Publication:
Is Amazon nut certification a solution for increased smallholder empowerment in Peruvian Amazonia?

dc.contributor.authorQuaedvlieg, J.
dc.contributor.authorRoca, M.G.
dc.contributor.authorRos-Tonen, M.A.F.
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-23T18:58:57Z
dc.date.available2022-01-23T18:58:57Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://open.fsc.org/handle/resource/1131
dc.titleIs Amazon nut certification a solution for increased smallholder empowerment in Peruvian Amazonia?en
dcterms.accessRightsPublic
dcterms.accessRightsLimited access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationQuaedvlieg, J. et al. 2014. Is Amazon nut certification a solution for increased smallholder empowerment in Peruvian Amazonia? Journal of Rural Studies.en
dcterms.issued2014-01
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.typeJournal Article
dspace.entity.typePublication
fsc.evidenceCategoryFSC impact-related
fsc.focus.forestProductN9 Food
fsc.focus.forestTypeNatural Forest
fsc.focus.forestZoneTropical
fsc.focus.sustainDimensionEconomic
fsc.focus.sustainDimensionSocial
fsc.focus.sustainDimensionPolitical, legal, systemic
fsc.focus.tenureManagementSmallholder
fsc.focus.tenureOwnershipSmallholder
fsc.inTransitionno*
fsc.issue.economicMarkets
fsc.issue.economicForest management
fsc.issue.economicBenefits, motivations, reasons for certification
fsc.issue.economicCosts, obstacles, barriers to certification
fsc.issue.socialLocal communities
fsc.issue.socialIndigenous peoples
fsc.subjectCooperatives
fsc.subjectMarkets
fsc.subjectSmallholders
fsc.subjectForest management
fsc.subjectBenefits, motivations, reasons
fsc.subjectSupply chain benefits
fsc.subjectCertification
fsc.subjectCosts, obstacles, barriers
fsc.subjectMarket access
fsc.subjectImproved management
fsc.subjectLocal communities
fsc.subjectIndigenous peoples
fsc.subjectBenefits, motivations, reasons for certification
fsc.topic.economicMarket access
fsc.topic.economicImproved management
fsc.topic.economicPrice premium
fsc.topic.socialConsultation, participation, empowerment
is.availability.fullTextFull text available
is.contributor.memberForest Stewardship Council
is.coverage.countryPeru
is.coverage.countryAlpha2PE
is.coverage.geographicLevelRegion
is.coverage.latitude-12.616110
is.coverage.longitude-70.390022
is.coverage.regionSouth America
is.evaluation.collectionMixed methods
is.evaluation.collectionInterviews/surveys
is.evaluation.counterfactsYes
is.evaluation.dataSourceIndependent researcher data
is.evaluation.findingsFSC-certified Amazon nuts have not yet reached a market.
is.evaluation.findingsFSC-certification offered a net benefit of US$ 0.17/kg of Amazon nut, which is the same as what organic certification offers.
is.evaluation.findingsFairtrade certification offered a higher benefit per kg of Amazon nut than what FSC-certification offered (US$ 0.34 and 0.17/kg, respectively).
is.evaluation.outcomeyes
is.evaluation.quotesThe study showed that the alliances among producers, marketing firms and NGOs involved in certification in Madre de Dios have not brought the economic empowerment outcomes (increased assets, capabilities and freedom to make economic choices) that were originally expected. However, these alliances have helped increase the castañeros' political empowerment (giving them a voice and increased self-confidence in their ability to effect change) by strengthening their collective social and political capital.
is.evaluation.quotesBoth FSC standards (Klooster, 2005; Taylor, 2005b) and sanitary standards for organic-certified products (Quaedvlieg, 2009) tend to become requirements for accessing the market rather than opportunities to obtain a premium price. At best, the acquired skills mean that producers are able to maintain access to mainstream markets.
is.evaluation.quotesThose involved in FSC certification also learned to improve forest management and reduce negative environmental impacts
is.evaluation.quotesHigher costs due to the adaptation of production processes and high assessment and auditing costs are not compensated by sufficient price premiums for producers, while a lack of ecological information, production capacity, processing technology, managerial skills and distribution channels, high transportation costs to reach markets, a lack of appropriate standards and market information, and limited markets for certified products are additional hindrances. FSC certification (forest certification) is generally said to be more demanding and expensive than organic or Fairtrade (product) certification, while premium prices are lower. The decision ofASCART to desist from FSC certification is not unique and has also been reported for Amazon nut producers in Bolivia and maple syrup producers in Rupert, Vermont (US) (Pierce in Shanley et al., 2008: 11e12).
is.evaluation.quotesThe results show that certification has thus far had limited effects on castañeros' material assets (financial and physical capital) and also that Amazon nut certification does not necessarily represent an economic improvement for producers in the Amazon nut sector of Madre de Dios. Amazon nut certification would not have been possible without the support of NGOs and international donors. This corresponds with the obstacles to smallholder and community certification identified by Klooster (2005), Molnar (2003), Pattberg (2006) and Shanley et al. (2008).
is.evaluation.quotesTheir production and management skills improved, however. Producers have learned the importance of product quality and how to improve it in order to meet international market standards. In particular, NGOs provided training in handling the Amazon nuts according to more sanitary practices such as separating their garbage and transporting and drying their Amazon nuts in a clean and ventilated manner. Those involved in FSC certification also learned to improve forest management and reduce negative environmental impacts, while those who participated in an Internal Control Group learned to monitor whether the association members complied with the FSC standards.
is.evaluation.significanceStatistically significant
is.evidenceResourceTypePrimary
is.evidenceSubTypeEmpirical study - qualitative
is.evidenceSummaryThe study assess the difference that sustainability certification has made to Amazon nut (Brazil nut) producers in rural Peru. It looks at the potential of including producers for non-timber forest products into export value chains and the difference this could make to their political and economic empowerment.
is.evidenceTypeEmpirical study
is.extent.pages41-55
is.extent.volume33
is.focus.productsBrazil nuts
is.focus.sdgSDG 1 - No Poverty
is.focus.sdgSDG 12 - Responsible Production and Consumption
is.focus.sectorsAgriculture
is.focus.sectorsForestry
is.focus.sustainDimensionEconomic
is.focus.sustainDimensionSocial
is.focus.sustainIssueConsumers and supply chains
is.focus.sustainIssueParticipant costs and benefits
is.focus.sustainLensCooperatives
is.focus.sustainLensSmallholders
is.focus.sustainLensSupply chain benefits
is.focus.sustainOutcomeMarket access
is.focus.sustainOutcomePrice premiums
is.focus.sustainOutcomeProduct income
is.focus.sustainOutcomeSales of product
is.focus.sustainOutcomeSustainable sourcing
is.focus.systemElementMandE outcomes and impacts
is.focus.systemElementMandE performance monitoring
is.identifier.codeImpacts
is.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2013.10.004
is.identifier.fscdoihttp://dx.doi.org/10.34800/fsc-international391
is.identifier.schemeNameFairtrade International
is.identifier.schemeNameForest Stewardship Council
is.identifier.schemeNameInternational Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
is.identifier.schemeTypeVoluntary Sustainability Standards
is.item.reviewStatusPeer reviewed
is.journalNameJournal of Rural Studies
Download
Collections