Case Study: UTZ Certified Rooibos Farms in South Africa

In 2013 UTZ Certified decided to conduct a study with the Rooibos certificate holders to determine whether practices on farm had changed since certification. This study focussed on the specific impact areas of the UTZ Theory of Change and farm and processor managers and workers were interviewed to determine their view of change in these areas. These specific impact areas included: better farming methods and better crop, better income and market access, better working conditions, better care for nature and better care for next generations.

The study used a mixed methods approach to identify the changes since joining the UTZ program. The mixed methods approach included both qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, individual story-telling and assessing if workers employed by these certified businesses are above or below the national poverty line. All UTZ certified farms and processors were included in the study. While the study cannot fully establish the attribution of the changes described to the UTZ program only, it has allowed mapping the UTZ certificate holders’ characteristics and their perceptions of changes since the introduction of the UTZ certification.