Departmental Program on Food and Nutritional Security,Antioquia, Colombia, Project TCP/3101/COL – UTF/COL/027/COL

for Family Agriculture”

Guidelines“Good Agricultural Practices

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Guidelines “Good Agricultural Practices forFamily Agriculture”

Authors

Preparation and edition of technical material:

- Juan Izquierdo, Ph.D. Senior Plant Production Officer. FAO, Latin America and the Caribbean

- Marcos Rodriguez Fazzone, GAP Consultant, FAO, Latin America and the Caribbean

- Marcela Duran, FAO Volunteer Programme. FAO, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Drawings and diagramming were under:

- Marcia Miranda M.

Graphic Designer

- Marcelo Carrillo S.

Acknowledgement to comments and suggestions comingfrom:

- TCP/COL/3101/COL and UTF/COL/027/COL project teams

- Maria Teresa Oyarzun, FAO Consultant, Latin Americaand the Caribbean

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this informationproduct do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of theFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning legal ordevelopment status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, orconcerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material contained in thisinformation product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorizedwithout any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the sourceis fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resaleor other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyrightholders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to Chief ElectronicPublishing Policy and Support Branch Information Division FAO, Viale delle TermediCaracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy, Or by e-mail to: copyright@fao.org

© FAO 2007

ISBN 978-92-5-105757-5

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This manual has been prepared by the Groupon Agriculture of the FAO Regional Office forLat in America and the Car ibbean.

The purpose of this work is to spread the basicconcepts of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)in order to: guide the production systemstowards a sustainable agriculture andecologically safe, obtain harmless products ofhigher quality, contribute to food securitygenerating income through the access tomarkets and improve working conditions ofproducers and their families.

The manual addresses agricultural techniciansand extension workers, producer organizations,rural school teachers, children, urban and peri-urban citizens and Family Agriculture groupsin general.

Introduction

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Índex2

I. What are Good Agricultural Practices?ConceptWho benefit from the GAPs?Diagram: What do the GAPs foster?

II. Why should I use Good Agricultural Practices?Advantages and benefits versus problems and risks by non application ofGAPs

III. How should Good Agricultural Practices be implemented?1. How can working conditions be improved and those of male and femaleworkers?

1.1 What services must be assured for male and female workers?1.2 What services must be assured for workers?

2. Which is the best place to sow?3. How must the soil be prepared?4. How can crops be handled?5. How can water be used and manager?

5.1 How must water and irrigation be used?5.2 Water for the family and workers

6. How must agro-chemicals be used?6.1 What agro-chemical should I use?6.2 What elements should I use to protect myself?6.3 How should I apply agro-chemicals?6.4 How and where should I keep agro-chemicals?6.5 What must I do with the empty containers?

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7. What fertilizer should I use and in what quantity?7.1 How must I apply fertilizers?7.2 How and where should I keep fertilizers?

8. How should organic manure be used?8.1 What type of manure should I apply and how should I do it?8.2 Where should I prepare organic manure?

9. Animals in the field.9.1 Work animals9.2 Production animals9.3 Domestic animals (dogs, cats, others)

10. Which is the best way of harvesting?10.1 In what conditions should the workers doing the harvesting be?

11. How must the transport of food be done?12. What must be taken into account at the moment of selling the product?13. What information must I register to have a better control of the product?14. How does the buyer know that my product was processed with GAPs?

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Concept

§ Consumers are ever more concerned aboutobtaining safe food and produced caringabout environment and worker wellbeing.

§ Good Agricultural Practices are born in thiscontext and can be simply defined as Doingthings well and guaranteeing it has beendone so

§ GAPs and GMPs (Good ManufacturingPractices) are a set of principles, regulationsand technical recommendations applicableto production, processing and food transport,addressing human health care, environmentprotection and improvement of workerconditions and their families.

Who benefit from the GAPs?§ Farmers and their families that will obtain

healthy and good quality food to assure theirnutrition and nourishment, generating a valueadded in their products to access markets ina better way.

§ Consumers, that will enjoy better and safequality food, with sustainable production.

§ The population in general, that will benefitfrom a better environment.

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I. What are Good Agricultural Practices?

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What do the GAPs foster?

Environment- No contamination of water and soils

- Rational handling of agro-chemicals

- Concern about Biodiversity

- Healthy food, not contaminated and of higher quality to improve nutrition and food consumption

Food Safety

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AnimalWellfare

- Animal care- Adequate feeding

- Improve worker and consumer conditions

- Enhance the Agricultural Family wellfare

- Improve food security

Security forPeople

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Sick workersHealthyworkers

Children do not give priority toschool attendance and spendenergies doing farming work

II. Why should I use Good Agricultural Practices?WITH BPA

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Healthy and good qualityproducts to improve nutritionand nourishmentof the family.

