Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Benefits

Good Agricultural Practices ( pastes) BenefitsIndian bolt down has a rich historical past. Hymns in Rigveda describe plowing, sowing, irrigation, fruit and veget suitable cultivation. An ancient Indian Sanskrit text, Bhumivargaha, classified agricultural land into twelve categories urvara (fertile), ushara (barren), pankikala (muddy), maru (desert), aprahata (fallow), jalaprayah (watery), kachchaha (land adjoining to water), sharkara (full of pebbles and pieces of limestone), shadvala (grassy), nadimatruka (land watered from a river), sharkaravati (sandy), and devamatruka (rainfed). Archaeological prove suggests that rice was grown on the banks of the Indian river Ganges in the sixth millennium BC. Thousands of years ago, Indian bring oners used to domesticate cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs and horses The farmers used traditional methods of cultivation.However, over past fifty dollar bill years Indian existence has tripled. To meet the diet requirements of the increas ing population and save them from starvation improver in farm production was the impoverishment of the hour. Norman Borlaug, titled as the Father of the Green Revolution introduced the concepts of cornerstone of high-yielding varieties of cereal grains, increase of irrigation infrastructure, advancement of management techniques, distribution of hybridized seeds, use of semisynthetic fertilizers and pesticides to farmers in developing countries. India too successfully implemented it, which led to quick growths in farm productivity and enabled us to become self-sufficient by the 1970s. However, this historical revolution created some problems also. For example high yield was associated with land degradation. Also there was increase in number of weeds. in that respect was evidence of chemics in water and crops making them un adept. Today, India is among the top three global producers of many crops, including wheat, rice, cotton, pulses, peanuts, fruits and vegetables. Worldwide, India has the largest herds of buffalo and cattle. It is also the largest producer of milk. Also India has one of the largest and fastest increment poultry industries. Indias basic strength lies in its farms. With this huge farm productivity it becomes imperative that the safety and musical note of farm produce is ensured at all stages of production. We need to balance the requirements of food security and safety both. The effect to this complex problem is by adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). To increasing the sum and prize of food in response to growing demand it is needful to increase the agricultural productivity. Good agricultural practices, often in compounding with effective input use, are one of the best ways to increase productivity and improve quality.GAPs enhance the production safe and honourable quality food. These practices are ususally environmentally safe and ensure that the final product is charm handled, stored and transported. When GAPs are put in practice in true record it can be assured that the food will meet quality and safety standards at the time of harvest. GAPs protect food at the immemorial stage of production from contamination by the following -Physical hazards same rocks, dirt ,sand filth, putrid and decomposed materialsToxic chemical hazards and contaminants from the environment like glowering metals, environmental pollutants and industrial chemicals)Excessive or unsafe levels of agricultural chemical residues as pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary drugs and other chemicalsContamination or damage by pests, vermin and other insectsBiological contamination by mould, pathogenic bacteria or viruses which can cause spoilage, crop damage and food borne nausea or chronic health hazards in humansAccording to nourishment and Agriculture Organization of United Nations Good Agricultural Practices are practices that court environmental, economic and complaisant sustainability for on-farm processes, and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products (figure 1).Figure 1 Four main pillars of GAP.The world(prenominal) grocery is becoming competitive. The developed countries have become more demanding, critical and slopped when it comes to accepting export of food from developing countries. To have a good standing of our farm produce in the international market Indian Good Agricultural Practices (INDGAP) have been formulated. Adopting theses practices will ensure a safe and sustainable farm produce.INDGAP defines certain minimum standards with a thoroughly delineate system of accreditation mechanism and implementation of GAP. These standards are voluntary and non discriminatory to the growers. INDGAP has diametric modules for all farm, crops, fruits and vegetables, combinable crops, green tea and coffee. Broad outline of non-homogeneous aspects which need to be managed are -Site history and management dishonor managementSoil mappingPlant nutrition management an fertili zersIrrigation and fertigationincorporated pest managementPlant protection productsTraceabilityComplaints managementVisitors safety read keepingHealth welfare and safety of workersEnvironmental conservation bollix and pollution managementThe potential benefits of GAP are significant betterment in quality and safety of food and other agricultural products. on that point is a marked reduction in risk of non-compliance with national and international regulations regarding permitted pesticides, maximum levels of contaminants (including pesticides, veterinary drugs, radionuclide and mycotoxins) in food and non-food agricultural products, as well as other chemical, microbiological and physical contamination hazards. Adoption of GAP helps to advertize sustainable agriculture and contributes to meeting national and international environment and social development objectives.However there are various challenges related to GAP. The around prominent is a definite increase in cost of produc tion. There is lack of harmonization between existing GAP-related schemes and availability of affordable hallmark systems which often leads to increased confusion and certification costs for farmers and exporters. There is a high risk that small-scale farmers will not be able to seize export market opportunities unless they are adequately informed, technically prepared and organised to meet this new challenge. It is required that governments and public agencies play a facilitating role in this aspect. However, at times it has been experienced that compliance with GAP standards does not promote all the environmental and social benefits which are claimed. several(prenominal) key points for adopting GAP are-Selecting the right type of land to be cultivated for food crop productionPlanting the best-quality seeds and of the most enchant varietiesUse of authorized and acceptable chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) as per approved directions (e.g. concentration, frequency, measur e of use)Controlling the quality of irrigation water (in case of use)Use of appropriate harvest-tide and on-farm storing and handling techniquesUse of suitable methods for shipping of produceto markets or food processors.