GAP-certified farmers on the rise
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 3 is intensifying its efforts to give out Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certifications to farmers in Central Luzon.
The DA said that its Regulatory Division, along with the Bureau of Plant Industry leads the certification of GAP to farmers as national inspectors following site inspections on farmlands in Region 3.
The agency provided certifications to these farms that follow the measures set by the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) from 12 to 16 July.
Under the Bagong Pananaw sa Agrikultura programs, the agency aims to increase in the number of harvested produce and income of farmers, along with the strength and competitiveness of farmers and fishermen to ensure food security in the country.
The GAP has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of farmers, ecological preservation, increased quality of harvested produce, and good health to the consumers.
Some of the commodities of farmers that were GAP-certified include calamansi, onions, mangoes, guava, jackfruit, cassava, papaya, corn, and other assorted vegetables.
In all, there are 18 farms that have passed the final inspection of the Regional Gap team and the BPI which include 14 new farms and four farms that were given a renewal in their certifications.
The agency also conducted an annual monitoring on 44 farms in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga and Zambales.
According to the Regional GAP team during their meeting in June, they gave GAP certifications to farmers practicing hydroponics. The certification provided consideration on farmers who are not using farmlands in the production of food.
Currently, there are 177 GAP certified farms in the whole of Central Luzon.
The agency sought to increase in the number of harvested produce and income of farmers along with the strength and competitiveness of farmers and fishermen.