Empowering smallholders: A win for the planet and the entire value chain

BERLIN, 7 February 2025 — GLOBALG.A.P. convened a panel discussion in the Fresh Produce Forum at Fruit Logistica 2025, titled, The Significance of Smallholders: Rethinking Responsible Farming on a Global Scale. The panellists discussed how adoption of responsible farming practices among smallholders can transform supply chains and ensure a resilient global food system for the future. 

The panel featured GLOBALG.A.P. Managing Director Dr Elmé Coetzer-Boersma, alongside Janine Basso Lisboa, Project Manager at AgroDtech in Brazil, and Manal Saleh, Founder of Blue Moon LLC in Egypt. Success stories underscored how assurance solutions and training initiatives are empowering small-scale growers by bridging the gap between producers and markets while fostering responsible agricultural practices worldwide. 

Bringing smallholders into formal markets 

Dr Coetzer-Boersma pointed out that smallholders produce about 30% of the world’s food supply, yet many lack the resources to meet international certification standards. She explained how GLOBALG.A.P.’s stepwise Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) program has been specifically designed to provide an accessible entry point, equipping small-scale farmers with the education and tools needed to improve productivity and implement responsible farming practices. These assessed smallholders can, in turn, access wider markets. “In South Africa, we recently supported a program that connected smallholder farmers with the supermarket chain SPAR. Through a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders, this rural initiative has already achieved measurable success, delivering tangible benefits for the smallholders,” added Dr Coetzer-Boersma.  

Success Stories from Brazil and Egypt 

Panellists Lisboa and Saleh shared real-world examples of how GLOBALG.A.P.’s assurance solutions are driving change in their respective regions. Smallholder farmers in their programs have successfully increased efficiency, improved crop quality, and landed contracts with profitable markets. Their experiences reinforce the significant role smallholders play in meeting the growing demand for transparent and responsible sourcing throughout the supply chain. 

“Helping smallholders succeed isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about changing habits that have been passed down for generations. That takes time, training, and a market that’s willing to support their journey,” added Janine Basso Lisboa, emphasizing the direct impact of GLOBALG.A.P.’s initiatives on small-scale producers. 

A Resilient and Responsible Future 

Transforming supply chains starts with empowering smallholders to adopt responsible practices. Long-term support, market patience, and access to resources are key to success. Supporting smallholders in improving efficiency and quality while fostering the adoption of responsible farming practices strengthens the global food system and contributes to a more resilient future of agriculture for everyone. 

About GLOBALG.A.P. 

GLOBALG.A.P. is a brand of smart farm assurance solutions developed by FoodPLUS GmbH in Cologne, Germany, with cooperation from producers, retailers, and other stakeholders across the food industry. These solutions include a range of standards for safe, socially and environmentally responsible farming practices. The most widely used GLOBALG.A.P. standard is IFA, applicable to fruit and vegetables, aquaculture, floriculture, and more. This standard also forms the basis for the GGN label – the consumer label for certified, responsible farming and transparency. 

The GLOBALG.A.P. brand began its journey as EUREPGAP in 1997. Now, over twenty-five years later, more than 200,000 producers are under GLOBALG.A.P. certification in 132 countries. Nearly 150 team members around the world are dedicated to the mission of spreading responsible farming practices to ensure safe food for future generations. 

Press contact: Leonie Fischer - pressoffice@globalgap.org