KOTA KINABALU: In a bid to expand market opportunities, local farmers have been strongly urged to prioritise health and safety in their farming practices. The Sabah Fruit Farmers Association (SFFA) emphasised the importance of adhering to the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practice (MyGap) guidelines to ensure that their produce can access both domestic and overseas markets.
Dato’ Lawrence Ting, President of SFFA, highlighted that currently, the majority of local farmers fail to meet the MyGap requirements, posing challenges for future export prospects. To address this pressing issue, SFFA, in collaboration with Persatuan Pekebun Kecil Daerah Tenom, will jointly organise a Tenom farmers seminar on October 31st at the Yih Foh Coffee Park Hall. The seminar will run from 8 am to 1:40 pm.
Ting emphasised the significance of MyGap, which has been introduced by the government since 2002, but unfortunately remains unfamiliar to many farmers.
“Therefore, we decided to organise this seminar to enlighten them,” he stated. Certification through MyGap is critical for the future of farming, as it serves as recognition of proper practices and compliance with industry standards.
MyGap operates as a comprehensive management system that promotes good and sustainable agricultural practices. By considering the welfare, safety, and health of workers, as well as environmental preservation, the system aims to increase farm productivity while ensuring the production of safe and high-quality food. Ting further stressed that MyGap also emphasises the safe use of pesticides.
During the seminar, experts in the field will share valuable insights. The branch manager of Keningau Agrobank will discuss financing solutions in the agriculture sector, while a representative from the Sabah Agriculture Department will delve into the importance of MyGap in local vegetable farming and provide relevant application details.
Additionally, a speaker from Advansia Sdn Bhd will cover topics related to integrated control of durian pests and diseases, nutrient management, and the utilization of fertilisers in cultivation.
MyGap represents a re branding effort, replacing the Malaysian Good Farm Practices Scheme, which was initially developed based on the Malaysian Standard MS 1784:2005 Crop Commodities-GAP. By embracing MyGap, farmers can not only enhance their market access but also contribute to the advancement of sustainable and responsible farming practices.-BNN
