𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗦𝗛𝗙𝘀) 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗦𝗛𝗙𝘀) 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺

While certifications like Organic, Fair Trade, and GlobalG.A.P. unlock access to premium international markets, the **implementation cost**—especially the **recurring annual certification fees**—remains a **significant barrier for SHFs**. Many cannot justify or afford the ongoing expenses, despite being eager to comply and improve.

𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳

Relying on a single certification may not be sufficient to tap into all available global markets. But having multiple certifications multiplies costs. This dilemma causes many SHFs to be left out of profitable trade networks, reducing their competitiveness and discouraging participation in global value chains.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼: 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

✅ Subsidized Group Certifications: Empower cooperatives or regional groups to obtain shared certifications that reduce per-farmer costs.

✅ Government/NGO Grants: Create public-private partnerships to sponsor annual certification renewals for SHFs.

✅ Result-Based Payment Models: Allow SHFs to pay gradually or after realizing export sales, reducing upfront barriers.

✅ Digital Monitoring Tools: Use low-cost tech platforms to streamline audits and lower admin costs for both certifiers and SHFs.

✅ Global Buyer Inclusion: Buyers and exporters can co-finance certification as part of long-term sourcing commitments.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲

If we want inclusive and sustainable trade, certification systems must evolve to be accessible. Empowering SHFs through more affordable certification models is not charity—it’s good business and global impact.