Participatory Guarantee Participatory Guarantee

Systems PGSSystems PGS

1

Organic agriculture is a production system that

sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and

people. It relies on ecological processes,

biodiversity and cycles adapted to local

Organic Agriculture (IFOAM)Organic Agriculture (IFOAM)

biodiversity and cycles adapted to local

conditions, rather than the use of inputs with

adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines

tradition, innovation and science to benefit the

shared environment and promote fair

relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

The term Participatory Guarantee System or PGS

was coined in the year 2004 and now PGS is a

household term in many regions of the world.

Australia, Brazil, India, Kenya, NZ, Peru, Spain,

Participatory Guarantee SystemParticipatory Guarantee System

Australia, Brazil, India, Kenya, NZ, Peru, Spain,

South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, USA. In India the

leading states for number of PGS Local Groups

include Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra…

� International workshop

in Brazil 2004

� Analysed 21 alternativecertifications from

around the world.

PGS PGS –– the ideathe idea

around the world.

� Identified the common

elements

4

Supported by many funding organizations who are working on

development issues – HIVOS, SNF, Misereor

� There was a felt need for “organic” certification that was farmer controlled and farmer friendly in operation.

� PGS Certification process is:

� In the language of the farmer, given India‘s linguistic diversity

� Based on Peer Appraisal, not on third party inspection regime.

� Use of the produce for local consumption, not for export.

PGS in IndiaPGS in India-- Background Background

� Use of the produce for local consumption, not for export.

Why did PGS take off to a flying start?

� A new decentralized paradigm in which the small and marginal farmers can participate in the certification process for local markets

� Free from the frustrating third party certification options which are

too expensive, controlled by big business, and inappropriate in a

local context.

� Farmer learning and empowerment

� Facilitates development of local markets

� Encourages community building, supports local

What motivated them?What motivated them?

� Encourages community building, supports local

economies and builds social capital

� Reduces costs but induces volunteer involvement

� Revives organic agriculture

6

Participatory Guarantee Systems are locally

focused quality assurance systems. They certify

producers based on active participation of

What is PGS?What is PGS?

producers based on active participation of

stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.

1. Shared vision

2. Participatory

3. Transparency

4. Trust

5. Learning process

6. Horizontality

Key Elements of PGSKey Elements of PGS

PGS: A Shared VisionPGS: A Shared Vision

ConsumersFarmers

Trader/Buyer

Participation means Participation means T.E.A.MT.E.A.M..Together Everyone Achieves MoreTogether Everyone Achieves More

� Shaping the vision

� Designing the systems and structures

Participation in all aspectsParticipation in all aspects

� Testing and implementing

� Peer review

� Decision making

The idea of ‘trust’ assumes that the individual producer

has a conscience and a commitment to protecting

nature through organic production.

When do you trust someone

TrustTrust

When do you trust someone

�Believe in

�Rely on

�Depend on

�Have confidence in

�Be sure about

� Share common ideals

� Respect & value similar things

Short market chains. No long hauls Short market chains. No long hauls of inputs or produce.of inputs or produce.

� Norms conceived by the stakeholders and recorded

� Grassroots organization – Local Groups

� Suitable to smallholder agriculture, the norm in India

� Principles and values that enhance livelihoods and promote

organic agriculture.

Key Features of PGSKey Features of PGS

organic agriculture.

� Documented management systems and procedures

� Mechanisms to verify farmer’s compliance

� Mechanisms for supporting farmers

� Farmer’s pledge – commitment to comply

� Standard labels

� Clear and previously defined consequences

The PGS Organic India Council meets periodically to

review the progress and take corrective measures,

where necessary.

�Works towards development of PGS in India

PGS Organic India CouncilPGS Organic India Council

�Works towards development of PGS in India

�Assists policy makers to formulate organic farming

policies and to encourage recognition of PGS in the

respective states.

�Supports and provides a platform for sharing

experiences and tools for existing and emerging PGS

Program.

� Institute of Integrated Rural Development

� Organic Farming Association of India

� Keystone Foundation

� Deccan Development Society

PGSOIC Regional CouncilsPGSOIC Regional Councils

� Deccan Development Society

� Chetna Vikas

� Institute of Himalayan Environ. Res. & Edu.

