I worked on this over the summer as I explored the different transport models in Africa.
Objective: evaluate the potential for vaccines (and medical supplies) and agricultural products to share the same supply chain.
Issues to Be Explored
Evaluate the status quo:
· In a given area, map out how agriculture and related goods, such as seed, fertilizer, tools, move between farmers and markets or ultimate buyers.
o What normally moves between farms and markets (both directions)?
o What are the cost, quality, time, and information / reporting requirements of moving these goods?
o What comprise the segments and functions of the supply chain?
o Where are the information asymmetries in the supply chain and markets?
o Who captures what value in the supply chain?
§ Farmers
§ Traders
§ Pure transporters
§ Large buyers and exporters
o Where are the inefficiencies or gaps in the supply chain?
· In the same area, identify rural health centers and map out how they are supplied with vaccines and other medical supplies.
o What is the mix of public health centers and NGO or FBO health centers?
o What medical commodities move between national and regional stores and rural health centers?
o What are the cost, quality, time, and information / reporting requirements for these medical commodities?
o For each, are there defined processes, whether push or pull, for supplying rural health centers or is the system ad hoc and opportunistic?
o Where are the inefficiencies or gaps in the supply chain?
· Identify and evaluate the options for moving vaccines and other medical supplies
o Identify and analyze the challenges facing consolidation of medical supplies and agricultural goods.
o Evaluate the potential role and development of community-based LTL (less than truck load) entrepreneurs based on the SABMiller distribution model.
o Evaluate the potential of using VillageReach’s MIS system of vaccine delivery verification for fair trade authentication.
