Farmers Advised To Adopt Global Gap Principles

This was stated by Dr Rafiq-ur-Rehman Coordinator "Supply chain Project" while addressing a gathering of agriculture, livestock and poultry farmers at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad.

He said that the Punjab government will start a programme with billions of rupees under which the supply chain of 15 selected agricultural and livestock products will be improved according to international standard so that these products could be recognized completely and could be sold in the markets of developed countries.

Under this supply chain management programme, 3,000 farmers will be included of which 2,250 farmers will be related to agriculture and 750 farmers to livestock sector. According to Pakistan Observer, these farmers will be imparted training to obtain global gap certification in view of international standard.

He also said that a traceability bar and logo will be issued to each packing to be offered for export. Informing about the details of financial assistance under this project, he said that 70 per cent of the estimated cost for supply chain of agricultural and livestock products will be provided to the stakeholders who will participate in the programme this year.

He said that 50 per cent of the expected cost will be given to the stakeholder participating for the second year and 30 per cent financial assistance will be provided to third year participants.

For financial assistance, application forms may be obtained from District Officer Extension, District Officer Livestock or downloaded from the website of the Agriculture Department Punjab. The applications can be submitted to the Agricultural Department till 21 November, he added.