Productive chains and participatory networks for development: coffee in Mexico

This piece of research is about analyzing and providing evidence about the design and methodology of productive chains or value networks applied to coffee, and its usefulness for the vertical integration of producers and their organizations. Collaborative networks and actors’ self-management play an essential role in the value adding processes and chain innovation, under the perspective of what is known as “entanglement for sustainable development”. The analysis of results of two years of operation of the Innovation Strategy for competitiveness of the Mexican coffee, through technical assistance and training, is presented here, which creates the conditions to integrate networks of professionals and technicians as well as of collaborative and innovative producers. Finally, conclusions and three major challenges of the innovation process in the coffee production chain are presented which seek greater equity in the distribution of the resources generated under a perspective of competitiveness.