Good Agricultural Practices for sustainable food and nutritional security

Abstract

Demand for safe and quality food, produced under the prescribed sanitary and phyto-sanitary conditions is receiving high preference across the globe. Serving quality food and safeguarding the environment is very important for sustainable development. Adaption of GAPs will ensure food and nutritional security while safeguarding the country’s natural resources and environment. It also increases the credibility among the buyers and sellers and returns to the farmers through easy accessibility of the global market. Adoption of GAP will help to promote sustainable agriculture and contributes to meet National and International environment and social development objectives. India has huge potential to practice GAPs due to low consumption of pesticides and fertilizers compared to many agriculturally advanced countries. However, farmers still need support from the government like establishment of infrastructures including roads, cold storage, and certification organization. The process of certification should be transparent, easy and quick. When GAPs are put in practice in true spirit it can be assured that the food will meet quality and safety standards at the time of harvest. However, small scale farmers will not be able to seize export market opportunities unless they are adequately informed, technically prepared and culturally organised to meet this new challenge.