BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte – To equip the farmers, consumers, and producers about the importance of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certified products in the agriculture and economic sector, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center XIII held a GAP Information Caravan on March 23, 2018 at Robinson’s Place, Butuan City. It was attended by 33 participants within Butuan City.

Mr. Johnny M. Concon, Supervising Agriculturist of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office Caraga Region, gave a series of lectures on the Status of GAP Certification in Caraga Region, GAP Principles and Elements, and GAP Certification and Procedures.

Ms. Rebecca Amolo, President of Antongalon Farmers Association in Caraga Inc. (AFACI), gave her testimony and encouraged the farmers to continue moving forward for GAP Certification. She said that the requirements and procedures to be GAP Certified is laborious and takes time. It might be difficult along the way for a farmer that is why she suggested to create farmer groups for a task to become lighter than doing it alone.

Moreover, Ms. Epifania Antoquia, one of the 12 members of AFACI who were the first GAP certified on vegetable production in Caraga Region, emphasized to strictly follow the rules and standards in GAP. “It is important for our farms to have comfort room, training or holding area for visitors, washing area, and harvesting area to ensure that the fruits and vegetables are safe and is not contaminated. I am thankful to ATI for the training we had for almost one year to be accredited and for the continuous support they had given to the farmers like me.”

The activity includes a motorcade from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM and dissemination of Information Education Communication (IEC) GAP materials to vegetable and fruit vendors in Langihan, Butuan City.