Reminders when getting Good Agricultural Practices certification for corn farming

and Mindanao. With this, it is important to grow corn that is safe and healthy for the producers, consumers, and the environment.

Through GAP, it prevents microbial, chemical, and physical hazards that might occur in producing and processing agricultural commodities like corn. These hazards must be eluded to be able to pass the standards.

Here are four things that farmers must prepare and consider to be GAP-certified:

1. FARM LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT

In the PhilGAP program, inspectors visit farms to check their land history. This is to avoid any chemical and microbial hazards that might have occurred from the previous land uses. For instance, a farm may not be suitable to corn farming if it has been formerly used as a landfill, dumpsite, or a cemetery. These are prohibited due to the microbial and chemical risks that may come from the soil. Before applying for GAP, farmers must know the history of their lot.

2. STRUCTURE AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE

When it comes to farm establishments, you will need to have a warehouse for the corn harvests, a storage area for farm supplies and materials such as fertilizers and pesticides, and a protection shed if you have farm machinery. Carillo clarifies that if you do not store produce on-site and you directly sell them after harvest, then you won’t need a warehouse.

Each building must have enough distance from each other and from the production area itself to prevent contamination. Through separate facilities, farmers will be able to manage the farm hazards better.

The storage room for harmful chemicals and equipment must be locked when not in use. By doing this, you are preventing little ones from playing with dangerous farm supplies and materials.

Facilities don't have to be gigantic; you can be resourceful by reusing old items like a refrigerator to store pesticides. Prevent any pests like rats on the farm to protect the harvested corn.

For maintenance, regularly check sewage and drainage systems. Remove wastes and weeds in waterways to prevent blockage. It is also recommended to have labels in every plot for crop management.

3. THE USE OF FERTILIZER

Fertilizers are categorized into two: inorganic or organic. These can be utilized to provide nutrients to the plant. If you’re buying fertilizers, make sure to keep the receipts as it is also part of GAP requirements that will be the proof of your purchase. The proper use of fertilizer is also important. For example, urea fertilizer must be dissolved in potable or clean water and not the water from canal or irrigation for sanitary purposes.

“If you would apply organic fertilizer, it must be well-decomposed or well-fermented,” said Carillo. Improper use of animal manure is one hazard that must be prevented on the farm, too.

4. PESTICIDE APPLICATION