GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON FARMS IN THE BANANA SECTOR IN COLOMBIA
In 2013, WWF began implementing the Sustainable Banana Production project in Colombia and Ecuador, through its offices in Germany, Colombia and Ecuador.
This pilot project has so far succeeded in increasing the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by producers to a level beyond what is contemplated by some sustainable certification standards and has also allowed access to new markets in Europe. This publication focuses on the production and marketing of bananas under GAP standards and was developed within the framework of this project.
As bananas are one of the most representative products in differentiated markets, due to their high demand and permanent consumption at the global level, this publication, called Guidelines for the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices on farms in the banana sector in Colombia, is intended to serve as a guide for producers and marketers in the implementation of GAP and to provide alternatives to address the recurring gaps that hinder access to specialized markets.
The publication is divided into two parts. The first presents the context of the GAP market for bananas; the second presents the fundamental recommendations for its implementation and for accessing a differentiated market, based on experiences.
However, it should be clarified that the recommendations contained herein are not legal in nature and their adoption by producers is voluntary. The purpose of this publication is to provide producers, project implementers and other interested parties with a guide for the incorporation of Good Agricultural Practices in banana production, based on the identification of repeated gaps in the production system that hinder access to differentiated markets.
