Wella L. Absulio, university researcher from the PHTRC, was one of only two Philippine representatives to the “Multicountry Observational Study Mission in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Advanced Posharvest Handling Technologies” held last June 10-14 in Tokyo, Japan. Eighteen participants from 11 countries attended the study mission which included lectures on GAP and its relevance to food safety, farm management, labor safety, environmental protection, and human rights and welfare. The group also visited GAP-certified fruit and vegetable farms in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. They likewise observed postharvest handling of cucumber, GAP-certified foods from farmers being served in a restaurant, and fresh food product display in a supermarket. The participants were also briefed on GAP challenges experienced by a prefectural government and GAP considerations in the procurement for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. The study mission, attended by delegates from government, industry, academe, and research institutions, was organized and sponsored by the Asian Productivity Organization. (MV Maunahan)
