Good Agricultural Practices: A Working Concept

Abstract

Good agricultural practice (GAP) is a certification system for agriculture that specifies procedures and attendant documentation which must be implemented to create food for consumers or further processing that is safe and wholesome, using sustainable methods. While there are numerous competing definitions of what methods constitute good agricultural practice there are several broadly accepted schemes that producers can adhere to. GAPs require maintenance of a common database on integrated production techniques for each of the major agro-ecological area. They collect, analyze and disseminate information of good practices in relevant geographical contexts. A farmer who practices GAPs can implement proactive food safety control measures to prevent crop contamination. GAP guidelines can be grouped into four categories such as health and hygiene, water quality, soil supplements, and environmental hazards.