SMALLHOLDERS' MOST COMMON WEAKNESSES

Each of the weaknesses can be addressed and is discussed in greater detail in the indicated sections of the guide:

• High cost of monitoring to ensure traceability of produce. To overcome this, devolution of responsibility and design and implementation of appropriate record keeping and monitoring techniques is essential.
  More information: Performance monitoring and recording and record keeping and monitoring.
  
  
• High transaction costs because of the need for greater organization and co-ordination. To overcome this, group formation is essential.
  More information: Forming and managing producer groups and Lowering transaction costs
  
  
• Difficulty in obtaining technical information, advice, services and essential inputs such as credit, seeds, fertilizers, and machinery. Arrangements must be made to enable smallholders to access essential information and inputs if they are to produce for export markets.
  More information: Which services are needed? , Credit, Research, Training and Extension, Agro-chemicals, Fertilizers and Seeds, Crop storage, Purchasing and Transportation.
  
  
• Have weak negotiation skills often accompanied by poor levels of education. To overcome this, it is essential to build genuine partnerships based on viable market opportunities, transparency and trust.
  More information: Specifying partners' roles, Forming and managing producer groups