As part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) food safety regulatory system, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) continues to increase awareness and build capacities for the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the country.

In the Virtual Training-Workshop on GAP for Emerging Agricultural Commodities Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, the Institute furthered the campaign on GAP adoption as means to improve food systems and supply and towards ensuring people’s health and wellbeing.

The activity was initiated by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to provide an avenue for GAP practitioners to exchange information and innovative actions towards farm sustainability. Selected farmers and members of farmer organizations, agricultural technicians, and extension workers, among others, gathered in this online event.

ATI‘s food safety coordinator, Manuel Dimalaluan, introduced the concepts and guiding principles of GAP during the activity. Likewise, he talked about some of its approaches and techniques in the farm level.

The participants were also informed about the integration of GAP among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, through harmonized master plan and initiatives. The codes of GAP for fresh fruits and vegetables were also highlighted during the activity.

Moreover, Samuel Fontanilla of BPI engaged the participants in a conversation on GAP operationalization amid the current global health crisis.

Other resource speakers in the training-workshop were Cherrie Atilano of AGREA Philippines and Fabian Espiritu of Farmtec Foods, Inc. who both shared the adoption of GAP in their respective organizations.

This virtual event was also graced by DA consultant Leocadio Sebastian and SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio. It was held last August 27-28 via Zoom and Facebook Live.