Development of a Good Agricultural Practice approach

How to concretely support agricultures which are economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable? What are farmers' incentives to farm more sustainably? Do we need to choose between the interests of the market, small farmers, and the environment?

To help respond to these questions, FAO is conducting e-conferences and field studies that are contributing to develop a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) approach as a means toward concrete implementation of sustainable agriculture and rural development. A multidisciplinary expert consultation on Good Agricultural Practices was held in Rome, Italy on 10-12 November 2003, building on a debate during the 17th Session of FAO's Committee on Agriculture in March-April 2003. Seventeen experts in social and bio-physical sciences from government, civil society and the private sector came to Rome from developed and developing countries. The objectives of the Expert Consultation were to review and confirm basic principles, provide guidance on addressing concerns, and identify strategies for implementation.

The GAP approach seeks to improve environmental, economic and social sustainability of on-farm production and post-production processes resulting in safe and healthy food and non-food agricultural products. It seeks to address the demand-side preferences of consumers and retailers as well as the supply-side priorities of producers and labourers, and to identify those institutions and services that are bridging supply and demand. It seeks to provide a way of working in a holistic manner with relevant stakeholders and promote innovations and options rather than prescriptive solutions. Given the rapid development of codes and standards on agriculture and Good Manufacturing practices by different actors, FAO is providing an international and neutral platform for intergovernmental, private sector and civil society dialogue on the development of a GAP approach.

The Expert Consultation resulted in a wealth of ideas and insights. Experts agreed on key elements of the GAP approach; worked on refining the components and principles; adapted support strategies for three developing countries profiles; and drew up a list of recommendations for further development and implementation of the approach.

Follow-up efforts are expected to result in:

• Capacity building, knowledge dissemination and awareness-raising for policy makers, producers, support institutions and consumers;
• Pilot activities in selected developing countries.

For more information:

Visit the Good Agricultural Practice website

Read the paper presented at the 17th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), 2003

Read related recommendations from the 17th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG),2003

You can also contact: loretta.sonn@fao.org or annesophie.poisot@fao.org