ORMOC CITY, Leyte - ATI-RTC 8 together with the ACIAR-GAP conducted the PhilGAP Caravan on August 4, 2022. The Stepped GAP Training Graduation Rites also was conducted after the information caravan.
With the need to reduce the risk of contamination during on-farm production and postproduction processes, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) addresses environmental protection & management. To ensure food safety, sustainability, and a competitive edge among others, farmers are highly encouraged to have their farms GAP certified.
Three (3) farms from Baybay City were awarded as GAP Certified Farms during the caravan after successfully passing the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) GAP assessment. These were the Mazo Farm in Brgy. Gacat, Uy Integrated Farm in Brgy. Imelda, and the ACIAR-GAP Demonstration Farm in the Visayas State University (VSU).
Sixty-five (65) farmer participants graduated from the Farmer Field School on Stepped GAP which ran from the year 2020 until 2022. Farmers from Mahaplag, Baybay City, and Ormoc City received their certificates for completing their 3-year FFS with 4 levels of about 19 modules in their respective municipalities. Some farmers also received special awards for their outstanding participation during the said FFS.
The activity was graced by representatives from various government and non-government agencies, and LGUs. The program was also made possible through the efforts of the collaboration between ACIAR, Australian Aid, Applied Horticultural Research, Visayas State University, Agricultural Training Institute, East-West Seed Foundation, Landcare Foundation, and the Local Government Units of Ormoc, Baybay, and Mahaplag, Leyte.
