Dr. Chris Coles of Coles Development Consulting Ltd. was the lead author of a published paper on cost effective market estimation in pro-poor value chain development initiatives. This work compares three rapid market estimation techniques using case studies in urban dairy production in two contrasting Tanzanian municipalities and underlines the importance of informal markets for the poorest consumer groups.

CDC supported a team from Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, in the action research study, funded by Canada’s IDRC. Faculty colleagues and students streamlined urban dairy supply chains in order to improve farmer incomes, reduce consumer milk prices and increase product quality and nutritional value.