Good agricultural practices are specific methods when applied to agriculture, create food for consumers or further processing that is safe and wholesome.  A farmer performs following eight major steps from crop selection to harvesting –

• Crop selection
• Land preparation
• Seed selection
• Seed sowing
• Irrigation
• Crop growth
• Fertilizing
• Harvesting

Good agronomic practices are the application of all these eight steps incorporated into farm management systems to improve soil quality, enhance water use, manage crop residues and improve the environment through better fertilizer management.

(More more info :https://diragri.assam.gov.in/portlets/good-agricultural-practices-gaps)

Growers need to produce a high-quality product efficiently to remain competitive; however, soil and water resources must also be preserved. Healthy, productive plants require healthy soil and clean water.

Soil and Water Management

Intensive vegetable production, whether for processing or fresh market, returns little organic matter to the soil. Tillage used to prepare the seedbed increases the loss of organic matter. To maintain or increase organic matter levels.

Soil Compaction

Soil compaction is a growing concern for vegetable producers. Increased mechanization has led to larger and heavier equipment to ensure planting and harvesting are handled on time. Seedbed preparation and harvest operations under wet soil conditions are the major causes of soil compaction.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a best management practice for vegetable growers. It will address loss of organic matter, disease, weed and insect pressures, soil nutrition, compaction and erosion. Two rules of thumb: i. The longer the rotation, the better. ii. Rotate between different families of crops.

Wind and Water Erosion

Level sandy soils are at the highest risk of wind erosion while hilly fields are also subject to water erosion. Windbreaks, grassed waterways and other structures address problems in the long-term.

Irrigation

Average rainfall is irregular and sometimes is inadequate for vegetables. Irrigation can be profitable with high-value vegetable crops

Plasticulture

This practice combines plastic mulches with row covers and drip irrigation. The practice is costly and is only practical with fresh market vegetables.

( For more info : http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/gap_gmp_glp/gap_horti.html)

Best management practices for orchards include attention to: site preparation, soil management, water management including irrigation and drainage, nutrient management and pest management. Growers can adjust each component to maximize profits while protecting the environment.

Orchard Site Preparation

When planning a new orchard, select and prepare an appropriate site at least one to three years in advance.

Fumigation

Applying fumigants is usually done with a three-point hitch cultivator which places fumigants in a shallow band 1.75 m wide and 15 cm deep.

Tree Density

Deciding how wide the tree rows should be and how far apart trees should be planted will affect productivity, nutrient management, pest management and water requirements.

Soil Management

Good soil management in orchards should promote tree growth and good health.

Cultivation/Cover Crops

Soil is worked in April and cultivated regularly until early June.  The cover crop most widely used is annual ryegrass.

Sod Systems

Producers grow permanent sod between tree rows and mow sod for the life of the orchard.

Herbicide Strips

The objective of herbicide strip is weed suppression during the critical growth stage from early spring to midsummer.

Soil Compaction

The constant movement of equipment between tree rows may compact soil and result in poor drainage. Sub-soiling or mechanical aerators open up soil.

(For more info: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/gap_gmp_glp/gap_horti.html)

Considering the importance of GAP, fruits and vegetable farmers should adopt it and minimize the risk of contamination, right from pre-planting stage of crop to post-harvest stage of the crop.  Some of the major risk and minimizing measures are highlighted below:

PRE-PLANTING MEASURES

Site selection

Land or site for fruits and vegetable production should be selected on the basis of land history, previous manure applications and crop rotation.

Manure handling and field application

Livestock manure can be a valuable source of nutrients, but it also can be a source of human pathogens if not managed correctly.

Manure storage and sourcing

Manure should be stored as far away as practical from areas where fresh produce is grown and handled.

Timely application of manure

Manure should be applied at the end of the season to all planned vegetable ground or fruit acreage, preferably when soils are warm, non-saturated, and cover-cropped.

Selection of appropriate crop

Farmers should avoid growing root and leafy crops in the year that manure is applied to a field.

PRODUCTION MEASURES

Irrigation water quality

Ideally, water used for irrigation or chemical spray should be free from pathogen.  However, potable water or municipal water is not feasible for extensive use for crop production.

Irrigation methods

Drip irrigation method should be used, whenever possible to reduce the risk of crop contamination because the edible parts of most crops are not wetted directly.

Field sanitation and animal exclusion

Farmers should stay out of wet fields to reduce the spread of plant or human pathogens.  Tractors that were used in manure handling should be cleaned prior to entering produce fields.

Worker facilities and hygiene

Ideally, farm workers should be provided clean, well-maintained and hygienic toilet facilities around the farming areas.

HARVEST

Clean harvest aids

Bins and all crop containers have to washed and rinsed under high pressure.  All crop containers should be sanitized before harvest

Worker hygiene and training

Good personal hygiene is particularly important during the harvest of crops.  Sick employees or those with contaminated hands can spread pathogens to produce.

POST-HARVEST HANDLING

Worker hygiene:  

Hands can contaminate fresh fruits and vegetables with harmful microbes.  Packing area should be cleaned and sanitized.

Monitor wash water quality  

Potable water should be preferably used in all washing operations.  Clean water should be maintained in dump tank by sanitizing and changing water regularly.  Use chlorinated water and other labeled disinfectants to wash fresh produce.

Sanitize packinghouse and packing operations  

Loading, staging, and all food contact surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized at the end of each day

Pre-cooling and cold storage

After harvesting, fruits and vegetables should be quickly cooled to minimize the growth of pathogens and maintain good quality.  Water bath temperature for cooling should not be more than 10F cooler than the produce pulp temperature.

Transportation of produce from farm to market  

Proper cleanliness of the transportation vehicles should be ensured before loading.  Farmers have to make sure that fresh fruits and vegetables are not shipped in trucks which have carried live animals or harmful substances.

(For more info: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/gap_gmp_glp/gap_horti.html)

Principles and practices that will help minimize contamination, reduce survival of pathogens and prevent cross-contamination.

Know where the risks are:

Irrigation

Like all crops, leafy greens require water either via rain events or through irrigation. If it's time to irrigate, know the quality of your water source.

Fertilizer

All horticultural crops require nitrogen and other nutrients to grow. Growers can provide nitrogen to their crops through synthetic fertilizers, manure or manure-based composts.

Worker Sanitation

Ensure that all staff is educated on the importance and need for good hygiene. Washing of hands is an effective way to minimize worker-based contamination.

Harvest and Packing

Many leafy greens are harvested and packed in the field. However, some do receive further processing including washing and individual packaging.

Transportation

Unfortunately, the risk of contamination doesn't end when the produce leaves the grower's premises. The risk of microbial pathogens and reduced quality can increase during transportation if proper temperatures are not maintained.

(For more info: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/gap_gmp_glp/gap_horti.html)