Good agricultural practices for bananas

Good Agricultural Practices

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are "practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products"1. GAP are particularly important in the banana industry, not only for sustainability of production and minimization of environmental impact, but also to ensure that harvesting, packaging, and transport activities are conducted in hygienic conditions in order to deliver safe and good quality fruit to consumers. Moreover, certain activities performed in the sector carry important risks for workers, and these need to be addressed to ensure safe and efficient banana production.

According to this definition, the four pillars of GAP are:

  • Economic viability
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Social acceptability
  • Food safety and quality

GAP are particularly important in the banana industry, not only for sustainability of production and minimization of environmental impact, but also to ensure that harvesting, packaging, and transport activities are conducted in hygienic conditions in order to deliver safe and good quality fruit to consumers. Moreover, certain activities performed in the sector carry important risks for workers, and these need to be addressed to ensure safe and efficient banana production.

If correctly implemented, GAP can limit the following risks2:

  • Microbiological contamination of water and tools
  • Unsuitable or contaminated soils
  • Inappropriate tool or machinery handling
  • Dangerous product storage and chemical contamination
  • Contamination of the fruit due to inappropriate chemical doses
  • Introduction of new pests, pathogens, or diseases into the production area
  • Health risks for workers related to pesticide use
  • Low fruit quality
  • Low production

Many GAP guidelines and standards have been created at the international, national, and local levels by international organizations, industry groups, companies, and civil society organizations.

An example of GAP guidelines by an intergovernmental organization: FAO Good Agricultural Practices

An example of GAP guidelines by an intergovernmental organization: FAO Good Agricultural Practices

FAO GAP Principles

FAO GAP principles2 have been defined to serve as a reference for voluntary sustainability standards on GAP. These technical recommendations are not compulsory.

Category

Guidelines

Soil Management and Fertilization

 

  • Implement crop rotation and other land use practices to conserve soil organic matter.
  • Use cover crops to prevent erosion and establish permanent cover crops where possible.
  • Define appropriate timing, amount, and application method for organic and mineral fertilizers.

 

Water Stewardship

 

  • Manage ground and soil water by adjusting drainage and infiltration.
  • Improve soil structure and increase soil organic matter.
  • Avoid contamination of water resources with organic or inorganic production inputs.
  • Monitor crop and soil water status and schedule irrigation accordingly.
  • Adopt water-saving and recycling practices.

 

Crop Production

 

  • Select cultivars and varieties based on production, nutritional factors, and their response to fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Apply organic and inorganic fertilizers using appropriate handling and equipment.
  • Recycle crop and organic residues to stabilize soil nutrients.
  • Adhere to safety regulations and standards regarding equipment and machinery.

 

Crop Protection

 

  • Conduct regular surveys and implement forecasting techniques.
  • Prepare contingency plans and rapid response measures for pest and disease outbreaks.
  • Prefer pest and disease-resistant varieties where possible and use pest-free planting materials.
  • Use biological agents or mechanical options for pest, disease, and weed control.
  • Promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
  • Ensure pesticides are handled and stored by trained staff according to legal requirements.
  • Avoid Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
  • Ensure proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage for pesticide application.
  • Record pesticide usage and ensure compliance with safety standards.

 

Harvest and On-Farm Processing

 

  • Respect pre-harvest intervals.
  • Maintain clean and safe conditions for product processing.
  • Use recommended detergents and clean water for washing.
  • Store products in hygienic and suitable conditions.
  • Use clean and appropriate packaging materials.

 

Energy and Waste Management

 

  • Ensure efficient use and safe disposal of energy, nutrients, and pesticide containers.
  • Record energy consumption.
  • Implement energy-saving practices in buildings and machinery use.
  • Explore alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and biofuels.
  • Minimize non-recyclable waste and recycle organic and inorganic materials.
  • Securely store fertilizers and pesticides per legal and best practice guidelines.
  • Establish emergency procedures to limit pollution risks.

