A three-day seminar entitled “Seminar on Good Agricultural Practice and Proper Use of Chemicals on Fresh Okra for the Global Market” was successfully conducted last June 25–27, 2025, at the Department of Agriculture—Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (D.A. CLIARC) in Tarlac to strengthen the competitiveness of the Philippine okra industry in the global market. 232 okra farmers attended the seminar.
The seminar, which had the theme “Sustainable Growth of the Okra Industry Through Close Cooperation Among All Stakeholders,” aimed to raise awareness and enhance the capacity of stakeholders regarding food safety standards, proper farm chemical usage, and compliance with international market requirements, particularly for fresh okra export.
The Philippine Okra Producers and Exporters Association (POPEA) organized the event in close partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) and the Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Service Region 3 (BPI-PQS Pampanga).
The seminar gathered key stakeholders of the okra value chain including okra exporters (Jelfarm Fresh Produce Enterprise, Hi-las Marketing Corporation, Greenstar Produce Philippines Inc.), okra farmers, and technicians, fostering collaboration and learning among participants from different sectors. Highly esteemed resource speakers from various government agencies shared their technical expertise and insights throughout the sessions. These included representatives from BPI-CRPSD, BPI-CPMD, FPA, BPI-PPSSD, BPI-PQS Pampanga, and the Department of Agriculture – Region 3.
Topics discussed included Okra Production Guide, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), proper and safe use of pesticides, pest and disease management, okra export requirements, and quarantine regulations. To ensure the production of high-quality and safe fresh okra for international markets such as Japan and Korea.
The seminar ended with a strong commitment from everyone to support the sustainable production of okra and to follow the right standards to help the industry grow. The teamwork between government agencies, private groups, and farmers showed how working together can help the Philippine okra industry succeed in the global market while also protecting the environment and keeping food safe for consumers.