Participatory Market Chain Approach in Bhutan

This study is on application of Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) in Bhutanese vegetable market chain to help farmers to access markets. Key findings; 1. In a local market chain- physical capital (mobile network, access to water & physical distance within farmers), participation with actors, access to human capital, group work, policy support & external actor highly governing market chain affect collective action, social learning & social capital. 2. In an informal group- Local level platform of PMCA can improve social learning to develop trust. 3. In a formal group- Market chain platform of PMCA can improve social learning with market chain actors. 4. Institutional innovation can occur as market chain actors have key common interest to cooperate indicated in social learning, collective action to develop social capital. Yet, barriers exist on governance of chain & farmers participating mostly for short term material gain. Nevertheless, policy makers can consider PMCA to increase farmer's market access. And to apply PMCA, it is vital to know current type of participation & physical infrastructure in a market chain for social learning, collective action & social capital.