Products in bad conditionsand/or contaminatedaffecting family health

Sustainability and access tonew markets High quality(differentiated product)

Loss of markets andrejectedproducts.Low quality product

Childrenattend school

WITHOUT BPA

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Animal welfareClean fieldToilets anddeposits

Animals are tiredContaminated fieldLatrine andinfrastructure in badconditions

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More incomeBetter prices for qualityLower costs ($) (-agro-chemicals)Higher yields (Productivity)

Less incomeLower pricesHigher costs ($) (+agro-chemicals)Lower yields

Confusion anddisregardControl of

production

WITH BPA WITHOUT BPA

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- All workers should be registered in the socialsecurity system

- All workers will be trained, especially in agro-chemicals/fertilizer management, hygiene andfirst aid.

1. How can working conditions be improved and those of male and female workers?

- Priority of children is to attend school andthey may only help in the field in activitieswhich do not attempt against their securityand times to study.

40III. How should Good Agricultural Practices be implemented?

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1.1 What services must be assured for male and female workers?

- Personal protection equipment,above all for the application offor the application of agro-chemicals

- First aid kit- Emergency phones(fire brigade, police, hospitals)

- Participate in healthsessions carried outby the hospital orhealth centers of yourcommunity

- Weight and heightof your childrenshould be analyzedto see if they are wellfed.

- Make a checkup for you andyour family and request healthcertificates from workersto be recruited.

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- In order to improve nourishment, nutrition and health of yourfamily, use healthy products in daily meals

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1.2 What services must be assured for workers?

- Workers should count with personal protectionequipment, especially for the application ofchemical products, and also a first aid kit.

- There should be enough number of fixed or mobiletoilets for all workers.

- Toilets should be kept clean, in good conditions,ventilated and doors should close well.

- Toilets should have: trush can, toilet paper, washbasin,potable water, soap, towels.

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- If bins or water tanks are used for hygiene,remember:

- Containers should be kept clean on the insideand outside.

- Water must be cold, clean, without odors and notallowed to stagnate.

- Keep them under shade.

- When you have an infectious disease or withsymptoms (diarrhea, vomits, etc.) fresh foodshould not be manipulated.

Hygiene measures:

- Keep good personalcleanliness

- Consider the posters “use thetoilets” and “wash your hands”

- Remember to wash yourhands after using the toilets.

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2. GAP in cropsWhich is the best place to plant?

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- Know the history of the field

- Recognize more fertile landsand with availability of water

1st year 2nd year 3rd year

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- Do not plant in fields withchemical contaminants

- The field should be free of trash, papers,plastics and empty containers.

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- Check there is no risk ofwater contamination

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- Be acquainted with the type ofpests, diseases and weeds thatexist, mainly in the crop area.

- Check on possible contamination sourcesfrom neighboring plots.

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- Signpost the place where the cropwill be planted with the number ofthe lot or name of the crop.

- For all these activities consult with the technicianthat you trust.

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- With the support of the techniciananalyze the type of soil and its depth forgood growth of the roots.

- Consider the slope of the field wherethe planting will be done.

3. How must the soil be prepared?

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- Perform the minimumpossible tilling.

- Avoid soil erosion and compression.

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- Practice crop rotation

1st year 2nd year 3rd year

For all these activities consult with the technician thatyou trust.

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- Select seeds that can adapt to the soilof the field

- Select improved seeds and resistant tothe most frequent diseases accordingto the recommendations of thetechnician.

4. How can crops be handled?

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- Select an adequate sowing date avoiding droughts,pests and diseases

- If necessary, develop practices toeliminate pests and diseases from theseeds in order not to affect the crop

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CALENDER

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- Wastes: install rubbish bins in strategiczones of the field and throw the rubbish inthem once the working day is over

- Density: sow at anadequate distance

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- Transplant: select healthy seedlingsand discard the feeble ones or withsigns of disease

- Use clean tools and disinfected

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20- For all these activities consult with the technician

of your trust.

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Protection of crops

- Seedbeds: protect them from the sun and heavyrains

- Greenhouses: regard measures to obtain a goodcontrol of temperature and humidity

- Ventilation: control temperatures, humidity andwind considering the season of the year andneeds of the crop.

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5. How can water be used and managed?

- Analyze the water of the field atleast once a year to see if it iscontaminated

- Use the required amount of water forsavings and care of the crop

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22- For all these activities consult the technician of your trust

- Avoid the entry of animals to thewater sources of the field

- Do not perform applications andagro-chemical preparations nearthe water sources

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5.1 How must water and irrigation be used?

- The use of irrigation may increase theamount of production

- Identify the water sources used for irrigation and with the assistance of the technician verify thatthey are not contaminated.

Remember! - Sewage waters must never be used for irrigation, nor be given to drink to thefamily or animals.

