The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is encouraging farmers who are interested in exporting their produce to have their farms certified.
According to a NAREI press release, the steps for certification are as follows. First, an application form is obtained from National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) and completed. Then the farmer and the NPPO agree on a date to carry out the first inspection; first inspection is done and advice is given.
Next, inspections continue until the farmer achieves required standard and a report is submitted to NPPO Management Committee recommending certification of farm. Once approved, the farm is certified for one year and subjected to unannounced inspections. If unapproved, procedures are repeated from the inspection phase.
According to Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Oudho Homenauth, farm certification is a condition that must be satisfied for the export market as it guarantees that the farmer would have produced crops under conditions that satisfy local and international markets.
The NPPO, a department within NAREI, is responsible for certifying farms. Quarantine Officers inspect and audit farms for the purposes of seed production, organic crop production and exportation of produce, the release stated.
All farms within “Pest Free Areas” may be considered for a certification since they are located in geographic areas that are known to be free of a particular quarantine pes, the release said.
The release added however that certification of farms in “Pest Free Areas” would be dependent on other pests, the level of pesticides used in controlling them, and good agricultural practices. Farms may take a while to be certified owing to the farmer’s ability to implement the necessary systems.
Additional information can be obtained by contacting NPPO on telephone number 220-5858 or email: nppogy@gmail.com.
