Farmers from Sibulan, Negros Oriental, after the conduct of the pre-assessment for Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certification are now willing to adopt the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The pre-assessment held recently in Sibulan, was aimed to evaluate the knowledge, abilities and practices of the farmers on GAP standards, as well as their readiness to adopt the Philippine National Standards (PNS), if they are required or needed to undergo training and other necessary support to meet the certification requirement.
Farmer-participant Rodgen Libunao of Sibulan, shared that he looked forward of becoming a certified GAP practitioner, with his reasons to include enhanceing food safety and quality, increase yield, reduce environmental degradation and improve market access.
Libunao is currently cultivating 6 hectares of farmland planted with 2000 banana plants, intercropped with red chilli pepper, cassava, papaya and other commodity. Though a Political Science graduate, and with units of Elementary Education, Libunao wished to incorporate this knowledge in farming and business.
“Pangandoy gyud nako nga mu-export sa akong mga produkto ngadto sa laing nasud mao nga personal gyud ko nga niduol sa DA aron magpatabang nga maka-engage into bigger market para sa kalambuan sa akong farm ug sa dugang income.”
(I look forward of exporting my produce to other countries, that is why I approach and even ask DA for help so I can engage into bigger markets, enhance my farm and earn additional income.
GAP is under the Republic Act 10611 or Food Safety Act of 2013, which aims to strengthen the food safety Regulatory System to protect consumer health and facilitate market access.
