Small Producer Participation in Global Food Systems: Policy Opportunities and Constraints

Abstract

Access to markets is increasingly seen as an essential element in providing a route out of poverty, especially for small producers of food crops in rural areas. However, the nature of those markets is changing and bringing about shifts in both levels and forms of participation by small producers in global food systems. Small producers face new difficulties, for example in meeting high standards, but there are also new initiatives, for example by fair trade companies and co-operatives. This article focuses on nine initiatives and asks what small producers must do to achieve effective and sustainable access to markets, and how different private and public organisations can contribute to this.

New thinking in international trade? A case study of The Day Chocolate Company

“…This appears to support the work done by Page and Slater (2003) on ways to overcome barriers for smallholder farmers in developing countries. The principal problems facing a new fair trade start-up chocolate company are the highly competitive forces, which prevail in this sector dominated by large corporations with pre-eminent brands built on decades of expensive advertising spend.…”

“…Mr Ohemeng, Managing Director of Kuapa, explains that 'the real value is in the finished branded chocolate product' (interview 2001). Page and Slater (2003) argue that access to markets and the understanding of these markets is a key route for small-scale producers out of poverty; the governance structure of Day appears to provide such access. Before examining how Day combines both social and business goals, our research process will first be outlined.…”

Green for gold: social and ecological tradeoffs influencing the sustainability of the Brazilian soy industry

“…5740) to improve and expand technical assistance in rural areas for vulnerable farmers by making the existing technical programs more participatory, multidisciplinary, equitable and culturally appropriate. Although these targeted credit and technical assistance programs may help small farmers improve their existing practices, it is unlikely that they will help small farmers overcome the structural barriers that prevent them from participating in the production of high-value export crops, including a lack of assets, secure land tenure, education and physical access to markets, as well as higher average costs (Page and Slater 2003;Barrett 2008).…”

A Truly Co‐operative Venture: The Case Study of Co‐operative Food, a Retailer Response to Fair Trade

“…Ransom (2005) argues the availability of FT products provides something practical that almost anyone can do to counteract the current international trading system's injustices. Page and Slater (2003) argue that access to markets and the understanding of these markets is a key route for small-scale producers out of poverty. According to The Economist (2006) deciding to buy FT products in grocery stores sends out a very clear political message.…”