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- Protect water tanks and irrigation channelsfrom animals, birds, etc. (If water iscontaminated your family and workers mayget sick and the food stuff may contaminatemaking you loose sales).

- Keep channels where water flowsfree of rubbish

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- For all these activities consult thetechnician of your trust

- An incorrect use of water maydamage the quality of the crop,hence it is necessary toprogram the use of irrigation.

- Use always the irrigation methodrecommended for your crop

- Regard the water requirements of thecrop (do not irrigate in excess)

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5.2 Water for the family and workers

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- If there is no potable water then itmust be treated

Consider the following methods:

Boiling, clarification, chloration

- The plot should count with potablewater for drinking and to washhands and body

- Avoid still waters in emptycontainers or old tires

- Still waters are a source ofmosquitoes and other animalswhich affect health

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- Recognize the type of weeds,pests and diseases affectingyour crop

6. How must agro-chemicals be used?

6.1 What agro-chemical should I use?

- Analyze if it is possible to apply abiological control instead of achemical one

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- For all these activities consult withthe technician of your trust

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Agro-chemicals

- Consult a technician to know what agro-chemicalsare recommended to be used in accordance withyour crop and the type of weeds and diseasesaffecting it

- The agro-chemicals you use must be admitted,that is, they must be registered in your country

- Expired agro-chemicals or in bad state should notbe used (verify due date)

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6.2 What elements should I use to protect myself?

- Children, pregnant women and oldage people must not be near the areawhere agro-chemicals are applied

- Once the application is over, the workershould have a shower and wash theprotection elements

Waterproofsuit

Protectionlenses

Rubbergloves

Face mask

Rubberboots

Elements:

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6.3 How should I apply agro-chemicals?

- Respect waiting time for each application

- Do not enter into the plantation immediately after theapplication

- Apply the needed proportion of agro-chemicalsaccording to the recommendation of thetechnician

- Periodical observation of the crops for timelydetection of any problem

- Write down the applications of agro-chemicals that are being done

Calender

Applicationharvest

Treated crop

Date:...............Name of producer:...............

Worker:...............

Crop:...............Variety:...............

Pest or disease:...............

Name of agro-chemical:..........

Active principle:...............

Number of doses:...............

Application equipment:............

Waiting time:...............

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6.4 How and where should I keep agro-chemicals?

- A special construction should be made at the field tostore agro-chemicals

- When small amounts are stored, use a sealed box awayfrom the house

- The place should be out of reach for the children andanimals

- This place should be locked, secure, fresh andventilated

- Highlight the place with the following posters

“WARNING”, “POISON”, “NO SMOKING”, “NODRINKING”, “NO EATING”, “DO NOT TOUCH”

- Agro-chemicals must be duly separated and isolated fromthe seeds, forage, harvested products, and fertilizers34

Fertilizers Agro-chemicals

Agro-chemicals

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6.5 What must I do with the empty containers?

1- Give them a triple wash. Do notmix wash waters with drinking andworking waters

2- Break them or perforate them soas not to use them again

3- Keep them in close bags to deliver them to thereception centers of containers 35

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- Consult with the technician to see if it isnecessary to apply chemical fertilizersor if it is possible to use only organicmanure

7. What fertilizer should I use and in what quantity?

- Consult with the technician to knowwhat fertilizer and what quantity isrecommended for your crop36

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7.1 How must I apply fertilizers?

- Write down the applicationsof fertilizers being done

- Apply only the dose required as perrecommendations of the technician

- Do not apply more than is necessary toavoid contamination of waters and soils

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date:........

name of the producer:..

worker:........

crop:........

variety:........

pest or disease:........

name of fertilizer:........

number of doses:........

equipment of application:..

7.2 How and where should I keep fertilizers?

- A special place should be constructed at thefield to store fertilizers

- Fertilizers should be duly separated and isolatedfrom seeds, forage, harvested products, andagro-chemicals

- This place must be: locked, secure, cool, andventilated

- Signpost the place with the following posters: “RISK”,“POISON”, “NO SMOKING”, “NO DRINKING”, “NOEATING”, “DO NOT TOUCH”

- The place must be out of reach for children andanimals

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Agro-chemicalsFertilizersFertilizers

smoking

drinking

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8. How should organic manure be used?

- Use only stabilized manure

- Use only manure with a previouscomposting treatment

- Analyze if it is possible to use manure ofanimal or plant origin in your field

- Remember that the wrong use of manure isone of the main sources of contamination

8.1 What type of manure shouldI apply and how should I do it?

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- Always apply organic manure beforeplanting the crops

- Write down the applications being done

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Date:.....

Name of producer:.....

Worker:.....

Origin:.....

Type of treatment:.....

Place of application:.....

Amount of applications:.....

