible path forward: the elimination of dual tariffs under TRQs in favour of a single tariff.

The identification of producer typologies is a crucial tool for understanding the heterogeneity of agroecosystems and designing targeted policies. Andean agroecosystems, particularly those in rapidly suburbanizing areas, have been understudied in this regard, creating a critical knowledge gap. This study addressed this void by determining the typologies of smallholder agroecosystems in the suburban periphery of Cuenca, Ecuador, by applying an unsupervised machine learning technique, Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) Clustering, to survey data from 293 farmers. Our analysis revealed three distinct typologies, highlighting a socio-economic and productive gradient defined by income sources, market access, and agrochemical use. The typologies range from economically vulnerable households to more commercially oriented and environmentally sustainable ones, underscoring the complex interplay between livelihoods strategies and environmental management. This research provides one of the first empirical typologies of suburban Andean agroecosystems, demonstrating the value of unsupervised learning for capturing farm heterogeneity in data-scarce contexts. The findings offer a robust evidence base for moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches, enabling the design of differentiated agricultural and territorial policies that enhance sustainability, equity, and resilience at the rural–urban interface.