This info sheet presents the key concepts related to Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), where they are found, why they are suitable for smallholder farmers and the benefits. This info sheet was prepared under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP/RAS/3510) on “Small-Scale Farmer Inclusion in Organic Agriculture Development through Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS)”. PGS is a low-cost, locally based system of quality assurance with a strong emphasis on social control and knowledge building”. This system is based on the active participation of farmers, consumers, rural advisors, local authorities: they come together in order to make decisions, visit farms, support each other and check that farmers are producing according to an Organic Standard.

PGS is a low-cost, locallybased system of quality assurance with a strong emphasis on social control and knowledge building”. This system is based on the active participation of farmers, consumers, rural advisors, local authorities: they come together in order to make decisions, visit farms, support each other and check that farmers are producing according to an Organic Standard.