MANKAYAN, Benguet – The Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) inspection team composed of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) CAR, DA-Regional Field Office I, and BPI Central Office conducted a four-day inspection to 46 farms in Mankayan, Benguet on March 13-17, 2023.
This activity is in line with the continuing effort of the Department of Agriculture in ensuring food safety and assuring quality agricultural products while keeping high regard for environmental protection and that of workers health, safety and welfare.
The inspectorate team was divided into three groups to accommodate all the 46 farms. Along with the team were the Phil GAP secretariat and staff from the provincial government of Benguet and Mankayan municipal government.
The result of the inspection showed that out of the 46 targeted farms, 45 farms were compliant with the Philippine National Standard Code for Fruits and Vegetables. Majority of the GAP certification applicants were 100% compliant. Recommendations from the inspectorate team are expected to be incorporated as soon as possible.
During the activity, Glaiza Duron, BPI Central Office, Crop Pest Management Division staff encouraged other farmers in Balili, Mankayan to also apply for GAP certification. “In order to minimize and avoid health problems experienced by the majority of conventional farmers because of the improper handling of commercial pesticides and insecticides, you should also apply for GAP certification,” she shared.
Moreover, DA-CAR GAP Focal Person Doweno Santiago said that without knowledge on Good Agricultural Practices, not only farmers are at risk but also the consumers. He also added that farmers who have no trainings and seminars on GAP will eventually have poor management on their farm businesses which would threaten their return of investments.
The inspectorate team were able to examine the farms, facilities, record books, and had interviews with the farmers.
As of March 2023, the region has 338 GAP certified farms.
Present during the activity were Lea Abando of BPI-CAR, Arnel Felipe, DA-RFO1, Lennie Manipon and Ailene Galvez of the BPI Central Office, Inocencio Bernard from the provincial government, and Novy Canggat and Lilibeth Sugando from the municipal government. By Tan Dulag