Latest news with #GoodAgriculturalPractices
The Star
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
King of fruits: China welcomes Cambodian durian exports
A worker ties up durians at a plantation in Kampong Cham province. - Photo: Supplied PHNOM PENH: Cambodia can now officially export fresh durians to the Chinese market. On Friday (July 4) evening, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that final permission had been granted by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), in accordance with a protocol signed by both parties on April 17. 'The decision was made after the GACC evaluated and approved the registration applications of 112 durian plantations and 30 packing facilities, which met the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards, phytosanitary requirements and Chinese food safety standards,' explained a ministry statement. The ministry advised growers and other stakeholders to ensure the quality and sustainability of export fruit, and called on all farm owners and packing facility operators to comply with the protocol's conditions — free from harmful contaminants, pesticide residues or banned chemicals. It encouraged other farm and packing facility owners who wish to export durian to submit registration applications to the ministry's General Directorate of Agriculture. According to the Ministry of Commerce, durian is the ninth Cambodian agricultural product which is licensed for export to China. It follows rice, broken rice, dried cassava chips, corn, bananas, mangoes, longans, and peppers. 'This is a fruitful achievement born from the strong cooperation between Cambodia and China,' added the agriculture ministry. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Daily Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tawau emerging as a leading durian district
Published on: Friday, July 04, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 04, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Nizam giving the thumb up to one of the durian growers. TAWAU: The growing demand for durian in both domestic and international markets is fuelling the expansion of new plantations in Tawau, reaffirming the district's position as a key durian producer in Sabah's East Coast region. According to the Sabah Agriculture Department, under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development initiative, Tawau is expected to see the addition of 100 hectares of durian cultivation this year, primarily driven by private sector investment. Another 40 acres are projected to be developed by smallholders. Advertisement Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said the expansion would add to the district's current 336 hectares of durian plantations, largely concentrated in Apas, Balung, and Merotai. 'Tawau remains the leading durian-producing district on the East Coast, and there's still room for expansion, especially to meet export market demand,' he said during the Durian Crop Technology Transformation Course held at Dewan Sri Tawau, recently. Nizam encouraged farmers and rural communities in the district to seize the opportunity to venture into durian cultivation using modern agricultural techniques, with support and guidance from the Agriculture Department. He also urged industry players to ensure their produce meets quality and safety standards by adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or organic farming methods, which can lead to certifications such as myGAP or myOrganic. 'We must ensure that our durian produce is safe for consumption and of high quality. 'This includes using certified planting materials and participating in training courses organised by the department, such as those that help farmers identify genuine durian seedlings,' he said. He emphasised that authenticity and quality assurance would play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of Sabah's durian in premium markets. Also present were Sabah Agriculture Director Datuk Jifrin Mohamad, Assistant Director of the Crop Industry Development and Extension Division Jackson Ronald Jaimi, and Assistant Director of Research and Innovation ChM Alinah Abdul Rahman. Others included District Senior Agricultural Officer Abd Samat Injau, who served as co-secretariat for the event and Senior Principal Assistant Director of the Agricultural Extension and Technology Transformation Section Linda Lily Cosmas. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Zawya
26-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Coffee Master Trainer Upgrade (Coffee MUG) Program Surpasses 4,700 Farmers Trained, Boosting Yields and Incomes Across Indonesia's Top Arabica Regions
The Sustainable Coffee Platform of Indonesia (SCOPI) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) ( announced key findings of the mid-term survey from the Coffee Master Trainer Upgrade (Coffee MUG) Program, a five-year initiative helping smallholder farmers in North Sumatra and Aceh adopt sustainable coffee-growing practices. Since its launch in October 2021, the program has trained 4,754 farmers—37% (1,781) women—across 130 villages, with 3,700 hectares now managed under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Nineteen Master Trainers and eight candidates act as local champions, guiding farmer groups on soil health, pruning, post-harvest handling, and quality control. The field midline survey conducted to the program and confirmed that average yields in the target areas rose 13.7 percent in 2023, equivalent to 78 kilograms of green bean per hectare compared to the previous year. Capacity-building results are equally encouraging participating trainers demonstrated 91 percent competence in sustainable coffee farming and 87 percent competence in training methodologies during recent evaluations. Farmer livelihoods are beginning to reflect these gains. Average annual coffee sales reached IDR 82.95 million (US$5,100) per farmer in 2023, while average net farm income rose to IDR 71.52 million (US$4,400). Earlier this year, SCOPI and ITFC convened twin data-utilisation workshops in Berastagi (Karo Regency) and Takengon (Central Aceh Regency). Local officials, private buyers, Master Trainers, and farmer leaders reviewed the mid-line survey results, explored a new web-based monitoring dashboard, and agreed on concrete follow-up actions—such as establishing demonstration plots that now serve as 'living classrooms' for young farmers and expanding market pathways with ofi Indonesia, Louis Dreyfus Company, and Ecom/Indo Cafco. 'This survey is more than just data collection—it is a strategic tool to sharpen the program's direction and ensure it remains responsive to farmers' real needs' said Ade Aryani, Executive Director of SCOPI Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, added: 'Farmer surveys offer data-driven guidance, help identify gaps, and support the development of more impactful strategies. Programs like Coffee MUG must remain dynamic and responsive to field realities.' At data-utilization workshops Karo Regency and Central Aceh Regency, SCOPI and ITFC joined officials, buyers, trainers, and farmers to review mid-line findings, test a new monitoring dashboard, and launch demo plots for youth training. Looking ahead, the program is scaling its trainers network through a new recruitment drive that will bring more young people into the Master Trainer pipeline, securing generational renewal. Field trials focused on soil-health interventions will also continue, targeting a further yield increase by 2026. In parallel, fresh modules on financial literacy and digital marketing are being developed for rollout later this year, with a special emphasis on empowering women and youth farmer groups. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). ITFC Contact: Tel: +966 12 646 8337 Fax: +966 12 637 1064 E-mail: ITFC@ SCOPI Contact: Email: info@ ITFC Social Media: Twitter: @ ITFCCORP Facebook: @ ITFCCorp LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) SCOPI Social Media: Linkedin: Sustainable Coffee Platform of Indonesia (SCOPI) Instagram: @ scopi_id Website: About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC): The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is the trade finance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socio-economic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$83 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries' needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market. About the Sustainable Coffee Platform of Indonesia (SCOPI): The Sustainable Coffee Platform of Indonesia (SCOPI) is a leading organization dedicated to promoting sustainable coffee production and improving the livelihoods of coffee farmers. SCOPI is a platform for collaboration among key stakeholders in the Indonesian coffee industry, working towards a shared vision of a thriving and sustainable coffee sector.
