Summary
This research investigates the effects of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs) on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods within crop-based food commodity value chains in Ghana and Vietnam. Using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF), the study examines how VSSs (e.g. Fairtrade, GlobalGAP, Rainforest Alliance) influence the capital endowments upon which farmers depend. A systematic review of 26 empirical studies from the Evidensia Library was conducted to assess the effects of VSSs on 15 economic, social, and environmental indicators within the SLF. The main findings suggest that VSSs can enhance income, capacity building, and value chain integration among farmers, alongside other socioeconomic and environmental benefits. However, negative effects are primarily associated with high input costs, biodiversity impacts, and the use of agrochemicals. Moreover, challenges and trade-offs persist, including limited women’s participation and the transfer of price premiums to smallholder farmers adopting sustainability schemes. This study underscores critical issues in the implementation of VSSs and provides policy recommendations, including fostering bottom-up approaches for extension service provision. It also emphasizes the need for stronger partnerships among governments, development agencies, and multistakeholder initiatives to address chronic issues of the agrifood system in developing countries, and to enhance the role of VSSs in advancing the SDGs by 2030.