Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

What is Good Agricultural Practices?

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are essential standards verified through a third-party audit to ensure the safe and sustainable production of crops and livestock. By following GAP, farm owners can maximize yields, optimize business operations, and reduce production costs, all while minimizing their environmental impact. Adhering to Good Agricultural Practices also makes it easier for producers to supply products with the quality retailers demand and consumers want. Upon request, GAP compliance can be audited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.

Importance

GAP are important because they reinforce responsible farming methods from site selection and land preparation to harvesting and handling. Together with Good Agronomic Practices, which emphasize efficient and sustainable crop production methods, they provide a holistic approach to farming.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), GAP applies available knowledge to address environmental, economic, and social sustainability on on-farm production and post-production processes, resulting in safe and healthy agricultural products. Implementing GAP can improve the livelihood of producers and the local economy as a whole, contributing to fulfilling national development objectives and sustainable development goals.

What are the 4 Pillars of Good Agricultural Practices?

The 4 Pillars of Good Agricultural Practices

The 4 pillars of good agricultural practices are the foundation of good farming practices. By following them, you can protect your land, keep food safe, and grow your reputation as a trusted provider of quality produce at a fair price. They also help you stay competitive in export markets and open up more opportunities for your farm.

As described by FAO, the 4 GAP pillars are economic viability, environmental stability, social acceptability, and food safety and quality. Let’s walk through each pillar to show what it means for your farm:

GAP Pillar 1: Economic Viability

Farming should be profitable and contribute to sustainable livelihoods. It’s all about making sure your farm pays off — that you earn a steady profit while keeping your land productive for the future. This pillar can be practiced by giving sufficient evidence of the viability of farm operations such as management reviews, annual reports, and financial plans.

GAP Pillar 2: Environmental Stability

Farming should protect natural resources, like soil, water, and biodiversity, while enhancing the natural resource base. The most recent GAP manual emphasizes the need to assess environmental risks on and off new sites, keep records of hazards, and document chemicals used for soil and substrate sterilization. 

Moreover, the GAP manual indicates major requirements for environmental management, such as:

• Manage degraded areas and choose practices that protect soil from further damage.

• Record all fertilizer and soil additive use, including product name, location, date, rate, method, and operator.

• Have a water plan to cut waste and use resources wisely.

• Select crop protection chemicals that don’t harm the environment and deter pests.

• Follow a documented waste management process that reduces, reuses, recycles, and properly disposes of waste.

• Track and review electricity and fuel use to ensure efficient operations.

• Meet national rules that protect plants, animals, native vegetation, waterways, and wildlife habitat.

• Act quickly to reduce odors, smoke, dust, or noise that affect neighbors.

• Train farmers and workers in GAP practices, while documenting training and operational records.

• Review the system yearly to spot new hazards from inputs, processes, or environmental risks.

GAP Pillar 3: Social Acceptability

Farming should provide fair working conditions and respect the rules of local communities. This means meeting the cultural and social demands of society. An essential way of practicing this principle is to protect the agricultural workers’ health from hazards stemming from the improper use of chemicals and pesticides. They should also be trained on the appropriate knowledge and skills for the correct handling and application of hazardous materials.

GAP Pillar 4: Food Safety and Quality

This pillar aims to economically and efficiently produce sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Control should begin in the field to reduce the hazards of contamination. To take action on this commitment, evaluate the following elements of food safety and produce quality modules of GAP for fruits and vegetables:

Elements of Food Safety and Produce Quality

• Site Management - A clean, suitable site is the foundation of good agriculture.

• Quality Plan - A documented plan guides safe and consistent practices across the farm.

• Planting Material - Using healthy, high-quality seeds reduces the rates of pests, which leads to stronger crops and safer produce.

• GMO Control - Clear rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) keep your business compliant and protect both customers and markets.

• Soil Additives - Fertilizers and additives must be chosen and applied safely to protect crops and the environment.

• Water Management - Water must be clean and safe to prevent contamination of produce. 

• Chemicals - Pesticides and other chemicals must be stored, applied, and disposed of responsibly.

• Harvest Handling - Proper techniques during harvest reduce damage and contamination.

• Traceability - Being able to track produce from the field to the market guarantees a quick response if issues arise. 

• Training - Workers need regular training to apply best practices in food safety. 

• Documentation - Accurate records document practices and support accountability. 

• Practice Review - Regular reviews check that practices remain effective and up to standard. Continuous improvement strengthens food safety and quality.

Good Agricultural Practices Examples

GAP helps farm operators stay on top of daily tasks and trust their procedures. While it’s often linked to crops, it also applies holistically to livestock. Here are some examples of GAP in action:

GAP Example 1: For growing crops, farmers use the right amount of fertilizer at key stages in the crop cycle (growth, production, and maturation). They apply compost or manure to keep the soil rich in organic matter and reduce erosion by planting hedges or digging ditches.

GAP Example 2: For raising animals, farmers minimize the use of non-therapeutic antibiotics or hormones. They avoid feeding livestock animal by-products (such as processed animal protein) and keep equipment and machinery clean to prevent disease.

GAP Example 3: For protecting the environment and wildlife, farmers choose the right pesticides and fertilizers to protect their soil and water. They also build buffer strips and use no-till practices to stop runoff from reaching rivers and harming underwater habitats.

What is Good Agricultural Practices Certification?

Good Agricultural Practices certification is a process by an independent certifying body to guarantee that production processes or farm products meet GAP standards. GAP certification is voluntary, but it is frequently required by buyers such as produce distributors and supermarkets.

The USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification is the most basic program farmers can get through the agency. If they pass the GAP audit, it confirms they’re following both Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices (GHP), as recommended in the FDA guide on reducing food safety risks for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Food safety risks can happen at any stage of the food chain, so it’s important to tackle them from the farm level. Digital solutions like SafetyCulture help farmers comply with Good Agricultural Practices in their operations. They provide producers with visibility across farming operations, highlight roadblocks in processes, and demonstrate compliance with GAP standards through real-time auditing, tracking, and recording.