Family farmers, small and medium-scale producers, agricultural entrepreneurs and extension workers from 16 Latin American countries received the certification.
San Jose, 15 January 2018 (IICA). A virtual training program enabled 142 persons from 16 Latin American countries to strengthen their knowledge of good agricultural practices (GAP), particularly the criteria established by the localg.a.p. certification program. This program enables producers to advance toward achieving GLOBALG.A.P. certification, the global standard for GAP.
Localg.a.p. is considered “the stepping stone toward global certification.” The program enables retailers to gain access to quality foods, support their local and regional producers, and promote GAP.
The course introduced participants to GAP-related concepts as well as the principles for implementing these practices in crop farming. Participants also acquired the tools needed to obtain the localg.a.p. certification.
According to IICA specialist Orlando Vega, the management of GAP allows for guaranteeing safety and quality in food chains, generating new opportunities for producers to establish linkages with target markets, and sustainably managing the agricultural inputs chain. An additional benefit is the ability to improve the use of natural resources, workers’ health, and the conditions in which agricultural work is carried out
“Sustainability standards and certifications serve as proof of farmers’ commitment to GAP, guaranteeing high-quality products for consumers,” stated Vega.
Family farmers, small and medium-scale producers, agroproductive organizations, agricultural entrepreneurs, extension workers and students involved in the management of sustainable systems for the production of healthy and safe food participated in the course.
“Over the next few months, we will incorporate a module on pollinators to complement the topics already covered by the course; our goal is to continue enriching the resources we make available,” stated Vega.
An English version of the training program will be launched at the end of April. This initiative will also be carried out within the framework of a partnership between IICA and Bayer Crop Science, established in June of 2017.
The course is currently offered through IICA’s online learning platform, a virtual education modality designed to contribute to the social construction of knowledge, thus facilitating learning and interaction.
Earlier this month, Bayer promoted the training program as a sustainable agriculture solution at the Fruit Logística event in Bonn, Germany, which brings together more than 3,000 speakers and 76,000 visitors each year.
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Orlando Vega, IICA specialist.
