Value Capture Programmes

The core mission of Light Years IP is to assist producers to move beyond poverty by capturing more of the value that their distinctive exports generate in foreign markets. By focusing on distinctive products and their non-physical characteristics, such as superior flavour, aroma and reputation, producers and exporters can rethink the way they trade, renegotiate their contracts with importers and reshape their position in the global marketplace.

In shifting attention to non-physical (intangible) attributes, it is also possible to change some product from commodity to distinctive. LYIP then helps developing countries intervene in the supply chain in importing countries with business tools to capture more of the value that is generated by the intangible elements, leading to increased export income and improved security of that income. The key technique involves taking a degree of control of the elements that create intangible value in the final markets. This actually means farmers intervening in foreign counties that take their exports to capture some of the intangible value created by their products.

Low income stakeholders can be empowered in their negotiating position and can understand the value of their assets, both physical and non physical. To this end, LYIP trains and educates developing country producers, exporters and government managers in assessing opportunities and implementing Value Capture strategies.

Adopting Value Capture as a key strategy means re-conception of producers’ position to:

  • Stop thinking like commodity producers, and;
  • Realize their products are distinctive, and;
  • Move beyond their borders in collective action

The application of these concepts opens the possibility of income related to world markets for quality products, instead of poverty.