If you are a smallholder farmer practising organic or agroecological farming but can not afford costly certification, you are not alone.

Across Southern Africa, millions of farmers grow food without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Yet they remain invisible in markets, policies, and data simply because they lack a piece of paper.

But there is a powerful alternative gaining ground: Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS).

Unlike traditional certification that relies on outside auditors, PGS is farmer-led, community-based, and trust-driven. It works because it is built on six core principles that put people, not paperwork, at the centre.

Here is what makes PGS different and why it matters for farmers in  South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, and beyond.

1. Grassroots Organisation: Farmers Lead the Way

PGS starts at the local level with groups of 5 to 30 farmers who share a commitment to organic practices.

There is no top-down control. Instead, farmers:

• Form their own group,
• Elect coordinators,
• Set meeting schedules,
• Decide how they willl verify each other’s farms.

This bottom-up structure ensures ownership, relevance, and sustainability because the system is designed by farmers, for farmers.

2. Shared Vision: Everyone Agrees on What “Organic” Means

PGS is not just about rules; it is about shared values.

Farmers come together to define what “organic” means in their context. This might include:

• No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers,
• Use of compost and manure,
• Crop rotation and intercropping,
• Fair treatment of workers,
• Protection of local seeds.

Because the standards are co-created, compliance becomes a collective responsibility, not a punishment.

3. Trust: The Foundation of Every PGS Group

Trust is not  assumed; it is built through regular interaction.

In a PGS group:

• Farmers visit each other’s fields,
• Share challenges and solutions,
• Give honest feedback,
• Celebrate successes together.

Over time, this builds a culture of integrity where cheating does not pay because your neighbours know your farm like their own.

4. Transparency: Openness Builds Credibility

Everything in PGS is open:

• Meeting minutes are shared,
• Inspection reports are posted,
• Decisions are made in full view of the group.

This transparency builds internal accountability and external credibility so buyers, NGOs, and policymakers can trust the PGS label.

Many groups even issue their own seals or labels as proof of organic status, simple, recognisable, and locally meaningful.

5. Participation: Everyone Has a Role

PGS only works when everyone participates.

That means:

• Attending group meetings,
• Taking turns as inspectors,
• Helping new members learn the standards,
• Contributing to training sessions.

This active involvement ensures that knowledge spreads, skills grow, and the group stays strong even when individual members face challenges.

 For women farmers who often lack formal land titles but possess deep agroecological knowledge, PGS offers equal voice and visibility.

6. Horizontality: No One Is Above the Group

Perhaps the most radical principle of PGS is horizontality.

There are no bosses. No external auditors dictating terms. Just peers working as equals.

Decisions are made by consensus. Leadership rotates. Every voice from youth to elders carries weight.

This democratic approach does not just verify organic practices; it builds resilient, inclusive communities.

By embracing these 6 principles,  farmer groups in the region can: 

• Access local and regional organic markets,
• Qualify for climate-smart agriculture funding,
• Influence policy with credible data,
• Build food systems rooted in trust, equity, and ecological wisdom.

Start Your Own PGS Group Today

Ready to bring PGS to your community?

Download the PGS official guide by PGS SA from the link below:

Author: Rabecca Mwila

Rabecca Mwila is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. With a background in climate change and communications, she has spent years telling the untold stories of the realities of climate change, environmental and climate injustices and how they affect vulnerable communities in Africa and beyond.