Officials from the National Marketing and Agricultural Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Namdevco) and the IICA Representation in that country participated in a study mission in Costa Rica to learn about the implementation of good agricultural practices.
The recent visit sought to take advantage of the significant progress that Costa Rica has made in the implementation of good agricultural practices, with support from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Trinidad and Tobago can benefit from the Costa Rican experience, given that both countries produce some crops in similar agro-ecological conditions.
The work agenda included visits to organizations related to the implementation and promotion of GAP, in coordination with the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) of the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).
They visited the BPA-SFE Program, the Costa Rican Chamber of Exporters (Cadexco) and production and export companies in the cities of Siquirres, Pital, San Gerardo de Dota and Cartago.
The visitors conducted interviews and toured production fields and packing plants for fresh fruits and vegetables, destined for the local market and export.
Costa Rica has the Voluntary Certification in BPA through a national program, available to producers free of charge. The program includes training activities, accompaniment in the implementation, auditing and certification in good agricultural practices.