Good agricultural practices (GAP)
Good agricultural practices (GAP) are a collection of principles applied to on-farm production and post-production processes that aim at safe and healthy agricultural products while taking into account economic, social and environmental sustainability, as framed by FAO.
Also known as: GAP · best practices · good farming practices
Why does it matter?
Productivity gains through GAP are a common route to higher farm income, and to producing more on existing land rather than expanding into forest. GAP are also the core content of most farmer training programmes run by companies, cooperatives and governments.
How does it work?
FAO’s framework groups GAP into components such as soil, water, crop and fodder production, crop protection, animal production, health and welfare, harvest and on-farm processing and storage, energy and waste management, human welfare, health and safety, and wildlife and landscape.
For a cocoa or coffee farmer, this translates into practical routines: regular pruning, sanitary harvesting of diseased pods or cherries, proper fermentation and drying, safe storage and handling of inputs, and protective equipment.
How is adoption measured?
Adoption is measured through farm observations, farmer surveys and records, and linked to outcomes such as yields, quality and income. Measuring training impact requires baselines and follow-up.
Common pitfalls
- Generic recommendations that ignore farmers’ labour and cash constraints.
- Measuring training attendance instead of adoption.
- Recommendations that conflict with local pesticide regulations.
Farmer1st delivers GAP training and checks understanding through its training and quizzes service, with the AI agronomist answering follow-up questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is GAP a certification?
GAP is a general concept. Several private and national standards certify GAP-based requirements; certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance include good agricultural practice requirements among broader criteria.
What do GAP cover for tree crops?
Typically pruning, shade and canopy management, soil fertility, integrated pest and disease management, safe agrochemical use, harvest and post-harvest handling such as fermentation and drying, and record-keeping.
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