8.2 Where should I prepare organic manure?

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- Manure should be prepared in places far awayfrom the crop area

- Manure should be prepared in places far awayfrom water sources and lands subject to floods

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- When they are not working,animals should be out of the croparea

9. Animals in the field.

9.1 Work animals

- Verify with the technician that theanimals for work are healthy

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9.2 Production animals

- Promote animal welfare: adequate space,healthy animals, adequate feeding, fresh water

- All workers should be informed thatthey are not allowed to enteranimals into the crop area. Thefield must signposted.

9.3 Domestic animals (dogs, cats, others)

- Domestic animals (dogs, cats) must be faraway from the crop area and from the placeswhere agro-chemicals and fertilizers arestored

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10.1 In what conditions should the workersdoing the harvesting be?

10. Which is the best way of harvesting?- This stage is very important because food stuff may be contaminated!!

- At the fruit trees no fruits should becollected from the ground

- The harvesting staff must have clean hands, shortnails, tied hair and no smoking nor drinking during theharvest

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- Carefully collect the products avoiding knocks

- The fruits and vegetables harvested shouldbe placed in clean containers (washed andnew) without touching the ground

- Do not use chemical and fertilizer containersto collect the harvest

- The fruits and vegetablesharvested must be placed undershadow and away from animalsand the storage of chemicals andfertilizers

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11. How must the transport of food be done?

- Transport food stuff in a clean transportvehicle, in good conditions and incompliance with transit regulations

- Take care while loading food stuff

- Do not transport together withanimals, fertilizers, or agro-chemicals

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- In case of using an opentransport medium, the loadmust be covered to avoid thesun, dust and rain

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- The staff participating in loading and unloading must keephygiene and cleanness the same as the rest of the workers

- Register the type and amount of productloaded, the date, name of the worker orfamily member that made it and the nameof the person driving the transport

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Date:............

Name of worker:............

Driver:............

Origin:............

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12. What must be taken into account at the moment of selling the product?

- Study the market and seekinformation about prices

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- Have a meeting with the neighbors toknow about prices and to whom they sell

- Associate with the rest of the producersto obtain a better price

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- Sell to someone you trust

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- Point out the better quality of the product

- Make contracts with cooperatives, wholesalers andsupermarkets to safeguard the sale

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13. What information must I register to have a better control of production?

- Registry must be done every day once thework is over (date of sowing, harvest, applicationof agro-chemicals, etc.)

- Registries serve to keep track of the historyof the product; hence they must be filed forat least three years.

Advantages of the registry

- Get a better knowledge of your field and crop

- Save money in production

- Identify where the problems, pests and diseasesare located

- Improve the quality of the product

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HarvestingTrading

Sowing andpre-harvesting

Application ofagro-chemicalsand fertilizers

Irrigation

Nombre del huerto

Ubicación

Dueño del huerto

Nombre del técnico o

administrador

Superficie plantada

Especie

Variedad utilizada

Año de aplicación

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- Registry of Income and Expenses:

Price and expenses in the purchase of the seedPrices and expenses in the purchase of agro-chemicalsand fertilizersExpenses in equipmentExpenses in salaries for workersTotal expenses in plantingTotal expenses in harvestingExpenses in health for the family and workersOther expenses (food, dressing, transport, etc.)Income by the sale of the productIncome for work done outside the plotOther incomeSelling price of the product

- Registry of the field

Name of the plotLocationOwner of the plotName of the technician or administratorPlanted areaTypeVariety usedYear of application

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Nombre del huerto

Ubicación

Dueño del huerto

Nombre del técnico o

administrador

Superficie plantada

Especie

Variedad utilizada

Año de aplicación

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Sowing and pre-harvestingAmount of seed sownAmount of dose of agro-chemicals, fertilizers and/ormanure applied by cropDate of application of agro-chemicals, fertilizersand/or manureName of the agro-chemical/fertilizer and of whoapplied itOrigin of the manureName of the workers of the fieldPest and disease being combated

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HarvestDate of the harvestAmount of product harvestedTotal amount of applications (agro-chemicals,fertilizers) up to the harvestNumber of workers involved in the harvestDeliveryDate of deliveryAmount of product deliveredName of the plot (origin)Name of the buyer (destiny)Number of waybillName of the carrier

- Registry for keeping track or traceability:

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14. How does the buyer know that my product was processed with GAPs?

- You can also sell in other marketsobtaining better selling conditions

- The product will count withrecognition at packing that willdifferentiate it

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- The consumer may recognize yourproduct at the store or supermarket andby means of a label may be informedhow it was produced

GAPproducts

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“GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ARE THERESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYBODY”

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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsFAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

Avda. Dag Hammarskjöld 3241 – VitacuraPhone: (562) 337-2100Santiago, Chilehttp://www.rlc.fao.org

This manual was prepared in the framework of the Food SecurityDepartmental Plan (MANA). Antioquia, Colombia. ProjectTCP/3101/COL and UTF/COL/027/COL

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Notes

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Notes