Why invest in Participatory Guarantee Systems? Opportunities for organic agriculture and PGS for sustainable food systems

The increasing demand for more nutritious and safe food in Asia is creating both market opportunities and challenges for organic farmers. Obtaining access to this market requires certification, and many smallholder farmers lack the capacity to differentiate their organic products from the conventional products. This prevent smallholder farmers from profiting from these new markets. Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are one option to get around this problem. PGS provide an alternative to certify organic production supplying local markets. This certification is based on trust, social interaction and peer-reviews. Drawing on the findings of FAO pilot project on PGS covering Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, this publication presents the opportunities and limitations of PGS as a tool for transitioning towards sustainable local food systems. This publication aims to raise awareness of PGS among governments, local authorities, development partners, donors, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to encourage them to invest in PGS. Among the reasons for investing in PGS are that they are suitable for smallholder farmers; allow market access; bring opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs; make available fresh and locally produced food; bridge the extension gap in rural communities and contribute towards empowerment for smallholder farmers. General recommendations to guide PGS efforts by national governments and local partners include to enhance public–private collaboration; support consumer education and awareness-raising; create Participatory Guarantee System friendly policies and regulatory frameworks; monitor the impact in the field; strengthen capacities of stakeholders; make realistic and cost-effective planning for long-term sustainability.