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Collaboration to Address the Challenges Faced by Smallholders in Practicing Organic Agriculture: A Case Study of the Organic Sorghum Industry in Zunyi City, China

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  • Sheng Wu

    (Institute of Modern Agricultural Development, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Science, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Shanwei Li

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

In many developing countries, organic agriculture is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for promoting rural economic development and improving farmer welfare. It is primarily smallholders who form the foundation of organic production in these areas. However, these farmers face significant challenges in adopting organic farming methods. The aim of this paper is to investigate solutions to the challenges encountered by smallholders. This research utilizes an integrated approach and includes a case study of the organic sorghum sector in Zunyi, China. The findings indicate that (1) a robust partnership has been established between enterprises, government, and farmers in the organic sorghum industry in Zunyi. Enterprises purchase the sorghum, cover organic certification costs, and partially fund material inputs, while local government facilitates organization, coordination, and technical support, with farmers responsible for production. (2) This collaboration has catalyzed high-quality development in the industry, benefiting all stakeholders. (3) Through this collaborative model, common challenges faced by smallholders, such as obstacles in obtaining certification, income fluctuations, and unfair market conditions, have been mitigated. Consequently, smallholders secure stable and reliable income as they benefit from favorable contract prices for organic sorghum and the assumption by enterprises of most material input costs. This study offers valuable empirical evidence that can guide the expansion of organic agriculture in similar regions and countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheng Wu & Shanwei Li, 2024. "Collaboration to Address the Challenges Faced by Smallholders in Practicing Organic Agriculture: A Case Study of the Organic Sorghum Industry in Zunyi City, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:5:p:726-:d:1389973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joyce Thamaga-Chitja & Sheryl Hendriks, 2008. "Emerging issues in smallholder organic production and marketing in South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 317-326.
    2. Eva-Marie Meemken & Matin Qaim, 2018. "Organic Agriculture, Food Security, and the Environment," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 10(1), pages 39-63, October.
    3. Lili Geng & Shaocong Yan & Qi Lu & Xiaomeng Liang & Yufei Li & Yongji Xue, 2023. "A Rural Land Share Cooperative System for Alleviating the Small, Scattered, and Weak Dilemma in Agricultural Development: The Cases of Tangyue, Zhouchong, and Chongzhou," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Chenchen Ren & Xinyue Zhou & Chen Wang & Yaolin Guo & Yu Diao & Sisi Shen & Stefan Reis & Wanyue Li & Jianming Xu & Baojing Gu, 2023. "Ageing threatens sustainability of smallholder farming in China," Nature, Nature, vol. 616(7955), pages 96-103, April.
    5. Barrett, Christopher B., 2008. "Smallholder market participation: Concepts and evidence from eastern and southern Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 299-317, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuying Yang & Yubin Wang, 2024. "The Impact of Government Subsidies and Quality Certification on Farmers’ Adoption of Green Pest Control Technologies," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Hao Li & Shuqi Yang & Juping Yan & Wangsheng Gao & Jixiao Cui & Yuanquan Chen, 2024. "From Conventional to Organic Agriculture: Influencing Factors and Reasons for Tea Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Farming in Pu’er City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-17, November.

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