GlobalGAP — The “Passport” for Vietnamese Agricultural Products
GlobalGAP is a set of global standards for certified agricultural products, the “passport” for Vietnamese agricultural commodities to enter fastidious markets around the world. In order to receive a GlobalGAP certificate, products must go through a complex testing phase with many strict criteria. Therefore, farmers usually hesitate to apply for certification. However, if take the benefits of GlobalGAP into consideration, farmers will find it is worth going through all of the complex process.
1. What is GlobalGAP?
GlobalGAP (Global Good Agricultural Practices) is a global organization whose core objective is to build safe and sustainable agriculture worldwide. The organization issues a certification of the same name, setting voluntary standards for certifying agricultural products around the world. GlobalGAP standards are applied in three areas: cultivation, livestock and aquaculture.
2. GlobalGAP Benefits
2.1. For farmers
GlobalGAP certificate as a proof for farm produce’s quality helps farmers raise their products’ price. In addition, farmers also can:
- Find the consumption market for their agricultural commodities easily. Products verified by GlobalGAP are not only accepted in domestic supermarkets but also in international markets, since GlobalGAP is certified by 125 countries and more than 180,000 manufactures worldwide as safe and sustainable agriculture support.
- Evaluate quality and value of products to meet the export standard based on existed criteria:
- Seed: Only sow good seeds and healthy seedlings that don’t have any potential pathogens. Moreover, seeds and seedlings must have proved origins.
- Fertilizers: Each type of plant has a different amount of fertilizer and regime. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the type of plants and appropriate fertilizer.
- Pesticides: Choose appropriate types with the right concentration. After spraying, ensuring that no residue is left on plants for food safety.
- Connect with other farms to form GlobalGAP agricultural cooperatives. Farmers will learn more about farming experiences and support production activities.
- Opportunities for farmers to earn sustainable income through planned cultivation and reasonable crop rotation.
2.2. For manufacturers
There is a fact that manufacturers do not want to maintain food safety production because it increases the price compared to normal processes, therefore making products difficult to sell.
Meanwhile, consumers are willing to pay a higher price for products with certified origin. Therefore, when manufacturers apply GlobalGAP to production process, it will:
- Help build a safe, efficient farming process according to global standards with an optimal cost for both manufacturers and consumers
- Advertise more effectively when launching products to the market
- Track products easily when in need of finding the cause of problems, therefore support manufacturers in handling issues promptly
- Manage farming process methodically and professionally, under the guidance and training of experts from GlobalGAP
2.3. For consumers
GlobalGAP products will increase trust from consumers because:
- Products meet the standards of quality and hygiene in the production and distribution process, which are certified by GlobalGAP.
- Production process is proven to be sustainable, taking into account the health and safety of workers, as well as environmental protection.
- Consumers can track the products’ origins through databases stored on the system.
According to the research “Does GlobalGAP certification promote agrifood exports?”, the result indicates that the raise of 1% in the number of GlobalGAP certified producers will increase the number of exports of apple, grape and banana by 0.14%, 0.07% and 0.2% respectively to developed countries. Agricultural production based on GlobalGAP standards is the goal of countries aiming to export high quality agricultural commodities, meeting the needs of food safety and hygiene for consumers and environmental protection.
3. Five steps to obtain GlobalGAP Certificate
GlobalGAP certification is an open door to many opportunities for Vietnamese farmers in the journey to expand their consumption market. In addition, farmers who want to achieve GlobalGAP certification take all the cost into consideration, including registration, inspection, certification and annual maintenance fees.
