A scheme and training manual on good agricultural practices (GAP) for fruits and vegetables
This publication by FAO provides good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for fruits and vegetables during on-farm production and post-production processes resulting in safe agricultural products, ensuring a safe food supply. This publication comprises two volumes: Volume 1 (PDF) documents the entire scheme and Volume 2 (PDF) covers a training package on this scheme. This GAP scheme supports countries to establish an infrastructure in terms of standards, certification processes and accreditation systems in line with international standards and practices to facilitate regional and global trade. Implementing GAP during on-farm production and post-production processes resulting in safe agricultural products is of immense importance for ensuring a safe food supply. It has been developed as a regional scheme that may be adopted as it is or adapted by countries to suit their needs. The process for development of the scheme was through initial discussions on a draft at a regional workshop in September 2014 that was then implemented in four pilot countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. This GAP scheme comprises three important areas or sections: standards for GAP; the structure for implementation in the country; and the certification and accreditation aspects. It is hoped that the publications will be useful not only to South Asian countries but also to other countries.
Published in 2016