Aim of this Diploma-Thesis is to identify possibilities to reduce the certification costs of smallholders or small-scale producers, who want to comply with the GLOBALGAP standard version 3.0-2_SEP07. Therefore, an analysis of participatory guarantee systems, which exist in the organic sector, was done to identify principles of these systems, which could be implemented into GLOBALGAP. These ideas were discussed in terms of interview with selected experts.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Description of the GLOBALGAP standard version 3.0-2_SEP07
- History and development of the GLOBALGAP standard
- Definition of producer groups within the GLOBALGAP standard
- Certification process of producer groups within the GLOBALGAP standard
- Certification costs for producer groups within the GLOBALGAP standard
- Smallholders within the GLOBALGAP standard
- Existing Participatory Guarantee Systems
- Introduction to Participatory Guarantee Systems
- Participatory Guarantee System in India
- History and development
- Assembly of the Indian Participatory Guarantee System
- Certification process of the Indian Participatory Guarantee System
- Participatory Guarantee System of Rede Ecovida in Brazil
- History and development of Rede Ecovida
- Assembly of Rede Ecovida
- Certification process of Rede Ecovida
- Summary of the cognitions concerning Participatory Guarantee Systems
- Integration of a Participatory Guarantee System into the GLOBALGAP standard
- Comparison of a Participatory Guarantee System with Third Party Certification Schemes
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This diploma thesis examines the potential of integrating Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) into the GLOBALGAP standard to reduce certification costs for smallholders. The study analyzes existing PGS models and explores their compatibility with GLOBALGAP's framework.
- Cost reduction strategies for smallholder GLOBALGAP certification.
- Analysis of existing Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS).
- Comparison of PGS and third-party certification schemes.
- Feasibility of integrating PGS into the GLOBALGAP standard.
- Impact of PGS on smallholder access to GLOBALGAP certification.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction lays out the problem of high certification costs for smallholders under GLOBALGAP. Chapters 2 covers the GLOBALGAP standard, detailing its history, producer group definitions, certification processes, and the challenges faced by smallholders. Chapter 3 provides detailed case studies of PGS in India and Brazil, examining their history, structure, and certification processes. Chapter 4 explores the potential for integrating PGS into the GLOBALGAP framework and compares PGS with traditional third-party certification schemes.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
GLOBALGAP, Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), smallholder farmers, certification costs, organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, cost reduction, India, Brazil, third-party certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS)?
PGS are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange, often used as an alternative to costly third-party certification.
How can PGS help smallholders with GLOBALGAP certification?
By implementing PGS principles, the high costs associated with traditional third-party audits can be reduced, making it more feasible for small-scale producers to comply with international standards like GLOBALGAP.
What are the main differences between PGS and third-party certification?
Third-party certification relies on external, often expensive, professional auditors. PGS relies on peer reviews and community involvement, which lowers costs and increases local ownership of the quality process.
Which countries are examples for successful PGS models?
The thesis highlights successful models in India and the Rede Ecovida in Brazil, showing how these systems have evolved to support local organic and sustainable agriculture.
What is GLOBALGAP version 3.0-2_SEP07?
It is a specific version of the Global Partnership for Good Agricultural Practice standard, which sets requirements for food safety, sustainability, and welfare that producers must meet to access certain international markets.
- Quote paper
- Miriam Herr (Author), 2008, Reducing Certification Costs for Smallholders? Potential for Participatory Guarantee Systems in GLOBALGAP, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186641
