La pandemia y sus efectos: La certificación promueve la resiliencia de los agricultores

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) can enhance the resilience of small-scale producers during crises, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a study of six commodity sectors across six countries, the document analyzes the role of certification in mitigating price drops and contract cancellations, while also identifying the limitations of VSS in addressing systemic power imbalances and international market volatility. It concludes with policy recommendations for governments to support smallholder resilience through social protection, minimum pricing, and the stimulation of demand for sustainable products.

• Voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) can increase the resilience of small producers by enabling them to secure higher prices or premiums compared to conventional markets, which improves their capacity to invest and adapt during crises. For example, organic rice producers in Cambodia and coffee farmers in Rwanda achieved higher incomes and profits through VSS-governed markets.
• VSS foster stronger, more supportive relationships between buyers and producers, which can lead to more secure market access and faster recovery from crises. In India, some VSS-compliant cotton farmers maintained their orders and received seeds and inputs despite lockdown restrictions, while organic cashew producers in Guinea-Bissau reactivated sales faster due to buyer guidance on hygiene and distancing protocols.
• Certification can expand market options and diversification for producers, reducing their vulnerability. In Guatemala, VSS allowed producers to access international markets, making them less affected by the pandemic than conventional producers who relied solely on the national market. In Cambodia and Guinea-Bissau, the low number of certified producers reduced competition, providing greater security for contracts.
• The culture of training and protocol adherence required by VSS certifications better prepared some farmers to implement health and safety measures during the pandemic. Producers in Guatemala, Colombia, and Rwanda were noted as being more capable of adopting COVID-19 hygiene and mask protocols because they were already accustomed to following certification standards.
• VSS have significant limitations and do not fully protect producers from international price volatility or asymmetric power dynamics. In India, most VSS-compliant cotton (excluding organic and extra-long fiber) saw prices drop below the government's minimum support price. Furthermore, the study found that membership in agricultural cooperatives, rather than certification alone, was the primary driver of contract stability in Cambodia.
• The benefits of VSS may decrease over time as the supply of certified products increases and competition grows, unless there is a corresponding increase in market demand. This was specifically noted in the emerging VSS sectors of Guinea-Bissau and Cambodia.
• Governments can enhance smallholder resilience by implementing five key strategies: stimulating consumption of sustainable products through taxes or subsidies, establishing sustainable sourcing regulatory frameworks, connecting producers with supportive supply chain actors, expanding social protection programs (such as cash transfers), and setting minimum prices to ensure a living income.
• The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption for small producers, including contract cancellations, labor shortages during planting and harvesting, and logistics bottlenecks. In India, it was estimated that between 70% and 80% of cotton contracts were not honored due to market closures in the European Union.

APA

Elder, S. (2021). La pandemia y sus efectos: La certificación promueve la resiliencia de los agricultores. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-05/covid-19-certification-farmer-resilience-es.pdf

Chicago

Elder, Sara. La pandemia y sus efectos: La certificación promueve la resiliencia de los agricultores. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-05/covid-19-certification-farmer-resilience-es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Elder |first1=Sara |title=La pandemia y sus efectos: La certificación promueve la resiliencia de los agricultores |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=April 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-05/covid-19-certification-farmer-resilience-es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{elder2021pandemia, author = {Elder, Sara}, title = {{La pandemia y sus efectos: La certificación promueve la resiliencia de los agricultores}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-05/covid-19-certification-farmer-resilience-es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }