Summary
In 2018, ISEAL conducted research aiming to uncover smallholder perspectives on standards, explore the issues facing small certified producers and suggest opportunities for innovation and scaling-up of standards systems to meet producer needs. The paper base its findings in 63 semi-structured interviews conducted with ISEAL member certified producers in five countries, as well as conversations with those who provide support and extension services to producers and three group workshops with producers and members of the standards community. The report identify cross-cutting challenges identified by producers: fluctuating and low prices for certified products, accessibility and cost of assurance, low market demand, rising costs of agricultural inputs, climate change, the natural environment and human safety, access to finance and demand for practical education, data access and information sharing.
