BAC Reso A2-0249 dtd 7.24.2023_0001

Agri-10 equips MisOr farmers on PhilGAP certification guidelines and inspection protocols. 

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To capacitate farmers and improve their knowledge of food safety, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado through its Regulatory Division conducts training on Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certification Guidelines and Inspection Protocols, on October 16-17.

Luz I. Guzman, PhD, the chief of the DA-10 Regulatory Division stressed the significance of farmers’ adoption of GAP, as it addresses environmental, economic, and social responsibilities for on-farm processes resulting in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products.

Additionally, PhilGAP-certified farms help boost in terms of sustaining farmers’ practices, establish credibility, and broaden market opportunities, as a result of the adherence to PhilGAP standards and principles.

The training also discussed the importance of food safety, GAP Code of Practice for fruit and vegetable farming, the safe handling of pesticides and the demand for safe, quality, and nutritious food in the country alluding to Republic Act 10611, otherwise known as the Food Safety Act of 2013.

To apply the concepts learned during the capabuild, a workshop on proper farm layout factoring in the principles of PhilGAP was also conducted.

DA-10 through its Regulatory Division is responsible for promoting and providing assistance to farmers in applying for PhilGAP certification, along with conducting farm pre-assessments and recommending the applicants to the Regional Executive Director for endorsement to DA-BPI.

The event was joined by 30 fruit and vegetable farmers from Misamis Oriental, particularly five PhilGAP-certified farmers and 35 who are interested in the said approach.

The training was supported by the One DA of Northern Mindanao which includes DA-Bureau of Plant Industry Plant Product Safety Services Division, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. # (CMC)