This research shows that initial costs are a barrier to entry for exporters and hence farmers, and are a barrier to expansion for those firms already sourcing EurepGAP-certified product from smallholders in Kenya. It is difficult to see how in Kenya or in other countries, these high costs will be surmounted other than through persistent donor intervention.  Investment in reducing the costs of infrastructure, especially irrigation, is justified by the argument that the control points for EurepGAP compliance for smallholders need to be made less costly. Donors have a key role to play in making this happen and championing the role of smallholders in export supply chains and in the standard setting process.

The short 2 page brief can be downloaded below. A longer academic and fully peer reviewed version is available as part of the Fresh Insights series here [0]