As globalization continues penetrating even the world’s most remote corners, many small-scale farmers struggle with underemployment and limited market access. Simultaneously, more consumers worldwide are seeking more locally sourced and healthier food options. These overlapping needs have given birth to an innovative type of organic market certification called the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). PGS groups provide the crucial link between farmers and consumers, leveraging local community relationships to drive growth in sustainable agriculture.
A PGS is a localized quality control system with stakeholders actively participating, primary producers and consumers. This participatory model makes it easy for consumers to understand the source of their food and the practices involved in its production. Farmers, along with group members, establish their quality and organic standards. The group provides essential monitoring, inspections, and support to ensure every member is committed to these standards.
PGS groups adhere to the principles laid out by IFOAM – Organics International, which defines PGS as “locally-focused quality assurance systems that certify producers based on the active participation of stakeholders.” These systems rely on trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange.
Beyond quality control, PGS groups serve as learning and capacity-building platforms. They promote community spirit by encouraging farmers to share knowledge and resources. Professional development is fostered by inviting expert consultants to guide and support the community’s commitment to organic farming. This model helps farmers enhance the quality and quantity of their crops and their income.
Contrastingly, third-party organic certification, while beneficial, is often burdensome due to extensive paperwork and high costs, making it unfeasible for small-scale farmers. PGS provides an alternative on a local scale, focusing on balancing inequity, adapting to local contexts, and building on local relationships and accountability. Its processes are more flexible and inclusive, effectively addressing the local community’s needs.
A tangible example of the Participatory Guarantee Systems model’s impact can be seen in rural Nepal. The nonprofit organization BlinkNow, with local partners CEAPRED (an agricultural outreach organization) and the local Karnali Province’s Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, recognized the need for holistic community development. They realized that caregivers need stable jobs and families need access to healthy foods.
Resultingly, they initiated a program to train and mentor local farmers in organic farming practices. This led to the creation of the Sana Kishan PGS Management Group in January 2018, comprised of 22 women farmers. The group recently achieved certification and government recognition as a PGS group.
According to BlinkNow’s Sustainability Coordinator Sunita Bhandari, “We are all so happy about this new recognition of our PGS group — it validates the work we are doing with organic practices, and it will help the group gain access to more sales opportunities in our community and region.”
The group now supplies food to the local Kopila Valley School’s healthy lunch program and other consumers in the community, creating a sustainable income source and improving access to nutritious food.
The Sana Kishan farmers’ success story is a shining example of how PGS groups can provide opportunities for small-scale farmers, cultivate local support networks, and promote sustainable agriculture. As the demand for local and organic food continues to surge, PGS certification is a robust solution fostering transparency, trust, and mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers.
Image provided by BlinkNow
