Linking the willingness of smallholder dairy farmers to adopt minimum food safety and quality standards to the country's export potential

Food safety is a crucial aspect of human well-being, covered under the second sustainable development goal (SDG). Sustainable food supply chains must ensure compliance with food safety standards from farm to fork. Consumers in developed countries are becoming ever more demanding regarding 'producers' compliance with food safety and quality standards. Most food products ending up in high-end markets come from developing countries, predominantly agricultural economies characterised by fragmented and smallholder farmers. Owing to enhanced agricultural exports, developing countries are struggling to implement or improve food safety standards. This study examines the link between the willingness of smallholder dairy farmers to adopt minimum food safety standards and the country's ability to export agri-food products. Moreover, it investigates the role of farmer's supply chain learning and level of value addition in this relationship. A cross-section of 260 smallholder dairy farmers was surveyed from four districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan through purposive sampling. The data were collected using a questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale to gauge 'farmers' responses. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We found significant mediation of supply chain learning and value addition between compliance with minimum food safety standards and the country's export potential. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on food safety by testing its relationship with a country's export potential and the factors affecting this relationship. Moreover, it provides food for thought for policymakers in food safety.

Automated summary

Food safety is crucial for human well-being and sustainable development. This study examines the relationship between smallholder dairy farmers' adoption of food safety standards and a country's ability to export agri-food products. It also investigates the role of supply chain learning and value addition in this relationship. The findings highlight the importance of compliance with food safety standards and suggest implications for policymakers.