Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) issued GAP certificates to nine coffee plantations on April 26 with the aim of boosting international consumer confidence in Myanmar-made coffee which demand has been rising in international markets. The nine coffee plantations are Si Thar, Green Land 1 and 2, Mya Myanmar and Creation Myanmar from Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay, Mogok, Yamonar and Aung from Mogok Township in Mandalay and Moe Htet from Nawngcho Township, Shan State.
GAP certificates holders will have better opportunities to fetch better prices and will be able to enjoy more market share in foreign markets as some foreign countries, including Myanmar’s neighbors, are beginning to accept the GAP certificates issued by Myanmar, coffee produced by GAP-certified coffee plantations.
“GAP holders provide consumers with the reassurance that their products are made without harmful chemicals. This gives consumers more confidence,” said U Myint Swe. This comes at a time when buyers are becoming more conscientious of the products they import, including China, which used to purchase Myanmar coffee without inspection in the past but is now beginning to ask producers if they have the certificate, U Myint Swe added.
Myanmar started to issue GAP certificates for 15 types of crops, including coffee, since 2016. The certificates are granted based on farming and crop conditions from the planting to harvesting stages. It also considers any negative impact to the environment as well as the producer’s ability to improving living conditions of the surrounding community. So far, 1538 training sessions have been provided. A total of 253 GAP certificates have been issued since 2016, according to MOALI.
Reference- myanmartimes