Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi has certified a total of 1,536 farms in the emirate for high standards of food production, sustainability, and worker and animal welfare.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) said the farms have been certified under Abu Dhabi Good Agricultural Practice (ADG.AP), a local extension of a series of internationally designed Global Good Agricultural Practice programs (GLOBALG.AP). standard).
Of the facilities certified by the end of 2022, 751 farms are located in Abu Dhabi, 521 in Al Ain and 264 in the Al Dhafra region.
added value, security
The internationally recognized certificate will now help add value to some 44 certified products from these farms.
All ADG.AP certified farms will also receive advice and guidance from Adafsa’s agricultural extension team, which in turn will improve farm infrastructure including fruit and vegetable handling areas, water reservoirs, storage facilities for plant protection products and chemicals. The certification further ensures that farm workers will receive training in all technical aspects of crop production, including food and environmental safety, biosecurity, produce traceability, and farm worker health and welfare.
International recognition
Adafsa has been granted the right to issue ADG.AP certification to comply with the standards set by Germany for GLOBALG.AP ADG.AP certified producers, farm details and certification status are now also available in the GLOBALG.AP database.
Adafsa places food safety and security, worker and animal welfare, and sustainability at the forefront and has therefore signed an agreement with GLOBALG.AP to issue the ADG.AP certificate. The certificate follows a national model that enables farmers to cost-effectively apply international standards in a manner consistent with agricultural conditions and agricultural sustainability requirements in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Certification bodies audit, inspect and assess production processes and follow up on farm practices to verify compliance.