National Training Workshop for Cluster Certification Trainers

C.V. Mohan presents on aquaculture certification and market access and the implications for small-scale farmers.

Miao Weimin presents on aquaculture certification opportunities and challenges for small scale farmers.

Michael Phillips presents on Thailand's Good Aquaculture Practices certification scheme, and compares it to global standards.

A cluster-based approach allows small-scale farmers to participate in aquaculture certification schemes.

Small-scale farmers face many challenges in the face of globalisation. Ever-increasingly competition, increasingly strict food safety and evironmental standards, and a growing regulatory burden can make it difficult for small farmers to survive. A cluster or cooperative approach can help farmers achieve economies of scale to remain competitive.

A comparison of the variance between Thailand GAP and the global standard, and it's application to the aquaculture industry.

Cost and logistical constraints can be barriers to the inclusion of small-scale farmers in aquaculture certification schemes. Adopting a cluster-based approach, where groups of adjacent farms are certified together, can facilitate the participation of small-scale producers maintain their access to markets. Group-based certification can also assist with extension and implementation of better management practices required to achieve certification and compliance monitoring.