Food Safety and Quality Standards in the Thai Horticultural Sector

Abstract

GlobalGAP is the most important private standard for producers in the Thai horticultural sector concerning access to high-value markets, especially to Europe. This chapter presents an analysis of GlobalGAP adoption by small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers in Thailand focusing on GlobalGAP group certification, the costs and perceived benefits of GlobalGAP adoption, and the factors influencing standard adoption. In our research area, GlobalGAP group certification has encouraged the formation of new institutional arrangements between farmers, exporters and donors. Farmers participating in a development program were organized in certification groups where the Quality Management System (QMS) was either run by the donor, by the exporter, or by farmers themselves. Results of our adoption model suggest that support by donors, exporters and public-private partnerships are vital to enable small-scale farmers to adopt the standard. Furthermore, farmers are more likely to adopt if they are better educated and more experienced, and if they have access to female family labor, improved farming technology, and information and extension services.

Assessment of adoption of Global GAP standard: Evidences from Fruit and Vegetable farmers

“…Easy tasks like wildlife management were generally agreed upon (30-50%), while those requiring specific infrastructure were declared difficult (43-50%). Previous research supports these findings; Kersting ( 2013 ) emphasizes the need for new or improved infrastructure for GGAP certification, and John ( 2013 ) highlights the substitutional cost involved. Niemiec and Komorowska ( 2019 ) identified funds as a major barrier, especially for small and poor farmers (Narrod et al , 2009 ; Nicetic et al , 2010 ).…”