Seventy farms in Mankayan and Buguias, Benguet are expected to be issued Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification after the PhilGAP inspection team assessed that they are compliant with the standards.
The final onsite inspection was conducted on April 18 and 22.
Doweno Santiago Jr., Regional GAP focal person, said 51 farms are located in Balili, Mankayan where 20 are for renewal and 31 are for new certification.
The 19 farms are located in Bangao, Buguias, all for new certification.
The PhilGAP inspection team is composed of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Regulatory Division, Bureau of Plant Industry, Benguet provincial government, and the local government units of Mankayan and Buguias.
Based on the team’s inspection and assessment, Santiago said almost all farms garnered a 100 percent rating.
The new farms and those for renewal will be recommended to the PhilGAP Certification Committee for GAP certification and renewal certification.
Forty-six farms in Baguio City, Benguet, and Mountain Province were set for inspection on May 2 to 6.
There are 263 GAP-certified farms in Benguet. The continuous enthusiasm of farmers for their farms to be GAP-certified is due to the continuous promotion of the DA and its partner-agencies on the GAP Certification program.
The GAP aims to ensure food safety and assure the quality of agricultural products while keeping high regard for environmental protection and workers’ health, safety, and welfare. – Sherielyn Mayao
