Looking back at the 2024 GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR Stop in Paarl, South Africa

Looking back at the GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR Stop in Paarl, South Africa, 2024

The latest GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR stop, held 16–17 April, welcomed 128 participants to explore the theme of "Embracing responsible solutions”. The event leaves behind a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and a renewed commitment to cultivating a safer and more sustainable agricultural landscape, not just in South Africa but across the globe.

Setting the scene

From 16 to 17 April 2024, the town of Paarl, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, played host to the latest TOUR stop event, welcoming 128 participants from across the local area as well as wider value chain stakeholders.

GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR stops are collaborative gatherings that serve as forums for advocating safer and more sustainable farming worldwide. Participants use the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, share expertise, expand trade networks, and address pressing industry trends and challenges.

For GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH Managing Director Elmé Coetzer-Boersma, this was a particularly special occasion. "Being able to participate in this event in South Africa, my home country, is deeply personal for me. It's not just about fostering more sustainable practices; it's about nurturing a community dedicated to safeguarding our agricultural future,” she remarked. “I was delighted to see so many different stakeholders participate and I believe it was a truly positive experience for all.

Highlights in Paarl

The tightly packed schedule welcomed a lineup of 17 speakers offering insights on a range of different topics. From “understanding micro and macro changes in climate to ensure sustainable agricultural practices” to “fishing for the future” and “leading the way for economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable farming in South Africa” there was much to discuss.

One of the highlights was a thought-provoking panel discussion on "responsible farming for the smallholder sector," featuring contributions from delegates of the Namibian Agronomic Board, international retailer Spar, and certification body NSF. This session provided a platform to explore the unique challenges faced by smallholder farmers and brainstorm innovative solutions.

Theory in practice

The event also included a visit to one of four local farms, offering participants a firsthand glimpse into the daily operations of South Africa's producers. This immersive experience provided valuable insights into the practical application of responsible farming methods.

Throughout the event, representatives from GLOBALG.A.P., Registered Trainers, certification bodies, retailers, and producers came together to share their expertise and insights. They shed light on the challenges encountered in local and international business endeavors, such as overconsumption of resourses, and discussed the transformative potential of GLOBALG.A.P. certification in enhancing food safety, sustainability, and market access.

TOUR stop legacy

The GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR stop in Paarl proved to be an invaluable platform for participants to deepen their understanding of local and regional challenges, embrace responsible solutions, forge meaningful connections, and pave the way for a more sustainable future in agriculture.

As Jackie Tucker, Director of our host organization Keystone Collection, notes, “It was evident that the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system is most certainly a Keystone for the South African agricultural industry.”

“By offering sustainable solutions for certification, farm assurance and internationally recognized standards to producers and retailers in our country,” she goes on to say, “they align all role players to the commitment we all make in the drive towards embracing responsible farming and knowledge sharing/education. The intensive collaboration at the event showcased the opportunity that exists to build a very successful ecosystem of good agricultural practices.”

As the sun set on our time in Paarl, it left behind a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and a renewed commitment to cultivating a safer and more sustainable agricultural landscape, not just in South Africa but across the globe.

Many thanks to our partners, sponsors, and host farms

We extend a special thank you to our host partner, the Keystone Collection, for enabling this event as well as the following sponsors:

• Diamond sponsor: SGS

• Gold sponsors: NSF, Villa Crop Protection

• Silver sponsors: ACT- African Certification and Testing, Partner Africa, FarmTrace, Control Union, Progress Excellence Training and Development

• Bronze sponsors: AECI Plant Health, Skyvines, Capespan, SPAR South Africa, Entecom Food Safety, Woolworths

If you’re interested in becoming a host partner for a GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR stop, please contact event@globalgap.org.

We also thank our host farms, who welcomed us on site for the farm visits:

• Brockenhurst Farms, GGN 4063651729658

• Microp

• Horti Demo Centre (Stellenbosch University)

• Buffet Olives

Thank you to all those who joined us in Paarl, we look forward to meeting you again at one of our upcoming events:

• 13 May to 25 June (various dates) – New IFA v6 webinar series

• 15 May 2024 – Virtual panel discussion in celebration of UN International Day of Biological Diversity

• 10 to 12 September – GLOBALG.A.P. SUMMIT 2024