Dynamics of participation in utilization of local value chain services: assessing barriers and enablers in Uganda

Integrating smallholders into agri-food value chains has become a widely endorsed strategy for transforming food systems and reducing poverty in agrarian communities. However, value chain development initiatives are increasingly criticized for their lack of inclusiveness—benefits tend to accrue to resource-rich households, while marginalized communities are often left behind, exacerbating social inequality. There is no clear consensus on the factors driving disparities in participation and utilization of value chain services. Using panel data from soybean smallholders in Uganda, we trace the evolution of participation in value chain service use. We employ a multinomial logit model to (a) identify the drivers and barriers to participation in value chain (VC) service utilization and (b) examine the determinants of variation in service uptake—specifically, the types and number of services used. While the Multinomial Logit Model is also used to analyse variation in service types, a Two-Part Model is applied to assess participation intensity. Our findings show that barriers such as insecure land tenure, limited education, poor access to credit, and distance from service points hinder inclusive participation. Value chain service delivery appears to operate as a mechanism for selecting more viable participants, suggesting that value chain service providers might be adopting risk-averse strategies that (whether intentionally or unintentionally) can exclude resource-poor households from accessing services. Moreover, exclusion tends to persist even after initial participation in farm-level training, limiting subsequent engagement with input and output market services. We discuss the implications of these findings for fostering more inclusive and resilient food systems. Smallholder farmers in Uganda are essential to food security and rural livelihoods, yet many struggle to access services that could increase their productivity and income. This study investigates why some farmers succeed in participating in farm-level training, input markets, and output markets offered by small and medium agribusiness enterprises, while others are excluded. We identify key barriers–such as limited education, insecure land rights, restricted credit access, and distance from service points–as well as enabling factors like mobile phone access. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, development organizations, and businesses aiming to make agriculture more inclusive and resilient. By understanding what helps or hinders farmers, we can design better support systems that reach those most in need, promoting fairer and more sustainable food systems in Uganda and beyond.