A total of 118 plantation owners, including 10 owners from the agriculture department, have applied to the department so far.
"The department is distributing GAP application forms to farmers. It aims to ensure the export of quality fruit as well as fresh fruit for the Myanmar market. The department will inspect soil and water at those sites. We will check the inclusion of the maximum chemical residues as well as the environmental damage," said an officer from the department.
The department will issue GAP certificates to farmers for crops, including mango, watermelon and muskmelon. Myanmar exports fruit to China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Japan and South Korea. Efforts are being made to export fruit to the EU.
The department is mainly placing emphasis on the safety and security of farm workers, environmental conservation and the production of quality fruit. It is educating farmers on the systematic use of pesticides.
Source: www.nationmultimedia.com