Global standards and local knowledge building: Upgrading small producers in developing countries

Abstract

Local knowledge building is a crucial factor for upgrading small producers and improving their market competitiveness and livelihoods. The rise of global standards affecting food safety and environmental sustainability in agriculture sparks debates on the impact on smallholders in developing countries. This article presents a perspective on the links of international standards to knowledge and institution building for developing the capabilities of small producers. Interacting with global practices, indigenous private and public actors create local institutions to develop capabilities for product and process innovations that contribute to economic development and enhance food security. Local innovation depends on collective strategic efforts through increasing networks among small producers and other organizations, including firms, nongovernmental organizations, and government, that foster knowledge circulation and bring diverse resources and support to build local capabilities.

Paths of convergence for agriculture, health, and wealth

“…The articles presented in this special feature on agriculture development and nutrition security are concerned with joint value creation among key sectors (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(14)(15)(16). The proposed solution-oriented transdisciplinary approach to science, policies, and actions should support smallholder and nonsmallholder agriculture and forge rural-urban links where farm and nonfarm activities singly and jointly contribute to nutrition security for the poorest and most vulnerable.…”

“…With one exception [the examination by Timmer (8) of the formation of smallholders' price expectations during food price crises], the papers in this feature have only partially integrated or expanded on developments in decision sciences and behavioral economics (6,7,(9)(10)(11)(12)(14)(15)(16). A deeper consideration of this knowledge is needed to provide an actionable understanding of the array of rational and less rational motives and processes driving human decision making and behavior in diverse reallife contexts (2).…”

Linking Globalization to Local Land Uses: How Eco-Consumers and Gourmands are Changing the Colombian Coffee Landscapes

“…More recently, the literature has expanded to include analyses on differentiated markets, with particular attention to the advent of ethically traded products and its potential to produce fairer conditions in the distribution of value among actors and for improving the competitive position (upgrading) in the upstream links (Dauvergne & Lister, 2012;Giovannucci & Ponte, 2005;Lee, Gereffi, & Beauvais, 2010;Perez-Aleman, 2011;Petkova, 2006). The global value chain for coffee has received significant attention, especially as it pertains to Latin American farmers (Daviron & Ponte, 2005;Fitter & Kaplinsky, 2001;Giovannucci & Ponte, 2005;Muradian & Pelupessy, 2005;Perez-Aleman, 2011;Petkova, 2006;Ponte, 2002;Talbot, 1997;Valkila, 2009).…”

Responding to Globalization: Impacts of Certification on Colombian Small-Scale Coffee Growers

“…The need to comply with a strict set of criteria, coupled with a more explicit exposure to market trends and preferences, can promote institutional and individual changes of benefit to farmers. Adopting quality and environmental standards improves the ability of smallholders to build local networks that foster knowledge circulation and bring resources to local actors (Perez-Aleman 2012). Certification can also generate spillover effects on the adjacent farms and communities through technological diffusion and improved transparency and traceability in the market.…”