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Updates
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ASF GLOBALGAP (FORMERLY EUREPGAP) CERTIFICATION PROJECTS FOR CITRUS & MANGO CLUSTERS OF PAKISTAN |
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During the year 2006-07, ASF launched two mega projects to provide support toCitrus and Mango processors & exporters of the country in obtaining GLOBALGAP Certification. |
| The Citrus project was launched for a cluster of 16 leading Kinnow processors and exporters (also termed as Produce Marketing Organizations-PMOs) in |
Bhalwal, District Sargodha for acquisition of GLOBALGAP Certification by implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in the orchards of PMO member Kinnow growers. The total area under cultivation of 324 farmers registered with these 16 PMOs is 15,111 acres that covers approx. 150,000 tons of annual kinnow production which accounts for 75 % of average kinnow exports of Pakistan.
Marketing Organizations (PMOs) representing 19 leading processors and exporters with a total |
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| registered area of 1354 acres under cultivation. Under the same project, the |
PMO at Tando Allahyar also acquired Organic Farming certification for 700 acres of orchard area.
The total cost of these two projects is Rs. 50.00 million and covers the following activities: Certification fee; Fees and travel charges of all consultants; Training & capacity building; Analysis & test cost (water, pesticide residue and other related tests); and other incremental overheads associated with the project. |
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During the year 2007-08, the Citrus Cluster became a hub of extensive activities carried out under the Citrus project. ASF, apart from providing matching-grant support, also guided the PMOs in selecting appropriate human resources and devising effective strategies for the successful implementation of the project. During the year, a Ph.D qualified Associate Professor from the Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad was hired by the PMOs as Project Consultant/Manager. Furthermore, 16 fresh graduates (M.Sc Hons. Horticulture) from various Agriculture Universities of Pakistan were also inducted as Junior Consultants/Facilitators and were assigned to each of the PMOs. A project management unit (PMU) has also been established at Bhalwal under the supervision of the Project Manager. The PMU monitors all the project activities and provides guidance to the Junior Consultants, PMOs, farmers, and other stakeholders. The PMU reports to Project Implementation Committee (PIC) consisting of 3 representatives of PMOs and 1 representative of ASF. The PIC not only monitors the functioning of PMU but also provides guidance on project matters whenever considered necessary.
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| The project has already become a prime success story of ASF. Salient features of the project include: Introduction of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in Kinnow orchards of 15,111 acres; 324 registered farmers; direct impact on living standard of 2,000 farm family members, GLOBALGAP Certification for 16 leading processors and exporters of Kinnow; certification of at least 150,000 tons of Kinnow produce that represents 75% of the average Kinnow exports of Pakistan; opening up of new export markets with premium prices for the Kinnow exporters of Pakistan; incremental annual export earnings of US$ 37.5 million; incremental annual revenues of US$ 2.7 million for the registered Kinnow growers; capacity building of national technical consultants including 1 Ph.D and 16 M.Sc (Hons. Horticulture) qualified professionals; other associated economic benefits to the Citrus industry and economy of Pakistan. To date, 13 PMOs have received GLOBALGAP Certification from BUREAU VERITAS, Spain. Audit process of the remaining PMOs has also been completed and they will also attain certification in due course of time. |
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| A leading Citrus processor & exporter explaining the process flow of Kinnow processing under ASF GlobalGAP Project. (formerly EurepGAP) |
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