Between information asymmetry and shared uncertainty, an analysis of organic certification systems for the Kenyan domestic market [Entre asymétrie d'information et incertitude partagée analyse des systèmes de certification biologique pour le marché domestique Kenyan]

The Kenyan organic agricultural product markets face two main challenges: information asymmetry and shared uncertainty among partners. In order to analyze the stability of these markets, we compare different certification and control systems. Thus, we have built a specific analytical framework regarding the determinants of choices, which we have applied based on semi-structured interviews conducted with stakeholders in the sectors. The major control mechanism, Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGSs), is the least effective in taking account of information asymmetry and shared uncertainty, which has increased in these emerging markets and in a period of transition between mechanisms.‪