‘DCCI Agro Service Desk’ inaugurated Global G.A.P. practice for safe and quality agriculture: DCCI Seminar

DHAKA, May 27 (NsNewsWire) — For the development of Bangladesh’s agriculture sector and to assist the stakeholders and entrepreneurs of this sector, “DCCI Agro Service Desk” has been established at the premises of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) initiated by DCCI and supported by USAID’s Agriculture Value Chain (AVC) Project on 27 May 2018. DCCI Senior Vice President Kamrul Islam FCA inaugurated the Desk.

During the programme, DCCI Senior Vice President Kamrul Islam, FCA said in Bangladesh, the contribution of agriculture in GDP is 14.75% and it employs 40.6% (around 24.5 million people) of the total employment. Our export earnings from Agro-food reached to US$553 million in 2016-2017 which is only 1.59% of total export basket. Bangladesh also sets a target to achieve US$1 billion from Agro-food export by 2021. He said Global G.A.P. is an internationally recognized standard practiced by the farmers or producers by which we can ensure safety and quality food chain, capturing new market advantages, improve workers’ health, working conditions and creating new market opportunities for farmers/exporters in developing countries. To enter into the world market especially the European and US market, Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) and other standards need to be strictly maintained. A recent study of Institute of Public Health & Nutrition, Bangladesh suggests that 43 consumer goods selected as the sample was adulterated and average Adulteration rate was 40% and 100% adulteration found in 13 consumer goods. He also said that in Bangladesh, post-harvest loss is too high, 12% in paddy and 20% of total productions of vegetables and fruits because of lack of processing, storage and packaging facilities. He said that government is trying to formulate Bangladesh G.A.P. initially to ensure the method and practice of this international standard.

From ‘DCCI Agro Service Desk’ procedures of getting Global G.A.P. License & Certificate, diversification of agro-products, technological assistance, export market exploration, sharing of Global G.A.P. standard and practice, information regarding Global G.A.P. will be provided. DCCI is the local partner of Global G.A.P. Press Release