Nagpur orange has obtained the Global Good Agricultural Practices CertificateHome

Nagpur orange will now be making it to the international market. Sant Gajanan Maharaj Santra Utpadak Sangh (SUS), comprising a group of 20 farmers from Warud taluka in Amravati district, has obtained the Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certificate (GGAPC), a mandatory requirement for exporting agriculture products, especially to European countries. It is the first licence given to any orange grower in Maharashtra.

The GGAPC certificate obtained from the Food Cert India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, has come to the SUS under state run Krishi Samrudhi Prakalap (KSP) with financial support from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT). The project is being implemented by the Tata Consultancy Services.

Ramesh Jichkar, a progressive orange grower from Warud taluka, technical adviser in the KSP programme told it took them an entire year to obtain the certificate. "This has opened new doors for the Vidarbha orange cultivators and will go a long way in motivating local farmers. It is really a pride for Vidarbhaites. Till now, only fruits grown in western Maharashtra like pomegranate, grapes and mango had GAP certificate. It is first step towards a big lead that awaits the orange growers," he said. The other two technical advisers for the KSP programme in Warud are Rahul Gudadhe and Rajesh Kale.

Ravindra Thakre, project director of KSP is all praise for the farmers from the five villages (Sourali, Chandas, Wathoda, Sawangi and Musalkheda) who he said really worked hard.

Manoj Jawanjal, secretary, Orange Producers Association from Katol, also said that "It will bring a new confidence to the orange growers of entire Vidarbha".

Source:- http:// timesofindia.indiatimes.com//