Within the framework of the Agro Antioquia Exporta 4.0 project, the Government of Antioquia and the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (Agrosavia) worked together to certify 76 rural properties in the municipalities of Urrao, Jerico, Jardin, Sonson, Abejorral, La Ceja, El Retiro, San Vicente Ferrer, El Peñol, Marinilla, El Santuario, and Rionegro with the GlobalGAP certification.
The largest farm that will be certified is 17 hectares big. This is the most important support received by small and medium Hass avocado producers in Antioquia so far, stated Agrosavia. Producers received advice, support, and help from the Government and Agrosavia to meet the 222 necessary requirements established by the GlobalGAP standard to obtain said certification.
"Producers who have this certificate can benefit economically as they can sell their products at a better price, which favors his economic flow. Additionally, the certificate gives them more recognition and allows them to focus on continuous improvement of their Good Agricultural Practices (GAP),” stated the director of La Selva Research Center in Agrosavia, Juan Mauricio Rojas Acosta.
"This is one of the ways that the department of Antioquia contributes to enhancing the exportable offer, with a product that meets quality criteria, respects the environment, and guarantees the workers' rights," stated the director of La Selva Research Center.
The requirements to obtain the GlobalGAP certificate aim to protect the environment, guarantee the safety of the fruit, and achieve the well-being of the workers. The 222 requirements are grouped by packages. such as locative facilities, training, records, laboratory analysis, documentation, risk assessment procedures, and general farm documents.
Small and medium producers of Hass avocado will have their GlobalGAP certification to export before the end of 2021.
Source: agronegocios.co
