EXPERIENCES FROM UGANDAHow to organize smallholder farmers in Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS)

MUSA.K.MUWANGACHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERNOGAMUP. O. Box 70071, Kampala EMAIL:mkmuwanga@nogamu.org.ug

Introduction to Partcipatory Guarantee Systems (PGS).What is meaning of PGS to you?

Introduction to PGS.• What is a PGS?

TheyShare a common goal with 3rd party certification in provision of credible guarantee for consumers of organic produce.

Participatory Guarantee system (PGS) ,are less formal methods for guaranteeing the organic status of organic farmers production.

However, They have a different approach of direct

participation by all concerned actors are adapted to realities of the small farms,

smallholder farmers & the local markets that they mostly serve.

Background on PGS • PGS concept gained recognition in meeting in 2004 in Brazil organised

by IFOAM.• Representatives worldwide came together to present different

verification systems of grass root farmer initiatives !• After meeting PGS Concept was formalised by IFOAM!• PGS started in Uganda in 2007 after the launching of the East African

Organic Products standard (EAOPS) in Dar es salaam.• It was adopted as an alternative of facilitating organic products

certification for local marketing in Uganda as compared to more costly and rigorous 3rd party(external) certification procedures.

• It’s a more appropriate approach to the smallholder farming practices that are synonymous with most local and regional OA marketing activities in Uganda.

PGS IN UGANDA

Group name Number of producers

‘KULIKA PGS’

23

ABANA JAM NSIZE PGS SCHEME. 67 APPROVED FARMERS33 NEWLY REGISTERED MANGO FARMERS (2013)

GWOKUYAA /BOR PGS 660 APPROVED FARMERS2000 NEW FARMERS WHO HAVE APPLIED AND WHOSE PAPER WORK IS BEING PROCESSED.

P’KWI FARMERS COOPERATIVE PGS 1250 APPROVED FARMERS,2000 FARMERS

NAMULONGE HORTICULTURAL FARMERS PGS. 25 APPROVED MEMBERS AND 50 UNDER CONVERSION

FRESH VEGGIES PGS 88 MEMBER PGS IN 3 AREAS OF WAKISO, BUIKWE AND KIRA PRODUCING AND MARKETING FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.

DISSC 100 YOUTH FARMERS IN MUKONO AND BUIKWE DISTRICT GROWING, VEGETABLES, FRUITS AND CEREALS

Setting up the PGS. Start with what they have / are already doing in groups. Mostly for smallholder farmers (0.25 to 10 acres)— larger farms will be treated as separate entities ( individually inspected) per peer review.Get everyone focused on common commercial project to generate market volumes.Agree together on plans to build capacity, trust& accountability for all members

Setting up the PGS :• Decide on the group Standards to

follow (Based on the East African Organic Products Standards- EAOPS).

• Agree on where and how you want to market your Product .

• Communicate about your product with every potential buyer start in your community

• Now your PGS is complete concentrate on information and building your PGS Networks.

Who could be interested in our PGS Products?

PGS Set up in Uganda( Document please!)

Have a file for each PGS with the following information:• Group PGS Application Form• PGS Manual.• Groups acreage and production estimates.• PGS group Pledge/core values• List of PGS group members• Group marketing Strategy&Group Seasons Planning• Group PGS standards& Group seed source.• Training /peer review ( inspection) records.

PGS Leaders Responsibility• Agree on PGS group

requirements• Follow agreed plans &

procedures• Remain within focused

commercial crops.• Communicate and clarify

requirements to all members.

• .

• Coordinate and ensure that planned individual tasks are effectively carried out by all members.

• Mutually agree on set targets: e.g. Market share to be increased from present to 45% after 1 year.

• Network to build strategic alliances

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS ( PGS in Uganda)• All people along supply chain &outsiders i.e. local

priests, politicians & farmers ,inspectors , sellers, consumers actively involved.

• Organic products are gaining popularity as healthy & safe food for babies and the elite class in Uganda!

• Current PGS Groups have strong leadership & common set of values.

• .Ugandans are ‘’Organic’ by nature – most traditional farming practices blend well with OA

PGS Benefits ‘from the farmers & consumer own Stories’

Below Mrs. Kayongo in her strawberry garden – member Kulika PGS wakiso Uganda.

‘I can earn over 150 USD every two weeks for PGS product branded sales from my supplies to specialty supermarkets and home deliveries and yet ours is just a new PGS ’ Mrs. Kayongo a farmer

‘I feel very satisfied and safe eating not only healthy food but also having it delivered fresh to my home on a weekly basis’ Joy a Fresh Veggies PGS home delivery client

Challenges Encountered!• Local consumers still not adequately sensitised about benefits

of PGS branded organic products!

• Majority of farmers still prefer to work as individuals especially yet PGS requires groups.

• PGS new concept by the consumers & implementers thus lot of publicity required.

• Many un-genuine Self-claims of organic with substandard products stain the image of growing PGS products.

PGS Resources in Uganda

BEST PRACTICES HANDBOOKParticipatory Guarantee System (PGS) for

smallholder organic farmers.

PGS link on NOGAMU website for Relevant PGS issues such IFOAM Publications, List of PGS

Approved groups in Uganda For additional info: Email: pgs@nogamu.org.ug

.

Thank you for your Attentionmkmuwanga

@nogamu.org.ugpgs@nogamu.org.ugwww.nogamu.org.ug

`