In promoting safe food production of fruits and vegetables, over 500 farmers have applied to enroll in the Ghana Green Label Certification Scheme, the Board Chairman of Ghana Green Label Foundation, Samuel Nii Quarcoo has revealed.
The Scheme seeks to promote safe food production, postharvest handling and distribution using good and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
In an interview at the launch of the Green Label Traceability System, Quarcoo indicated that from January 2019 consumers should be able to buy fruits and vegetables which are Green Label certified from retail shops.
Under the scheme, farmers, transporters and traders (wholesale and retail) subscribing to this Scheme must implement Ghana Green Label Standard in the all activities relating to food production.
The Foundation is set to undertake auditing of farms that have applied using based on the laid-down standards, among other requirements.
Traceability System
To ensure the safety of food produce to the final consumer, the Scheme has launched the Green Label Traceability System that would serve as a tool in tracing food produced under the system. This will also serve as a data collection tool, for further policy decisions.
Certification
The certification scheme is modelled to certify farms that comply with the requisite production and distribution systems that ensure that safety and environmental sustainability are not compromised until produce get to the final consumer.
It is envisaged that the implementation of this scheme should facilitate the eventual transition of the Ghanaian horticultural industry towards sustainable agriculture.
While currently the Scheme targets the domestic market, it is expected to serve as an entry point for local farmers to access the international market.
By Joshua W. Amlanu