Global GAP Certification: Paving the Way for Eco-Friendly Agriculture and Farmer Prosperity

Lucknow:  Dinesh Pratap Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, and Agricultural Foreign Trade in Uttar Pradesh, emphasized the importance of Global GAP Certification during a one-day hybrid training program held at the Mandi Parishad Auditorium in Gomti Nagar. Highlighting its critical role in enhancing the quality and sustainability of agricultural products, the minister underscored the certification as a step toward ensuring healthy and safe food for future generations while boosting farmers’ incomes and reducing chemical use.

The event was attended by over 125 participants, including key stakeholders from the agricultural export sector, officials from the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade, and Horticulture Department.  Neeraj Puri, National Manager of Food and Agriculture at SGS India Pvt. Ltd., an authorized Global GAP institution, led the training.

Promoting Balanced and Sustainable Agriculture

Addressing the participants,  Singh stated that Global GAP Certification is an internationally recognized standard designed to balance current and future agricultural needs. “The certification’s mission is to promote safe, sustainable, and effective agricultural practices, ensuring food production aligns with international demands while meeting the needs of today and tomorrow,” he remarked.

The minister highlighted the importance of the certification for export opportunities, particularly to European markets, and urged divisional officers of agriculture and horticulture departments to be trained as master trainers in Global GAP standards. He also called for the creation of simplified, Hindi-language materials to disseminate information effectively to farmers across the state.

Training Farmers for Export-Ready Agriculture

A key directive from the minister included ensuring that at least one progressive farmer, Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), or Farmer Producer Company (FPC) in each block is trained on Global GAP practices for exportable products. He encouraged farmers to contact relevant officials for assistance via designated helplines:

  • Directorate of Agricultural Marketing and Agricultural Foreign Trade: 0522-2707587
  • Deputy Director, Horticulture: 9415130984

International Collaboration and Expertise

The program featured an address by Gabriela Coral Alanis, Program Coordinator of Global GAP’s Germany headquarters, who provided insights into the organization’s training initiatives to develop master trainers in Uttar Pradesh.

Prominent attendees included:

  •  B.L. Meena, Additional Chief Secretary, Horticulture and Food Processing
  • T.K. Shibu, Director, Agricultural Marketing and Agricultural Foreign Trade
  • Dr. Sugriv Shukla, Deputy Director
  •  Pratyush Ranjan Singh, Deputy Team Leader, Indo-German Project, Jaipur
  • Sandeep Madhukar Sonkul, Advisor, Global GAP, Mumbai

Toward a Sustainable Future

Singh concluded by reiterating the necessity of Global GAP certification for improving agricultural sustainability, fostering export growth, and securing health and food safety for generations to come. The initiative is poised to not only enhance the quality of agricultural produce but also position Uttar Pradesh as a leader in eco-friendly agricultural practices on the global stage.

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