Date released
30 October 2024

In the past 2 years, an ACIAR-supported value chain project in the Philippines has seen the country’s first smallholder vegetable farmers certified through the Philippines Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) program.

Although PhilGAP was first launched in 2006 by the Department of Agriculture, there have been few market or other incentives to drive uptake of certification. The program aims to ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products, environmental protection, and the health, safety and welfare of farm workers. 

But with 43 vegetable growers now certified in the Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions, and more in progress, it has breathed new life into the PhilGAP program.

The ACIAR-supported project driving this new momentum is a collaboration involving Applied Horticultural Research, Visayas State University (VSU), Landcare Foundation of the Philippines and the East West Seed Company Inc.

The efforts of the VSU team in particular have been recognised, when they were awarded the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan (Public Service) Award in September by the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Leader of the project Professor Gordon Rogers said the project’s primary focus was on demonstrating how smallholder farmers could complete the certification process and how they would benefit from a more consumer-focused approach to production.

Professor Rogers said the research team developed a stepped process which has been the key to help farmers progress towards certification as they were able. There were 36 farms certified by the end of the project in June 2024, and more than 50 other farms had begun the process. By the end of August 2024, the number of certified farms had grown to 43. 

‘We divided the process into 4 steps. The first and second steps involve the sort of things that farmers can do easily and cheaply, and which actually have the greatest benefit in terms of improving the food quality and safety, and farm productivity,’ said Professor Rogers.

Benefits for farmers undertaking certification have included reduced farm inputs, improved health with safer farming practices, improvements in the quality and safety of their produce and increased prices for certified produce.

Mr Alvin Morales, one of the farmers who has received PhilGAP training, said, ‘The ACIAR project was really a big help to us and taught us many things. Before, we did not care so much about the proper way or methods of applying farm inputs, fertilisers, and pesticides, and how these impact people’s health and the environment. 

‘The PhilGAP program taught us to better understand our crops, the environment, the soil, and their inter-relationship. We were taught the more detailed and scientific-based approach to farming.

Mr Alvin Morales
PhilGAP program participant

‘It is high time that more farmers adopt good agricultural practices that will not harm the environment and produce healthier and safer food for people.

Professor Rogers said the cost of certification ranged from about 30,000 to 300,000 pesos (A$800 to $8000). This depended largely on the materials used for construction of a storage shed and toilet required for certification. However, most farmers found the costs were recovered in less than 2 years, and in less than 6 months in some instances.

The project helped farmers adopt a customer-focused approach and identify higher-value niche markets, including food service providers for the healthcare sector and modern food retailers. 

‘We also did consumer studies as part of our research and found that when consumers know GAP-certified produce is guaranteed safe to eat, they're willing to pay a premium,’ added Professor Rogers.

Professor Zenaida Gonzaga at VSU, was the Philippine project leader, coordinating much of the field research and training for farmers related to the project, as well as PhilGAP training more broadly.

She said 221 farmers received PhilGAP training, and more than 350 farm extension workers have been trained to promote GAP practices. These extension officers would be key to continuing the moment the ACIAR-supported project has generated into the future.

Professor Gonzaga highlighted Baybay City Government in Leyte province as being particularly proactive in supporting the project, providing funding for the purchase of materials needed for chemical sheds. It was also the first local government body to pass an ordinance requiring its agricultural extension officers to promote the program with growers.

‘Implementation of PhilGAP requires intervention like this at a policy level. Little by little we have increased the number of farms being certified and the support from local government. 

‘We now have support to promote certified produce through Baybayania Agriventures, which is a federation of farmers supported by Baybay’s government.’

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Inspecting new onion varieties at Visayas State University
Professor Zenaida Gonzaga and Maricel Adelantar inspect new onion varieties at Visayas State University, which the project team identified as a new crop for the region under the PhilGAP program. Photo: ACIAR

At a higher level, the Regional Development Council for Eastern Visayas – Region VIII – has now also passed a resolution requiring all 6 provinces within the region to implement the PhilGAP program as part of their research extension services.

GAP practices are also gaining momentum at ground level, with farmers who have received training keen to share what they have learned with others. This includes pest identification and safe work practices on farm, through to the transport and marketing of produce. 

‘We’ve found that the project, and the PhilGAP training, have elevated technical farming practices,’ said Professor Gonzaga. ‘It has also significantly reshaped the values and attitudes of farmers who are stepping up to share their knowledge around working safely and producing better quality, safer produce.’ 

ACIAR Project: 'Developing vegetable value chains to meet evolving market expectations in the Philippines'  (HORT/2016/188)