An Evaluation Of The Adoption Of Good Agricultural Practices And Food Safety Practices Among Small-Scale Cape Gooseberry (Physalis Peruviana) Farmers In Boyaca, Colombia

Concerns over food safety have spurred an increase in farm production and supply chain management protocols for fresh produce. Foodborne illness outbreaks, increased consumer demand for safe food, and government requirements for due diligence have caused retailers to develop stringent protocols in the production and handling of fresh foods. These requirements, though known as private voluntary standards (PVS), are often essential to accessing global markets. In many developing countries, public and private sector stakeholders are investing in food safety compliance among small-scale farmers. One important voluntary standard for fresh fruits and vegetables is the Global Partnership for Good Agricultural Practices, GLOBALGAP (formerly EUREP-GAP). Within developing countries, compliance with private voluntary standards often presents formidable challenges as well as opportunities for the small-scale farmer. In Colombia, Physalis peruviana is a promising exotic fruit produced almost exclusively by small-scale farmers, and the farmers are engaging in different production strategies to meet market requirements. While known as „uchuva‟ in Colombia, it is commonly known as cape gooseberry or ground cherry in English-speaking countries. In Colombia it is produced primarily for export markets and has potential for expanding export revenues and helping to stimulate the rural economy. In order to strengthen their market competitiveness, some small-scale producers are working with public and private sector entities to improve their production and handling practices and to meet international market requirements for a clean and safe food supply. In this study, a survey was i administered to 27 small-scale cape gooseberry growers in the Márquez region of Boyacá, to evaluate their strategies of adoption good agricultural practices (GAP) and food safety practices. Results indicated that growers who worked within farmer groups and were linked to farmer support institutions were able to successfully adopt formal GAP and food safety protocols, and improve their farm management and productivity. The results also indicated that the adoption of such practices, though requiring considerable capital investment, had beneficial effects on the farmer, farm workers, fruit quality and productivity. i