Publication database

The report is about a multidonor strategic thematic fund established by Opportunities for the Majority which is used for the funding of diverse crucial BoP business models and their scaling-up. In this context four case studies are presented showing examples of the funds work: "VisionSpring", a social enterprise is dedicated to providing affordable eyeglasses to low-income people, the multistage programme "Corporate Leaders Program which includes the development of a creative platform, the housing programme "Patrimonio Hoy" of the Mexico-based cement manufacturer CEMEX and "The 1st BASE Forum for the Development of the Base of the Pyramid in Latin America and the Caribbean".

In this video interview, Carolyn Miles the president and CEO of Save the Children, shares her insights about the power of partnerships.

In this video interview, Nestlé’s Janet Voûte discusses the link between business growth and societal needs.

In this video interview, Andy Harner, global cocoa director for Mars Chocolate, discusses working with FSG on a shared value initiative to support farmers and cocoa production in Côte D'Ivoire.

This briefing document introduces the topic of value chains, the difference between traditional and modern markets and IFAD's work on value chains

Research Paper #21 assesses the risk mitigation capacity of weather index-based insurance for cotton growers in Northern Cameroon. It finds that weather index-based insurance is associated with huge basis risk and thus has limited potential for income smoothing. The authors use a tractable definition of basis risk to show that calibrating parameters in sub-regions allows to reduce dramatically basis risk and to avoid non negligible balancing out between distinct geographical zones.

Research Paper #22 analyses free-riding and coordination problems in health microinsurance in Tanzania. Microinsurance games played with microcredit clients confirm that less risk averse clients are tempted to free-ride and forgo individual insurance and demonstrate limited coordination failures under individual insurance. Group insurance increases demand in the games. These findings provide a potential solution for low uptake of microinsurance.

This study aims to deepen our understanding of the range of possibilities available for engaging the private sector in food security and improved nutrition at the Base of the Pyramid (“BoP”), be it via smallholders, entrepreneurs, or the actual consumers of food and food products. In this context five different business interventions for BoP ventures were identified that achieve social impact, financial sustainability and, potentially scale. Key challenges and lessons are presented with respect to barriers to growth, the scaling of processes, objectives and adequate business models. The study is based on the analysis of 16 cases and expert interviews.

Microinsurance Paper #17 presents lessons from IFFCO-TOKIO's implementation of a livestock insurance product using radio-frequency identification technology. It outlines how IFFCO-TOKIO improved value for clients through new business processes. The case shows that if administered carefully, livestock insurance has the potential to be viable with scale.

Research Paper #18 investigates the preferences of clients and determinants of demand for microinsurance products with the case study of the Mutual Assistance Fund (MAF), the pioneer microinsurance provider in Vietnam. The results reveal that the current premium offered by MAF seems too low and that is has no significant effect to the preferences of clients over product attributes. It is also found that clients are willing to pay higher premiums in order to receive a higher level of benefit. In addition, the main factors that are significantly affecting product preferences are previous experience with insurance, mathematical ability and attitude towards risk.