Are you a small-scale farmer looking for easier ways to certify your produce and access new markets?
GLOBALG.A.P. PFA (Primary Farm Assurance) — previously known and still often referred to as LocalG.A.P. — offers a simplified certification route tailored for small-scale primary producers. This entry-level farm standard focuses on essential safety and traceability practices without the complexity of full certification.
In South Africa, some retailers may also require compliance with this capacity-building tool, making it a key step toward securing local partnerships and retail opportunities. In this guide, we’ll explain what GLOBALG.A.P. PFA is, how it works, and the benefits it holds for small-scale primary producers.
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Introduction
Modern farming presents big challenges. Buyers and retailers expect clean, safe food grown responsibly. For small-scale farmers, especially in developing countries, these expectations can be very difficult to meet.
That’s where the GLOBALG.A.P. Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) programme comes in. This programme helps farmers improve their practices step by step and work toward trusted certification. In South Africa, many farmers already use the GLOBALG.A.P. PFA guidelines to grow safer food and open new market opportunities.
What Is the GLOALG.A.P. PFA Programme?
The GLOALG.A.P. PFA programme, previously known as LocalG.A.P., is a farming support system that helps smaller farms follow good agricultural practices. It’s designed to be practical and straightforward for farmers who are just starting out with food safety requirements.
The Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) programme is built on the foundation of the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard. While the PFA programme features a more concise set of requirements compared to the IFA Smart standard, it retains the same structure and focuses on similar key areas.
It is not a full certificate, but it helps farmers work towards one. Farmers who meet the requirements receive a Letter of Conformance and a PFA-N number (previously known as the LocalG.A.P. Number (LGN)). The Letter of Conformance is valid for one year and needs to be renewed yearly.
GLOBALG.A.P. PFA Programme Levels
The program has three levels:
- Entry Level: Basic hygiene and record-keeping (Download the ENTRY LEVEL resources here: Principles and criteria | Checklists
- Intermediate Level: More detailed standards and checks (Download the INTERMEDIATE LEVEL resources here: Principles and criteria | Checklists
- Advanced Level: Almost ready for full GLOBALG.A.P. certification (Download the ADVANCED LEVEL resources here: Principles and criteria | Checklists
Producers move through the levels as they learn more and improve their farming practices.
How the GLOBALG.A.P. PFA Programme Works
The programme helps producers grow better and safer food through the following five steps:
- Download the documents, depending on the level.
- Implement the requirements and do a self-assessment using the checklist for the relevant level.
- You contact a verification or certification body of your choice and request an assessment.
- The verification or certification body will conduct the assessment and enter the results into the GLOBALG.A.P. IT system. If any problems are found, the farmer must fix them within the allowed time. After checking that everything has been corrected, the verification or certification body will issue the letter of conformance.
- After you meet all the PFA requirements and the verification or certification body checks everything, they will issue your Letter of Conformance and a PFA-N number. Your assessment results will then be visible on the GLOBALG.A.P. system, so buyers and retailers can see that your farm complies.
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What Does GLOBALG.A.P. PFA Cover?
PFA helps farmers focus on key areas of good agricultural practices, including:
- Ensuring food safety
- Establishing robust traceability systems
- Proper application and management of fertilisers
- Effective water management practices
- Implementation of integrated pest management and responsible use of plant protection products
- Conducting harvest and basic post-harvest activities
- Maintaining hygiene standards
- Protecting workers’ health, safety, and welfare
- Managing waste and pollution through recycling and reuse initiatives
- Setting up a complaints procedure along with recall and withdrawal processes
- Keeping accurate and up-to-date internal documentation
The BenefitS of PFA for Producers
The GLOBALG.A.P. Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) programme offers several key features designed to support small-scale and emerging farmers in improving their agricultural practices. These features include:
- Simplified Entry Requirements: The PFA programme has fewer and more accessible requirements compared to the full GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard, making it a practical starting point for farmers.
- Three-Tiered Approach: Farmers can progress through three levels—Entry, Intermediate, and Advanced—each introducing more stringent requirements to build capacity gradually.
- Focus on Core Agricultural Practices: The programme emphasises essential topics such as food safety, traceability, water management, fertiliser application, pest management, and worker welfare.
- Capacity Building: It is designed to help farmers enhance their knowledge and practices, preparing them for potential certification under the full GLOBALG.A.P. standard.
- Accessibility for Emerging Markets: The program is tailored to the needs of farmers in developing economies and those supplying local or regional markets.
- Alignment with GLOBALG.A.P. Standards: While simplified, the PFA programme aligns closely with the structure and principles of the GLOBALG.A.P. IFA standard.
- Support for Sustainability: The program incorporates elements of sustainability, such as waste management, recycling, and responsible use of resources.
- Step-by-Step Progression: Farmers can advance at their own pace, ensuring they meet the necessary standards progressively.
- Improved Market Access: Farmers participating in the program, farmers can build trust with buyers and meet market demands for safe and sustainable products.
These features make the PFA program a valuable tool for farmers seeking to improve their operations and align with international agricultural standards.
Why South African Retailers Like the PFA Programme
Retailers need trustworthy suppliers and safe products. PFA helps them achieve this:
- Safer farms mean fewer problems with food quality.
- PFA-N numbers help track where the food came from.
- Working with small farmers builds strong communities.
Conclusion
The GLOBALG.A.P. Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) programme is a powerful tool for small-scale producers. It helps improve food safety, protects the environment, while enhancing your chances of gaining access to retail markets in South Africa. Farmers don’t have to change everything overnight—they can take small steps, learn, and grow their farms confidently to meet compliance.
Comments
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