From Power Imbalance to Interdependence: A Case Study of the Chadian Sesame Supply Chain

Abstract Smallholder farmers are crucial actors for rural development in Africa. Their participation global agro-food chains assures a source of revenues and agricultural development. Nevertheless, their position is still marginal. Moreover, there lack data about the smallholder African supply chains. The paper aims to identify power regime between farmers, processors, middlemen exporters analyse how collective actions external players’ intervention may modify bargaining sesame value chain Eastern Chad. analysis based on qualitative gathered from semi-structured interviews with 98 41 stakeholders. study applies netchain perspective, analysing vertical relationships along food terms horizontal by observing first impact actions. results reveal that dyadic ties characterised only supplier buyer dominance, no independence interdependence chain. Especially, suffer both dominance. reveals organise agreements improve benefit commercialisation. introduction improves potential positive farmers’ Thus, be further developed. This offers diagnosis future perspectives