� Timbuktu Collective

� Covenant Centre for Development

� Thanal

� Basic Standards of Organic Farming

� Comprehensive Farmer’s Pledge

� PGS Guidelines Document in English, Hindi, Telugu,

Marathi, Kannada and Malayalam published. Tamil

Documents

OFAI PGS DocumentationOFAI PGS Documentation

�

Marathi, Kannada and Malayalam published. Tamil

version ready for printing.

� Frequently Asked Questions in brochure form

� Reporting formats for Local Groups

� Website Platform www.ofai.org

� Quarterly newsletter in English and Hindi

� Constant email contact

� Telephonic interaction where email services are

not available

Trouble ShootingTrouble Shooting

� Training programs

� Conventions, Workshops, Seminars

� Support for new initiatives like harmonizing

shifting cultivation [ jhum ] with PGS in N.E. India

a) Institutional building

OFAI was founded in 2003 and registered in 2006 with

three fold objectives:

OFAI Participatory OFAI Participatory Guarantee Scheme [PGS] Guarantee Scheme [PGS]

a) Institutional building

b) Association-related activities

c) Outreach programs for the

promotion of organic farming

among special interest groups

including small and marginal

farmers and tribal communities.

The Local Group [LG] consists of FIVE or more Organic

Farmers who participate in helping each other to become,

and remain, totally compliant with the 15 point Basic

Local Group under PGSLocal Group under PGS

and remain, totally compliant with the 15 point Basic

Organic Standards stipulated in the OLS-PGS booklet.

Individual farmers, SHGs, NGOs and other organizations

can volunteer to become a LG. The guarantee that the

product is organic is subject to group participation in

maintaining the trust behind the pledge.

OFAI PGS Local GroupsOFAI PGS Local Groups

� A] Kerala: INFACT

� Total number of groups: 01

� Total Members: 10

� B] Uttar Pradesh: VSK-UP

� Total number of groups: 01� Total number of groups: 01

� Total Members: 11

� C] Maharashtra: MOFF

� Total number of groups: 21

� Total Members: 129

� D] DDS with 42 Local Groups and 210members in Andhra Pradesh is also a part of the OFAI family.

� Initially, Keystone Foundation, Institute of

Integrated Rural Development and others had

participatory systems of their own, with

indigenous communities and traditional and forest

produce

� Consultations held in 2006 to build up a unified

PGS Organic India Council PGS Organic India Council

� Consultations held in 2006 to build up a unified

participatory process by networking nine NGOs

across India

� OFAI takes responsibility to network smaller NGO

across India and link them to PGSOIC

� Produce sold through a network of like minded

organizations & “Green Shops”

� Indigenous knowledge systems and crops

promoted.

+ Stronger relations between

producer-consumer

+ Access for small producers to

quality assurance systems

- High degree of dedication

needed from stakeholders

- Long term process for

capacity building

Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths & Weaknesses

quality assurance systems

+ Stimulates local development

based on local culture

+ Ownership and responsibility

+ Low direct costs

+ Less bureaucracy

capacity building

- Lack of formal recognition

- Complex social organization

- A lot of voluntary work, high

indirect costs

?

Key Groups in a PGS SystemKey Groups in a PGS System

Organization of PGSOrganization of PGS

Local Group = Farmers (and other stakeholders) in same village:

• Local contact point for organics and PGS

Role of Local GroupRole of Local Group

• Local contact point for organics and PGS

• Coordinate the on-farm peer review of each farm (annually)

• Local support network for members

• Collate farmer members' pledges

• Report on area, crops, etc. annually

• Decision on certification

• Take action on fraud/non-compliance

www.ifoam.org

� www.pgsorganic.in

� www.ofai.org

� www.ddsindia.com

� www. iird.org.in

India PGS Websites

Sources of InformationSources of Information

� www. iird.org.in

� www.chetanavikas.org

� www.keystone-foundation.org

� www.timbaktu.org

� www.inhereindia.org

� www.ccd.org.in

� www.thanal.org

Thank You!Thank You!Miguel Braganca, OFAIMiguel Braganca, OFAI