A new training manual from the FAO reflects the Market Analysis and Development Approach, which assists rural people to develop sustainable forest-based enterprises.
28 October 2011: The Community-based Forest Enterprise Development programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released a training package on Market Analysis and Development (MA&D). The manual is the result of 10 years of input from partners implementing MA&D in developing countries.
MA&D is a participatory training methodology that aims to assist rural people in developing sustainable forest-based enterprises that both generate income and conserve tree and forest resources. In the MA&D approach, local people are the principal decision makers on matters such as financing, developing business plans, and sustainable management and enterprise operation. MA&D stresses linkages between social and environmental concerns, as well as with the technological, commercial and financial aspects of small enterprise development.
The training package provides for a preliminary phase to set the context, followed by four successive phases to: assess the existing situation and define opportunities; carry out surveys to identify products, markets and enterprise ideas; prepare an enterprise development plan and strategies for sustainability; and support the start-up phase of the enterprise. [FAO Media Release] [Market Analysis and Development Approach] [Publication: MA&D Manual]