Negros-based Small Farmer Groups Awarded for Good Agricultural Practices Compliance

Three Negros-based small farmer groups were awarded for their compliance with Good Agricultural Practices on November 24 in the first Media and Public Forum on GAP at the L'Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City.

The farmers are from San Carlos and Silay and are the first in the Philippines to receive GAP certifications made possible through the training, support and assistance of OURFood, a partnership program of Association of Negros Producers and AFOS Foundation, the invitation of ANP president Christina Gaston, said.

The GAP Standard is international and provides safety assurance, applicable to both organic and traditional farming systems.
ANP's OURFood Program is geared towards improving income opportunities of small farmers through sustainable farm practices without compromising public health and environment conditions, she said.



Beginning this year, more than 200 farmers and three more areas, in Bago, Murcia and Talisay are included in the program coverage, she added.

The forum is led by ANP with a German foundation. Also joining it are executives and representatives from five local government units under the OURFood program coverage.