2015, Volume 23, Paper 4
ISSN: 1883-5675

Policy Options to Improve the Performance of Housewives’ Groups in the Cottage Food Industry in Thailand

Renato A. Villano
Phanin Khrueathai
Euan Fleming

This paper highlights the potential to improve the performance of housewives’ groups and stimulate its growth as a key income-generating activity for rural households in developing countries. The analytical framework is based on an analysis of private and value chain-level net benefits from alternative policy actions and research and training initiatives. Seven candidates for policy implementation with the best prospects for success are examined: industrial policy; improving food quality; branding and labelling; encouraging strategic alliances; increasing the managerial role of members in housewives’ groups; educating members of housewives’ groups and group leaders; and improving the organisational structure of housewives’ groups.

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