MYGAP - Malaysian agriculture Practices

 

A.    INTRODUCTION

MyGAP (Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices) was launched by the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry on 28 August 2013.

1. MyGAP is a rebranding exercise of Malaysian Farm Certification Scheme for Good Agricultural Practices (SALM), Livestock Farm Practices Scheme (SALT), and Malaysian Aquaculture Farm Certification Scheme (SPLAM).
2. MyGAP is a comprehensive certification scheme for agricultural, aquaculture and livestock sector.
3. MyGAP is implemented based on Malaysian Standard (MS). MS 1784:2005 Crop Commodities – Good Agricultural Practice is used for agricultural sector module and MS 1998:2007 Good Aquaculture Practice (GaqP) – Aquaculture Farm – General Guidelines and MS 2467:2012 – Code of Practice for Seaweed Cultivation used for aquaculture sector module. Whereas MS 2027:2006 Good Animal Husbandry Practice is for livestock sector.
4. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) is an agricultural practice which emphasises on environment, economy and social aspects to ensure the produce is safe and of good quality.
5. MyGAP is an Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) initiative under the Strategic Reform Initiatives – Competition, Standard and Liberalisation (SRI-CSL) which is an enabler to the National Key Economic Area – Agriculture (NKEA - Agriculture).

 

 

B)  Benefits of MyGAP Certification

1. Produces quality and safe to eat agricultural products.
2. Reduces environment pollution and assist in developing an environmentally friendly and sustainable national agricultural industry.
3. Since GAP is recognised worldwide, it facilitates the export of the products.
4. One certification scheme facilitates the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices certification.
5. Guarantees the safety and welfare of the staff.
6. Encourages and facilitates the acceptance of consumers towards agricultural, livestock and aquaculture products with only one certification.
7. Unlike SALM, SPLAM and SALT, GAP is more commercialised and will not confuse the consumers and entrepreneurs.
8. Facilitates and reduces the promotional costs as consumers are already very familiar with GAP products.

 

 

C)  Direction

1. Increase the number of farms with MyGAP certification to encourage quality and safe to eat produce for domestic and export market.
2. Increase consumers' awareness and demand for quality and safe to eat produce with MyGAP logo on it.
3. Increase the Malaysian agricultural produce competitiveness at international level.
4. Benchmarked with international GAP certification scheme such as ASEAN GAP and Global GAP.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry, Malaysia.

By,
M Anem,
Senior Agronomist,
Kuantan, Pahang,
Malaysia.
(3 Rejab 1438H)