Investment in compliance with GlobalGAP standards: Does it pay off for small-scale producers in Kenya?

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture

Publication Date

12-1-2009

Abstract

Limited empirical evidence exists either to refute or confirm the concern that the proliferation and enhanced stringency of private food-safety standards marginalize smallholders from global markets and thus drive them deeper into poverty. In this paper, factors are identified that can explain the decision of small-scale producers to adopt private standards. It is also analysed whether investments in standards compliance pays off for small-scale producers. Using household-level survey data from Kenya, it can be shown that adopters and non-adopters are distinguishable by their wealth status, access to services and level of education. Econometric analysis shows that adoption of standards significantly improves smallholder farm financial performance. The financial rate of return on investments in standards compliance at farm level is high even under conservative assumptions. The major message of the paper is that smallholder farmers who have the ability to invest in required structures benefit substantially from adopting private standards.

Keywords

Adoption, Export producers, GlobalGAP standards, Impact, Kenya

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS