To boost the number of good agricultural practices (GAP)-certified practitioners for fruit-bearing trees in the region, personnel of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera trained citrus and lemon growers of Barlig, Mountain Province how to make their farms compliant with GAP.
“Next year, 30 or more lemon and citrus growers will apply for the Good Agricultural Practices in the municipality of Barlig,” Municipal Agriculturist Ceferino Oryan said during the training.
“The process of GAP registration involves a series of inspections and monitoring but we must commit to it, so for the first quarter next year, we will request for another training.”
DA-Cordillera OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Arlene Sagayo said: “If there is an initiative from the farmers, the Department of Agriculture is willing to help. We will look forward to your application and hopefully, the region will be boosting a GAP-labelled citrus and lemon coming from your municipality,” she said.
Ruben Dulagan, chief of the Regulatory Division emphasized on the importance of farmer’s commitment to the training.
“The Cordillera currently holds the record for most GAP-registered farmers at 43 percent, and it would be even greater if the Barlig citrus and lemon growers will be added to that,” he said.
Doweno Santiago, Regional GAP focal person, said he targets to help 200 or more farmers in the region become GAP-certified next year.
He also assured farmers who are interested to be GAP-certified will be assisted by the agency and concerned local government unit. – Tan Dulag
