GLOBALG.A.P. certification becomes more affordable for agricultural producers in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- National standard of Good Agricultural Practice (G.A.P. – Good Agricultural Practice) based on requirements of GLOBALG.A.P. has been developed and introduced in Uzbekistan. Now, local companies planning to enter global market can obtain international GLOBALG.A.P. certificates spending less time and money.

GLOBALG.A.P. is an internationally recognized set of standards ensuring food safety and compliance with quality and technical requirements. Currently,agricultural producers in more than 124 countries around the world are under GLOBALG.A.P. certification, and the total number of certified producers exceeds 180,000, of which 75% offer crop products (vegetables and fruits).

To enter the world market, food producers need to assure that their product is grown in safe conditions and meet environmental requirements. They need to comply with the standards of chemicals use and rational use of natural resources and providing decent work environment for employees. For many foreign companies, the GLOBALG.A.P. Certificate is one of the important conditions for trade in agricultural products. International retail chains and supermarkets are interested in purchasing products, quality of which is certified by international standards.

In competitive global and regional markets of agricultural products, the GLOBALG.A.P. Certificate confirms the adherence of the grown products to all the quality requirements that undoubtedly contributes to customer loyalty improvement and sales growth.

Through implementation of the GLOBAlG.A.P. Standard, a producer, demonstrates openness and responsibility for its products. This always positively effects on improving the company’s image and sales.

Before the adoption of the national standard, local producers of agricultural products had to apply to foreign companies to conduct GLOBALG.A.P. audits and certify products. Now, with the adoption of the national standard for Good Agricultural Practice based on GLOBALG.A.P. requirements, local certification bodies can conduct audits. This reduces time and cost for obtaining GLOBALG.A.P. certificates, and gives an option to pay for services in local currency.

Compliance with the GLOBALG.A.P. Standard will make it easier for farmers to access foreign markets and increase revenues. Consumers will be able to receive quality and safe agricultural products, and employees of agricultural companies will be provided with decent working conditions. In addition, the GLOBALG.A.P. Standard requires producers to take an environmental approach in their activities and take care of preserving the environment.

Since 2015, UNDP’s ‘Aid for Trade’ project has been working on easing access of local agro products to foreign markets through promoting international standards in product certification. The project conducted a series of workshops for local farmers and supported a few agrocompanies in passing through GLOBALG.A.P. audits and getting the certificates. A brochure on main GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for agricultural products has been prepared and issued for local farmers.

The initiative of UNDP and the Government of Uzbekistan on the development of international trade to increase incomes and create jobs is carried out in accordance with the Strategy of Action on development of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021, as well as with the global activities of UNDP to assist countries in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).