PGS South Africa

PGS South Africa (PGSSA) is a non-profit voluntary association of farmers, producers, retailers and consumers. Our objective is to support the establishment of Participatory Guarantee Systems in South Africa to facilitate market access for local organic growers and to create an environment where consumers are assured of the integrity of organic products. 

To achieve this we aim to:

• Support the training and development of smallholder farmers farming using organic and agroecology principles

• Develop a sustainable market access system for producers

• Maintain the integrity of products by promoting and implementing transparent, horizontal, producer-focused Participatory Guarantee Systems

“Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.” IFOAM Organics International  http://www.ifoam.bio/en/organic-policy-guarantee/participatory-guarantee-systems-pgs

PGS adopt the IFOAM Organics International definition and principles of organic agriculture. PGS develop where there is shared need. Smallholder organic farmers have surplus and consumers are looking for organic assurance. Worldwide, PGS is seen as a complimentary alternative to third-party organic certification for smallholder farmers and producers. PGS includes the important process of farmers being assessed by their peers, as well as other stakeholders like consumers and local interest groups. Since PGS are developed by the communities in which they exist, they are all unique. 

Established or developing PGS groups may apply for membership to PGSSA by completing the application and self-assessment forms. It is important to note that the completion, not the result, of the self-assessment questionnaire is a requirement for membership of PGSSA. Once a member, the PGS group has access to assistance from PGSSA to implement mechanisms to support the characteristics of PGS where they are either absent or still developing.