IICA and Bayer launch virtual course to assist producers to conform to international standards on Good Agricultural Practices
San José, 3 May 2018 (IICA). On 28 May, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture will launch the English version of the “Programa de capacitación Bayer para la facilitación del localg.a.p” course (Bayer Training program for an easier achievement of localg.a.p.)” to improve participants’ knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and to also set them on the path to achieving GLOBALG.A.P. Certification - the international standard that regulates this area.
Localg.a.p. is an assessment derived from the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Standard and represents the first step towards safe and sustainable agriculture. It is also a stepping stone towards GLOBALG.A.P. Certification, which is a requirement to access emerging markets with healthy and safe foods, using a sustainable cultivation model that provides economic and social benefits to producers at all stages of the value chain, while always balancing the interests of both parties: producers and consumers.
The seven-week course is free and is being offered under the framework of a technical cooperation alliance between IICA and Bayer. It targets family farmers, small and medium-scale producers, agro-production organizations, agricultural entrepreneurs, extension workers and students involved in the management of sustainable systems for the production of healthy and safe food, as well as those interested in widening their knowledge of GAP processes.
The virtual training will cover topics such as integrated pest management, safe use and phytosanitary products, application technology and waste and pollution management, food safety management, irrigation systems, traceability and documentation and pollinators.
IICA Specialist Orlando Vega explained that “a module on pollinators was also incorporated to complement topics already covered in the course, as a means of further enriching the material that we make available”.
Those interested in participating may register here.
Bayer promoted this training program at the Fruit Logística event in Bonn, Germany in early January, as a sustainable agricultural solution. The event brings together more than 3,000 exhibitors and 76,000 visitors each year.
More Information:
Orlando Vega, IICA Specialist.