Valu e c h ain m a n a g e m e n t ( V C M ) r e p r e s e n t s a s hift f r o m sim ply m o vin g p r o d u c e t h r o u g h t h e s u p ply c h ain t o c r e a tin g, c a p t u rin g, a n d d eliv e rin g v alu e a t e v e r y s t a g e; f r o m f a r m e r t o fin al consumer. Proponents argue that VCM enhances competitiveness, reduces waste, and alig n s all a c t o r s t o w a r d c o n s u m e r s a tis f a c tio n. C ritic s, h o w e v e r, c a u tio n t h a t v alu e c h ain s t r a t e gie s m a y b e diffic ult t o im ple m e n t in f r a g m e n t e d o r in fo r m al fo o d s y s t e m s t y pic al in m u c h o f s u b - S a h a r a n A f ric a. In your opinion, to w h a t e x t e n t c a n a v alu e c h ain m a n a g e m e n t a p p r o a c h r e alis tic ally t r a n s fo r m p o s t h a rv e s t h a n dlin g s y s t e m s in G h a n a ? In your response, consider the following: What opportunities or benefits doe s a v alu e c h ain min d s e t o ff e r t o f a r m e r s, p r o c e s s o r s, or retailers? W h a t s y s t e mic o r s t r u c t u r al b a r rie r s c o uld p r e v e n t it s s u c c e s s ? S h o uld p o s t h a rv e s t in t e rv e n tio n s in A f ric a fo c u s m o r e o n b a sic in f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d t r ainin g, o r e m b r a c e t h e b r o a d e r v alu e c h ain a p p r o a c h ? W h a t is y o u r p e r s o n al j u d g m e n t o n t h e b e s t w a y fo rw a r d a n d w h y ?