BUTUAN CITY - In an effort to have additional Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certified vegetable farm in the region, two batches of training on GAP for vegetable production were conducted in the month of May 2019. This was successfully attended by 67 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and Farmer-leaders in regionwide. The training was simultaneously conducted in two batches.

The three-day activity aims to update the AEWs and enhance the Farmer-leaders on GAP for vegetable production with a hope that some of the farmer-participants will pursue GAP Certification.

The content of the trainings was aligned to the 2017 revised PNS GAP for fruits and vegetables formulated by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fishery Standards (BAFS). It also includes an orientation of the Food Safety Act of 2013.

Highlighted in the activity was a field visit at Epifania Antoquia’s Farm located at Antongalon, Butuan City. Antoquia is the previous Chairman of the Antongalon Farmers Association of Caraga, Incorporated or AFACI. In her term, AFACI applied and acquired a group certification of GAP vegetables.

Participants showed their interest and commitment as they eagerly participated in various activities. As they shared their learning experiences, they affirmed that GAP Certification is not at all difficult to acquire wherein achievable by a simple farmer.

Resource persons were from the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA)-Caraga Region, RD Danilo S. Negre, Beb Palincod of DA-RFO Regulatory Division and Engr. Joel M. Laure, ATI-RTC 13 HVCDP Focal Person (with report from JMLaure).