The Government of Nepal, Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) and the FAO jointly organized the National Stakeholders consultation workshop on Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) scheme for Nepal on March 3, 2015.  The objective of the workshop was focused on the “Development of Standards and scheme for Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) implementation and certification in countries of SAARC”.

Speaking from the chair Mr. Jaya Mukunda Khanal, Secretary at the Ministry of Agricultural Development, highlighted the importance in the country and identified it as an important issue of livelihood He informed that for Nepal SAARC  is an important market  and for the SAARC GAP Scheme  it is pertinent time for its launch. He appreciated the timely initiative of FAO in supporting Nepal to develop infrastructure to meet the market requirement. He also informed that an accreditation board under the Accreditation Act is going to be promulgated soon by the Government of Nepal.

Dr. SomsakPipoppinyo, FAO Representative in Nepal, said that the initiative will provide a strong mechanism for implementing good practices by producers. He further added that the initiative will ensure an internationally acceptable certification scheme.  Dr. Dinesh Prasad Parajauli, Joint Secretary at the MoAD highlighted on the importance of GAP and its recognition by the Government of Nepal for the well-being of the farmers.  Dr. Parajuli, who is also the Member-Secretary of GAP Steering Committee, highlighted on the needs and importance of GAP in Nepal.

Ms. Shashi Sareen, Senior Food Safety and Nutrition Officer, RAP, FAO, informed that Nepal was one of the pilot countries amongst four SAARC countries namely Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives.

In the technical sessions of the workshop, the FAO experts Ms. Shashi Sareen, Mr Dinesh Menon and  Mr Manish Pande made presentations on “SAARC GAP Scheme and Role of Scheme Owner”, “Requirements for certification bodies and their approval” and Requirements and Certification Criteria” respectively. The technical sessions were presided over by Dr. Dinesh Prasad Prajauli, Joint Secretary at the MoAD and Dr. Yubak Dhwaj GC, Director General of the Department of Agriculture. In the concluding session Ms. Shabnam Shivakoti, Joint Secretary at MoAD, made presentation on National Action Plan based on discussion including approvals needed and preparations by different Organizations for Nepal.  Speaking from the chair of the concluding session, Dr. Rajendra Adhikari, Joint-Secretary at MoAD, highlighted the need of integration of multiple initiative in developing the objectives of GAP Scheme. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the standard met the requirements of domestic, regional and global markets.

@telegraph