30 July 2024
Engaging African stakeholders in developing national interpretation guidelines for IFA version 6
Building on the momentum of our first quarterly NTWG discussion group, a dedicated event was held on 11 July 2024 for stakeholders in Africa. This collaborative effort, organized by GLOBALG.A.P. in partnership with COLEAD (COmmittee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development), aimed to empower African participants with the knowledge and tools to navigate the process of developing national interpretation guidelines (NIGs) for version 6 of the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard.
Engaging African stakeholders in developing national interpretation guidelines for IFA version 6
Building on the momentum of our first quarterly NTWG discussion group, a dedicated event was held on 11 July 2024 for stakeholders in Africa. This collaborative effort, organized by GLOBALG.A.P. in partnership with COLEAD (Committee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development), aimed to empower African participants with the knowledge and tools to navigate the process of developing national interpretation guidelines (NIGs) for version 6 of the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard.
Bringing together eight African nations
The event brought together representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Uganda, and Namibia. This diverse group of stakeholders engaged in discussions centered around the crucial role that NIGs play in ensuring the smooth and effective implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards at the local level.
A key focus of the event was to equip participants with a thorough understanding of the process involved in developing NIGs for IFA version 6. This included clear explanations of the standard's principles and criteria, along with practical guidance on interpreting them within the specific African context. To ensure participants gained valuable insights, Brian Windsor, a senior technical expert from GLOBALG.A.P. was present to share his knowledge and answer any questions that arose.
The importance of collaboration: Partnering with COLEAD
The partnership with COLEAD proved instrumental in bringing together a strong contingent of African stakeholders. This private sector, not-for-profit organization serves as a network for companies, professional organizations, and experts dedicated to fostering inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices.
COLEAD's extensive experience in designing and managing development programs, particularly those focused on technical assistance, vocational training, and market insights, positions them ideally to support African stakeholders throughout the NIG development process. Their expertise in monitoring regulations and standards will be invaluable in ensuring the NIGs for IFA version 6 are compliant with regional requirements.
Looking ahead: Empowering agriculture in Africa
By equipping African stakeholders with the knowledge and resources needed to develop effective interpretation guidelines for the contexts of their unique countries, this NTWG event represents a significant step forward for GLOBALG.A.P. in Africa. Strong NIGs pave the way for a smoother transition to IFA version 6, ultimately benefiting producers, suppliers, and global supply chains.
This collaborative approach, championed by the NTWG discussion group and exemplified by the partnership with COLEAD, demonstrates GLOBALG.A.P.'s commitment to working alongside stakeholders to ensure the continued growth and success of sustainable agricultural practices across Africa.
Join the discussion
Are you interested in getting involved with your national NTWG or starting one in your region? NTWGs play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards at the local level.
To learn more about NTWGs, how to participate, or set one up in your country, please visit the NTWG page on our website https://www.globalgap.org/about/ntwgs/.
Contact: Ari Moghimi, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, moghimi@globalgap.org.
