Participatory Market Mapping is an innovative method crafted by Practical Action, designed to collaboratively construct a comprehensive map of an agricultural value chain, encompassing all relevant stakeholders. This includes considerations of policies and services that influence interactions within the chain.

Conducted through a workshop setting, this approach unites diverse perspectives, enabling stakeholders to construct and comprehend the wider market system. Subsequently, it lays the groundwork for pinpointing system weaknesses and prioritizing actions. This process is particularly enlightening and empowering for marginalized smallholders, offering them a platform to voice their concerns and contribute to strategic planning.

The method holds significant potential for:

• Facilitating the participatory design of a Theory of System Change (ToSC) tailored to agricultural value chain and market system initiatives. This approach ensures that all stakeholders are involved in crafting a comprehensive roadmap that reflects the interconnected nature of agricultural markets and value chains.

• Enhancing participatory evaluation and learning within agricultural value chain and market system development initiatives. It serves as an invaluable tool for collaborative data collection and sensemaking, engaging various stakeholders in a collective effort to interpret data and derive meaningful insights, thereby fostering a shared understanding and learning environment.

Resources

• Practical Action's Guidance on Participatory Market Mapping for Participatory Market System Development (PMSD). It emphasizes creating a collaborative platform for market actors, developing relationships, trust, and agreements on necessary changes in the market system. It covers key principles like Systems Thinking, Participation, and Facilitation, highlighting the importance of engaging marginalized groups and managing dynamics for gender equity and resilience​​​.

• BEAM Exchange's PMSD Toolkit offers a mixture of tools developed by Practical Action and others to fit an overall PMSD approach. It's designed as a resource for practitioners looking to implement PMSD and includes guidance on participatory market mapping as a core component for fostering inclusive market growth.