The Next Strategy in the Adaptation of GAP for SME Farmers in Asia and the Pacific

Innovation technology is seen as the driver of the food production sector and the panacea
of the food constraints that we now anticipate with productivity, quality of food, and food
insecurity. Riding the development path into the next 25 years, we see two inevitable
checks: one, climate change; and two, inequitable production capacity (as a result of the
climate change). The food production models and public policy that we currently work with,
must change to say the least. This is because in the near future, we will work in an
environment of unpredictable weather, where consumption demand will exceed supply and
where authorities cannot afford to support the marginal farmers financially.
GAP is currently a farm practice compliance requirement. The take-on of GAP farm adoption
is not attractive to the farmers. The presenter predicts that the guiding principles of GAP will
continue to hold true, and in more pertinent degree. Future farmers will have to work under
extreme dire environmental condition where the sustainability of the farm depends on how
far the farmers can protect and control further degradation of the farm physical and
biological production state.
These farmers must embrace the available technology, they must be given the tools to
analyze the information, and which could assist them to make effective farm production
decisions. The approach of inclusiveness of the farmers and building the adaptive capacity
of farmers is central if farm GAP assistance programs are to remain effective and relevant.

Kit Chan
16th June 2016
Kuala Lumpur