Phulbari Hosts ‘Partner Congress’ to Promote GAP-Certified Safe Farming

A Partner Congress was held in Phulbari, Dinajpur, on Tuesday to promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for producing safe, export-quality crops. The initiative aims to align local farming with international standards to boost nutrition and rural entrepreneurship.

The event, organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), took place at the Upazila Parishad Hall. Supported by the World Bank, the program falls under the 2025–2026 fiscal year "Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience (PARTNER)."

Samiul Islam, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Phulbari, presided over the session. District Training Officer Shaha Alam Mia attended as the chief guest, while Upazila Agriculture Officer Saif Abdullah Mostafin provided technical guidance.

Speakers emphasized that obtaining GAP certification requires farmers to follow strict cultivation rules, maintain farm diaries, and use only approved fertilizers and pesticides. Regular inspections of soil and water quality are also mandatory.

"GAP certification is the key to entering European and other developed markets," officials noted. "It ensures farmers receive premium prices while providing consumers with guaranteed safe food." Experts urged local farmers to adopt these standards to transform traditional farming into a profitable, export-oriented sector.