GAP and GAHP strengthened to increase certifications in CAR
The Regional Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) team convened on July 26-27 at the Department of Agriculture (DA) – CAR Conference Hall to strengthen both programs.
GAP and GAHP Provincial Focal persons, Agricultural Training Institute – CAR, and representatives from the DA-CAR banner programs were in attendance to the assembly.
Mylene Cadalig of DA-CAR gave an overview of the programs to give the participants a clearer understanding on GAP and GAHP. She said that unsafe food source is the third highest factor contributing to poisoning outbreaks.
Moreover, Dr. Cameron Odsey, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulatory said, “we need programs that would set standards and also
respond to the need of farmers. Our role is to help and teach more farmers to make them competitive especially in the incoming ASEAN integration.”
Noel Villa, Technical Member of the Regional GAP Team, presented the concerns and GAP protocol review. Villa also stressed that backyard farmers should be the focus, given that they are the majority here in the region.
After, Angeline Marino, Chemist II from the Bureau of Plant Industry, gave the updates and detailed revised guidelines for GAP Certification. This also includes the procedures and limits for pesticide analysis and residue. While the GAHP certification guidelines was given by Dr. Glenn Reyes of the Bureau of Animal Industry. Both GAP and GAHP certifications are free of charge.
In addition, Mildred Licangan, Benguet Agripinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) Accreditation Officer and Trading Post officer-in-charge, discussed the accreditation process of farmer and traders for individuals and groups at BAPTC. She also included the trading operations and facilities of BAPTC.
In relation to food safety, Marietta Blanco of DA-CAR said that the Animal Welfare Act helps in addressing this concern. The treatment of animal is in direct relation to the quality of food in livestock said Blanco. Poor animal welfare leads to a higher susceptibility of infections.
As of June 2017, there are six GAP certified farms in the Cordillera and none for GAHP based on the DA-CAR’s regional accomplishment report of Doweno Santiago, Jr..
Dr. Anthony Bantog, DA-CAR Livestock Chief, concluded that the GAP and GAHP is there to strengthen the crops and livestock commodities. “I hope that we can fulfill this task, especially in livestock, so I enjoin you to comply with the guidelines,” he stated.