 

Health and Safety

 

  • Provide decent wages and fair working conditions.
  • Ensure appropriate working hours and breaks.
  • Train workers in the safe use of tools and machinery.
  • Ensure the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for pesticide handling.
  • Respect re-entry intervals after pesticide application.
  • Uphold workers’ and human rights, particularly for women and children.
  • Encourage local sourcing of inputs and services.

 

Wildlife and Landscape

 

  • Conserve wildlife habitats and landscape features on the farm.
  • Implement diverse cropping patterns to support biodiversity.
  • Minimize pesticide use.
  • Monitor and promote the conservation of flora and fauna.
  • Manage water and wetlands to protect wildlife and prevent pollution.

 

An example of GAP certification scheme by a private sector organization: GLOBALG.A.P. Certification

An example of GAP certification scheme by a private sector organization: GLOBALG.A.P. Certification

GLOBALG.A.P. Certification

GLOBALG.A.P. Logo

The Global Partnership for Good Agricultural Practices was founded in 1997. Today, more than 400 member organizations, including producers, retailers, industry, and service providers, support this initiative3.

Certification Requirements

To be GLOBALG.A.P. certified, banana producers must comply with the Control Points and Compliance Criteria (CPCCs) for fruits and vegetables. This covers all stages of production, including pre-harvest soil management and application of plant protection products, as well as post-harvest processes, produce handling, and on-farm storage.

Certification Options

  • Individual certification: A single producer applies for certification and holds the certificate. Producers with multiple production units can apply for individual certification with or without a Quality Management System (QMS).
  • Group certification: A group of producers requests certification, and the group, as a legal entity, is the certificate holder. In this case, the implementation of a QMS is required.

Certification Process

  1. The applicant(s) must implement and document the appropriate GAP as indicated in the CPCCs. Applicants carry out an annual self-assessment using the GAP checklists and QMS verification list (if applicable).
  2. Producers contact a GLOBALG.A.P.-approved certification body.
  3. A contract is established with the certification body.
  4. A fee must be paid, which includes registration onto the GLOBALG.A.P. database and the external inspection by the certifier.
  5. The certification body carries out an inspection. Inspections are annual, and unannounced inspections may also occur randomly. The certification body issues a certificate, which can be verified online.

Facts on GLOBALG.A.P. Certification4

  • The countries with the largest area of GLOBALG.A.P.-certified bananas are Ecuador (71,800 ha), Colombia (42,500 ha), Guatemala (29,000 ha), Costa Rica (26,600 ha), and the Dominican Republic (14,600 ha), representing approximately 70% of the total surface of GLOBALG.A.P.-certified bananas.
  • As of June 2016, GLOBALG.A.P. had certified 272,000 hectares of bananas in 32 different countries.
  • 83% of the certified area is in the Americas, 10% in Asia, 6% in Africa, and 1% in other regions.

GAP Benefits for producers

  • Acceptance by retailers.
  • Possible improvements to quality of bananas.
  • Possible higher yields.
  • Compliance with national and international regulations, standards and guidelines (in particular the Codex Alimentarius Commission, International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, International Code of Conduct for Distribution and Use of Pesticides, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)) regarding pest management procedures and permitted pesticides, maximum residue levels of pesticides in products, as well as other chemical, microbiological and physical contamination hazards.
  • Value added to the products that facilitates access to markets.

Challenges

  • Need for harmonization between the different GAP guidelines and certifications to avoid confusion, duplication and additional certification costs for farmers and exporters.
  • Risk of diversion of GAP into a competitive advantage in supply chains.
  • Need for funds for public support, information and technical preparation of smallholders to meet GAP requirements.
  • Compliance with GAP standards is not a guarantee of environmental and social benefits.
  • Need for awareness raising on "win-win" practices which lead to improvements in terms of yield and production efficiencies such as Integrated Production and Pest Management (IPPM) as well as environment and health and safety of workers.