Report on the Promotion of Good Agricultural Practices in Tabuk City for Sustainable Development

Executive Summary

The Office for the City Agricultural Services (OfCAS) in Tabuk City, Kalinga, is actively promoting the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among local farmers. This initiative is a strategic effort to advance multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing food security, ensuring food safety, and fostering economic and environmental sustainability.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The GAP initiative directly supports the achievement of several key SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By focusing on increasing crop yields and producing safe, nutritious food, the program aims to ensure local food security.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The emphasis on strict biosecurity measures, safe food production, and controlled use of agrochemicals ensures consumer health and safety.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: GAP implementation is designed to boost farmers’ income, improve access to markets, and ensure the safety and well-being of farm workers.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The program is centered on sustainable production patterns, including proper waste disposal, efficient resource use, and adherence to environmental standards through GAP certification.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: Practices promoted under GAP, including organic farming and soil health management, contribute to environmental sustainability and the protection of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative underscores the critical need for collaboration among farmers, government bodies like OfCAS, and the Department of Agriculture to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Key Directives and Certification Requirements

To institutionalize sustainable practices, OfCAS encourages stakeholders to adhere to established production standards, with a focus on obtaining GAP certification. The core requirements for certification include:

1. Demonstration of proper and safe use of fertilizers and pesticides.
2. Maintenance of clean and hygienic farming areas.
3. Implementation of proper waste disposal systems.
4. Prioritization of the safety and well-being of all farm workers.

Adherence to these standards promotes soil health, reduces production costs, and improves market access for farmers.

Challenges to Implementation

Agriculturist Fe Sano identified several challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of GAP, requiring strategic intervention:

• Issues related to agronomic practices.
• The need for greater adoption of technological advancements in agriculture.
• Shifts in consumer demands and preferences.
• Potential threats of bioterrorism affecting the food supply.
• Evolving practices in animal husbandry and the food industry.

Strategic Training and Capacity Building

In response to these challenges, OfCAS is actively engaged in capacity building. A recent training session on GAP and sustainable lowland vegetable production was conducted for local stakeholders. The training targeted key groups to maximize impact:

• Local vegetable farmers
• Members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC)
• Representatives from various farmers’ associations

The training aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in sustainable farming methods, thereby accelerating the region’s progress toward achieving its sustainable development objectives.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Tabuk City touches upon several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus on food production, safety, economic viability for farmers, and environmental care directly aligns with the core principles of the SDGs.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text explicitly mentions the goals of promoting “food security and safety,” “increasing crop yields,” and ensuring the production of “safe, nutritious food.” The emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices like GAP and organic farming directly contributes to building resilient and sustainable food production systems.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects agricultural practices to public health by emphasizing the need to produce “safe and healthy food.” The call for “strict biosecurity measures” and the requirement for farmers to demonstrate “proper use of fertilizers and pesticides” aim to reduce health risks associated with food consumption, linking directly to ensuring healthy lives.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The economic empowerment of farmers is a key theme. The article states that GAP is crucial for “boosting farmers’ income” and improving “access to markets.” Furthermore, the requirement for GAP certification to include prioritizing the “safety and well-being of farm workers” addresses the goal of ensuring decent and safe working conditions.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is addressed through the promotion of “sustainable agricultural practices.” Specific actions mentioned, such as the “proper use of fertilizers and pesticides” and ensuring “proper waste disposal,” are central to achieving sustainable management of natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of food production.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article underscores the importance of collaboration. It highlights the need for “collaboration among farmers, the Department of Agriculture, and OfCAS” to achieve food safety goals. The training conducted for “local vegetable farmers, members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC), and various farmers’ associations” is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership aimed at building capacity and sharing knowledge.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues and actions described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food

   The article’s core mission to “promote food security and safety” and produce “safe, nutritious food” for consumers directly aligns with this target.

2. Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers

   The initiative aims at “increasing crop yields and boosting farmers’ income,” which is the central objective of this target.

3. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices

   The entire push for the “adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP),” support for “organic farming,” and training on “sustainable lowland vegetable production” are actions designed to meet this target by making agriculture more sustainable and resilient.

4. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all

   This is addressed by the focus on “boosting farmers’ income” and the explicit GAP requirement of “prioritizing the safety and well-being of farm workers.”

5. Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes

   The article specifies that GAP certification requires farmers to demonstrate “proper use of fertilizers and pesticides” and “ensure proper waste disposal,” which are key components of this target aimed at minimizing adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   The article provides a clear example of this target in action through the described “collaboration among farmers, the Department of Agriculture, and OfCAS” and the joint training efforts involving various farmers’ associations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several practical indicators that can be used to track progress:

• Rate of adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): The primary goal is to increase the “adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among local farmers.” Measuring the number or percentage of farmers who adopt these practices would be a direct indicator of progress.
• Number of GAP-certified farms: The article mentions the “GAP certification process.” Tracking the number of farms that successfully obtain this certification serves as a concrete measure of implementation.
• Crop Yields: The stated goal of “increasing crop yields” can be measured by collecting data on agricultural output per hectare for farmers who have adopted GAP.
• Farmer Income Levels: Progress on “boosting farmers’ income” can be monitored by tracking the average income of participating farmers before and after adopting GAP and gaining better market access.
• Proper management of agricultural inputs and waste: Compliance with GAP requirements, such as the “proper use of fertilizers and pesticides” and “proper waste disposal,” can be monitored through farm inspections and certification audits.
• Number of training and capacity-building activities: The article mentions a “training on GAP and sustainable lowland vegetable production.” The number of such training sessions held and the number of farmers and association members trained are indicators of partnership and knowledge-sharing efforts.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: baguioheraldexpressonline.com