The government must take more initiatives to raise awareness of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among farmers in order to ensure safe food and boost the country's fruit and vegetable exports, said the speakers at a roundtable discussion in Dhaka on Saturday.
Recently, the government has taken several initiatives to boost fruit and vegetable exports, but more coordinated steps are needed to make awareness among the farmers and policymakers on GAP.
GLOBALGAP is a private sector body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of Agricultural products around the globe. The GAP standard is primarily designed to reassure consumers about how food is produced on the farm by minimizing the detrimental environmental impacts of the farming operation. Such as reducing the use of chemical inputs and ensuring a responsible approach to workers' health and animal welfare.
Ensuring safe food by implementing GAP certification is essential in commercial agricultural production for export. GAP is required to comply with various regulations for the international trade of agricultural products, especially fresh fruits, and vegetables.
The round table discussion titled “Prospect of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Fruits and Vegetables Focusing Enhancement of Export” was organized by Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in association with Dhaka Tribune at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh. USAID-funded Feed the Future Bangladesh Horticulture, Fruits, and Non-food Crops Activity facilitated this discussion.
Prof Dr Md Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan, vice chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), was the chief guest at the event.
At the same time, Balai Krishna Hazra, additional secretary, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Md Abdus Salam, member director of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and Reaz Ahmad, executive editor of Dhaka Tribune, among others, participated in the discussion.
Dr Md Azizur Rahman of Bangladesh Agricultural University moderated the event.
Anwar Faruque, former secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and advisor to Feed the Future Bangladesh Horticulture Activity, served as chair
Anwar Faruque Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneProf Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed, registered trainer of GLOBALGAP and chairman of the Department of Plant Pathology of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, while presenting the keynote paper, suggested training relevant stakeholders to start GAP certifications in Bangladesh.
Abu Noman Faruq Ahmed Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneMoreover, he said the government should provide subsidies for the testing and capacity-building of certified producers. He also emphasized including GAP-relevant courses at the diploma, undergraduate and graduate levels of agricultural training institutions and universities.
In order to qualify for GAP certification, products must be deemed safe throughout the pre-production, production, harvest, and postharvest stages. Farmers and field workers should be trained on how to properly follow the process, while the government should also increase transport and testing facilities, the speakers said.
The authorities should also ensure that farmers in 495 Upazila of the country have easy access to GAP certification. They added that appropriate implementation of the initiative requires substantial coordination between government agencies and the private sector.
Dr Md Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneAddressing the roundtable as the chief guest, Prof Dr Md Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan said: “Agricultural activities are progressing in many ways. It will take time to associate farmers with GAP. We have to move forward step by step. We need to coordinate with the private sector to ensure safe food production.”
Prof Azizur Rahman said it is crucial to implement GAP not only for exporting food outside the country but also to ensure that food is safe in the country.
Balai Krishna Hazra said: “Don't be disappointed. If we keep working and ensure GAP certification, it will be possible to meet the target of $10 billion in exports within the next two years. We must remember that not following GAP procedures does not mean that food is unsafe. But if we want to export from our country to other countries, we must follow GAP. GAP adoption will increase our opportunities to export food outside the country.”
Tajul Islam Patwary, Director of Field Services, Department of Agriculture Extension, said: “We have to work together not only with government departments but also with relevant private institutions.”
Anwar Faruque, a former secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and advisor to Feed the Future Bangladesh Horticulture Activity, said: “Although ensuring safe and nutritious food is a responsibility of the government, we are lagging. The Covid pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war also made the situation worsen”.
“Although food products are readily available on the market, much is harmful to health. That is why we need GAP. The Ministry of Agriculture recently took initiatives in this regard,” he added.
Dr Abdur Razzaque, former executive chairman of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council, focused on developing a roadmap to GAP certification and said: “We need to develop manuals and roadmaps to strengthen security in agricultural production. Monitoring should be done to determine how much pesticides and fertilizers are used, and the crop quality of any land. After that, we will be able to proceed with exports.”
Dr Abdus Salam, member director (Crops) of the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC), said: “We have already sent a project proposal of Tk10 crore to the ministry over safe food and superior-quality crop production. The project will be started after confirmation. Besides, several projects are in process. Our prime minister and agriculture minister are trying to bring changes to agricultural production.”
Ataur Rahman Miton, president of Bikoshito Bangladesh, said: “Safe food production through GAP will increase food exports. Although GAP policies are already in place in other countries, we are belatedly starting the process. GAP implementation will open new doors for Bangladesh's exports.”
Rafiq Sarkar, team leader of Matrix Bangladesh, said that every agricultural office must train field workers to produce safe food.
Ahmed Ali Chowdhury Iqbal, director of Training at Bangladesh Seed Association, said: “If we can produce crops following GAP, then Bangladesh will become the best hub for quality seed production.”
Reaz Ahmad Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneDhaka Tribune Executive Editor Reaz Ahmad said: “More awareness and discussions are needed to promote GAP policies so that everyone, from general farmers to policymakers, can be more active.”
Dr Abu Hasnat M Solaiman Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneDr Abu Hasnat M Solaiman, professor at Department of Horticulture, said: “If Upazila Agriculture Officers list the details of the crops produced in their responsible area, then it will be possible to get the crop certification facilities.”
Monira Akther Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneMonira Akther, upazila agriculture officer (LR) at Department of Agricultural Extension, said: “We have already prepared draft guidelines for certification and the formulation of the GAP program. We have to proceed step by step.”
Yeasmin Akther Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneYeasmin Akther, business manager, SGS Bangladesh, said: “It is possible to implement GAP by the end of 2023. Bangladesh does not have enough facilities, so we must collaborate with India.”
Md Reaz Uddin Ahmed Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneMd Reaz Uddin Ahmed, joint secretary general at Bangladesh Crop Protection Association, said: “We need a postharvest index and more laboratories for testing.”
Mitul Kumar Saha Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneMitul Kumar Saha, joint director of Hortex Foundation, said: “GAP needs to be included in technical education institutions, and we also need coordination with the retail sector to ensure its implementation.”
Shah Jamal Chowdhury Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneShah Jamal Chowdhury, value chain expert of Malik Farm, said: “Implementing GAP is a long-term process. To ensure safe food production; farmers need to be taught
Rezaul Karim Siddique Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneRezaul Karim Siddique, founder of BSAFE Foundation, said: "Policy is important in any matter. GAP is essential for safe food."
Dr Anil Kumar Das Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneDr Anil Kumar Das, national consultant (Program) at Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, said: “We cannot implement all GAP procedures at once. We have to decide which one to start with right now.”
Sirajul Islam Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneSirajul Islam, deputy director of Central Packing House Limited, said: “More work needs to be done on keeping records of products. Area-specific product hubs and e-certification can help in this regard.”
Dr Saleh Ahmed Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneDr Saleh Ahmed, chairman of Kernel Agribusiness, said: “It is imperative to appoint a dedicated GAP officer who will only deal with GAP.
Md Mosaddek Hossain Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneMd Mosaddek Hossain, additional deputy director (Crop) of Khulna Agriculture Department, said: “We need to facilitate continuity and certification in exports, and GAP should be included in agricultural training institutions.”
Dr Raju Ahmed Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneDr Raju Ahmed, component director of Department of Agriculture Marketing, said: “To get ahead in the export of goods, we must look at the communication system, packaging system, and tax. Besides, testing facilities should be increased.”