Bloomberg
26-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Thai Cannabis Industry Thrown Into Chaos as Government Aims to Recriminalize Weed
Three years after becoming the first Asian nation to decriminalize cannabis, Thailand is poised to reverse course amid political turmoil and now requires a prescription to buy cannabis at any of the 10,000 dispensaries that have sprung up since 2022. The new rules have thrown the fledgling industry into chaos and sparked criticism from pro-cannabis activists, who championed liberalization as a way to boost Thailand's wellness and tourism sectors. Dispensaries must now sell only cannabis produced by farms that have obtained the 'Good Agricultural and Collection Practices' certifications issued by the government, and amounts are capped at a 30-day supply per customer.
Mint
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
After Punjab, Haryana may ban harmful pesticides, help Indian Basmati rice clear strict overseas standards
New Delhi: Haryana is gearing up to ban hazardous pesticides in Basmati rice in an attempt to make it easier to export the grain to developed and other markets with high food safety standards. Neighbouring Punjab—like Haryana a major agricultural state—has already enforced such a ban in order to meet what is known as the International Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). These two states account for nearly 70%-75% of India's basmati exports of 6 mllion tonnes (in FY25). MRL is the highest concentration of a pesticide or veterinary drug residue legally allowed in food or animal feed, established to ensure food safety based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The Union government has also imposed a ban on four highly hazardous pesticides. Basmati rice exports from India have been facing repeated rejection by the European Union, US, Japan, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon, and UAE, owing to pesticide residues exceeding the prescribed MRLs of the importing country,according to Haryana Rice Exporters Association. This has led to a substantial loss of export business, reputational damage, and a decline in India's market share, much of which has shifted to competitors like Pakistan. The Haryana move seeks to replicate initiatives taken in Punjab. "We have banned the sale, distribution, and use of 11 insecticides on basmati rice crops for a 60-day period, starting 1 August to 30 September, to address concerns about pesticide residues exceeding permissible limits,' said a senior official in Punjab agriculture Department. The banned insecticides are Acephate, Buprofezin, Chlorpyriphos, Propiconazole, Thiamethoxam, Profenofos, Carbendazim, Tricyclazole, Tebuconazole, Carbofuran and Imidacloprid. The Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association reported that tests conducted by them previously had shown these pesticides at levels that were much above the MRL values for basmati. "So, our association requested for a ban on these agrochemicals to save the heritage basmati produce of Punjab, and to ensure hassle free export of basmati rice to other countries" said an exporter on the condition of anonymity. Taking a cue from Punjab, Haryana basmati exporters also approached the state government seeking a ban. "We have sought immediate intervention of the state government on prohibition on sale, stock, distribution and use of certain pesticides on basmati crop in Haryana to safeguard the integrity and global reputation of Basmati rice cultivated in the state," said Sushil Jain, President, Haryana Rice Exporters Association. According to exporters, despite continued efforts by exporters associations—through farmer awareness programmes and advisory dissemination—certain pesticides remained widely available and in use, undermining all efforts. "In light of the upcoming paddy cultivation season and the urgent need to protect the heritage, and export viability of basmati rice, we have appealed the state government to impose a prohibition for a period of at least 90 days (during the paddy crop season) 15 July on the sale, stock, distribution and use of the certain pesticides,' Jain added. The pesticides for which a ban has been sought are the same as in Punjab. A senior official in Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare ministry in Haryana said the final decision related to a ban will be taken in consultation with stakeholders and other relevant concerned officials. Exporters suggested that the prohibition should be strictly implemented at the field level, and that a monitoring and complaint mechanism should be established to prevent the illegal sale and use of these pesticides. "We believe that implementing a pesticide prohibition in Haryana, in line with this vision, will go a long way in promoting pesticide-compliant basmati rice and reviving India's lost standing in some foreign markets," said Vijay Setia, advisor, Haryana Rice Exporters Association.
