The department of agriculture is implementing growing of vegetables and culinary crops such as rice, beans, pulses and corn using a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) system in some States and Regions  which could help Myanmar’s agricultural industry better access export markets.

Coffee grown with the GAP system enters international market successfully. In order to export high quality agricultural products, increase of productivity is needed according to Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr. Aung Thu.

The GAP system involves specific farming methods designed to ensure that food that reaches consumers is of a certified level of quality and safety.

Among the benefits of adopting the GAP system in developing countries is gaining access to new export markets, improving the use of natural resources and improving overall safety and quality standards, according to UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

Currently, Kayah State produces good quality sesame using GAP system and is preparing to export to international markets.

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation has announced that 15 most exported items and most consumed crops of Myanmar needs to be produced using the GAP system.

The Ministry has also drawn Myanmar GAP protocol to support the government’s objective of increasing productivity, market access and competitiveness of the agricultural sector by improving the provision of quality input to farmers.

The most consumed and major export items of Myanmar are mango, watermelon, avocado, chili, tomato, onion, garbage, corn, beans and pulses, sesame, groundnut, paddy, coffee, pomelo and muskmelon.

Read more at: http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/14124