A Case for Institutional Demand as Effective Social Protection: Supporting Smallholders Through Procurement and Food Assistance Programmes

This paper focuses on the rationale for state-based market interventions to support smallholder production along with some case studies that follow the evolution and impact of what we call ‘institutional demand’ policies. Institutional demand is an intervention that aims to improve regional markets by establishing coordinated purchases for regional distribution, primarily through local and regional food procurement (LRP). The paper outlines the two direct forms of social protection offered through institutional demand: reliable income generation for targeted smallholders and expanded food availability for vulnerable populations.