What does RVCD mean in DEVELOPMENT

Rice Value Chain Development (RVCD) is a program for sustainable development in the rice sector. It focuses on developing effective value chains that have the potential to improve productivity, add value, promote innovation and create employment opportunities in the rice sector.

The goal of RVCD is to ensure that smallholder farmers benefit from improved access to inputs, markets and services through the development of well-functioning value chains.

Activities under RVCD include strengthening existing systems for input supply and market linkages, developing alternate agro-processing solutions for marketable products such as fortified and branded rice varieties, building capacities of stakeholders along the rice value chain and improving resource efficiency through environment-friendly practices.

RVCD helps farmers by providing them with improved access to inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural implements; increased market connectivity through intermediation with buyers; improved yields due to better management practices; greater access to financial assistance; enhanced agronomic capacities; increased adoption of post harvest technologies and skills training related to business operations including entrepreneurship.

No, RVCD works with all stakeholders along the rice value chain — including input suppliers, traders/intermediaries, processors/agro-processors, insurers/financial institutions, capacity-building organizations etc., helping them become more efficient and profitable so that they can pass on some benefits directly or indirectly to farmer households in terms of higher prices for their produce.