A Perfect Fit

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) examines the application of user-led behavioral research to improve the effectiveness of development interventions. Using a study on mango value chains in Hola, Kenya, the document demonstrates how understanding the specific needs and behaviors of small-scale farmers can explain the failure of technology adoption and help design more targeted, cost-effective solutions.

• The YieldWise initiative, launched by the Rockefeller Foundation in 2016, focuses on reducing harvest and post-harvest losses for staple crops, vegetables, and fruits in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania, where approximately 50% of produce is lost before reaching the market.
• In Hola, Kenya, the adoption of quality-improving technologies for mangoes—such as plastic crates, harvesting tools, and sap removal—was nearly non-existent because these tools did not align with the farmers' economic incentives.
• Research revealed that mangoes are not the primary commercial product for small-scale farmers in Hola, contributing no more than 20% of their income. Because approximately 90% of the fruit is sold for processing in Nairobi or Mombasa, farmers prioritize quantity over quality, as they lack the infrastructure to access high-value export markets.
• The SEI Behaviour and Choice Initiative argues that development interventions are more successful when they utilize user-led research and behavioral insights to understand the specific context and needs of recipients, rather than relying on top-down policy designs.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2018). A Perfect Fit. https://www.sei.org/features/a-perfect-fit/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. A Perfect Fit. 2018. https://www.sei.org/features/a-perfect-fit/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=A Perfect Fit |date=17 March 2018 |url=https://www.sei.org/features/a-perfect-fit/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2018perfect, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{A Perfect Fit}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2018}, month = mar, url = {https://www.sei.org/features/a-perfect-fit/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }