Global GAP certified

Something that Davao City must be proud of: The Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation (Davco) which got another certification from the  high standards of the Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP).  Davco officials admitted that it was not easy to get such accreditation because the requirements are very stiff. But it’s worth the effort.

Davao-based agri firm gets GGAP recertification

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/29 March) – For the fourth consecutive year, Davao Agricultural Ventures Corporation (Davco) has been certified as compliant with the high standards of the Global Good Agricultural Practices (GGAP).

GGAP or Global GAP is a private sector group that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe.

Davco has passed the recertification audit conducted by Latu Systemas Quality Austria (LSQA), the certifying body that sets the operational standards for agricultural practices to ensure product safety in different parts of the world.

But Elianora Lasay, Davco’s senior manager for operations, said the certification process was not easy as the company invested so much in its equipment, facilities and human resources to be able to comply with the stiff requirements.

With the recertification, Lasay added that it has contributed to the efficiency of the operations of the company.

“Although as a company, we already have our own policies in our day to day operations, GGAP has made us more efficient,” she said in an interview, adding that Davco was the first company in Asia to be accredited by GGAP.
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Philippine Eagle retrieved in Zamboanga

DAVAO CITY­—An adult Philippine Eagle was retrieved at Pasonanca watershed in Zamboanga City last week for assessment and further rehabilitation at the Philippine Eagle Center in barangay Malagos, Baguio District, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) said on Wednesday.

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) lost digits one and two on its right claw while it was still in the wild, Edison Dayos, PEF senior animal keeper, told reporters upon their arrival at Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Sasa. Read More »

Davao entrepreneur pushes ‘farm tourism’ as way of life

DAVAO CITY—A local producer of dairy products and livestock is pushing for “agriculture tourism,” saying that the region has many agricultural potentials waiting to be tapped.

Agri-entrepreneur and veterinarian Roberto “Dr. Bo” Puentespina told the BusinessMirror that he and the family-owned Malagos Garden Resort is now pushing for “agriculture tourism” not just as a source of income, but as a weekend lifestyle. Read More »