From agricultural supply chains to food system transformation: Tracing the impact of private sector activities on food systems in developing countries

This paper assesses the available information and identifies insights with respect to the role of the private sector in food system transformation processes and their contributions to food and nutrition security in developing countries. We focus on different stages of the food supply chain to identify whether and how private sector agents are contributing to specific food system outcomes. Particular attention is given to business activities that rely on multiple agents, multiple levels or multiple stakeholders for enhancing their impact. Based on a detailed review of the literature, we outline major impact pathways for private sector’s contribution to healthier, safer and affordable diets. We finally classified the academic literature according to different types of involvement of private sector activities for supporting or contributing to food system transformation processes.