Market systems are complex, and to truly understand and influence a system, rigorous analysis is required. Market systems are also dynamic, so to work within them and to influence change, this rigorous analysis must be coupled with learning. This is a continuous cycle – the analysis is ongoing and triggers a lot of questions, the team then seeks the answers, more analysis is undertaken and more questions are raised – and so it goes. 

For example, the following questions might arise in the analysis of the market system surrounding the potato farmer mentioned above: If farmers could produce more and earn more with access to good seed, why is seed not available? Is seed available but not affordable? Is the quality poor? Are the seed varieties not suitable for the climate? Is seed distribution poorly developed? Are there seed companies? If there are, do they know the farmers are having problems with yields? Do the seed companies understand the income potential if they were better connected to farmers? Do agricultural research and government organizations understand the need for better seed?

Simply providing the potato farmers with seed will not address the systemic issues that have resulted in there being no local seed supply. It will not result in a commercially sustainable business model. Facilitating change from within the system presents a better opportunity to improve the economic outcomes for the farmers, and this can only be done if the system is truly understood. This understanding requires research - a combination of secondary data (e.g government statistics) and fieldwork that ensures we are talking to the people who work within the system, and who know and understand their business needs.