This sector, the agri-food industry, is tremendously competitive and demanding.
And that’s fine, because food quality and safety are fundamental, as well as the environment in which it is grown. At Peris we understand that excellence is not a marketing slogan, or even a specific objective.
That our products are synonymous with high quality and safety is a commitment fully integrated into our processes. That is why we have had GlobalG.A.P. certification for 15 years, which we renew annually after passing numerous checks by external certifiers.
This has recently happened again.
And there, in the repetition of things well done, is where for us lies the great value of having a certification such as GlobalG.A.P. Because obtaining it is not easy, but neither is maintaining it.
In the constancy is where the main value of committed companies shines, at least from our point of view.
But let’s take it one step at a time.
What is GlobalG.A.P. Certification?
GlobalG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices) is an internationally recognized certification that ensures good agricultural practices in the production of fruits and vegetables. This certification covers various aspects, including traceability, efficient use of natural resources, worker health and safety, and environmental protection.
Benefits of GlobalG.A.P. certification.
Obtaining GlobalG.A.P. certification offers multiple benefits for both producers and consumers.
For producers and marketers, it guarantees entry into international markets and offers greater confidence to customers.
On the other hand, it provides consumers with the peace of mind that the products they buy will be safe and sound. products they purchase are safe and of high quality.
These are the areas that are scrutinized when you have a GlobalG.A.P. certificate.
The process to obtain and maintain this certification involves an exhaustive evaluation of our agricultural practices, from planting to harvest, ensuring that each stage (and there are many!) meets the highest quality and safety criteria.
Sustainable crop irrigation plan
Water consumption is a criterion that is analyzed in detail in our crops.
Fruit plantations such as melon and watermelon need good irrigation for their growth, but this does not mean that we do not have to be efficient.
Our crops are drip irrigated, taking into account various parameters, such as the water needed by each plant, rainfall, evapotranspiration volume, the moment in which the crop is growing… Everything adds up to make sustainable decisions that allow us to get the most out of every drop of water.
In addition, we check the entire network of drip pipes, valves and heads to detect and resolve any incident.
Integrated pest management and soil management
Weather is an uncontrollable element that spoils many crops, but it is not the only one.
Crop diseases and pests also make their appearance and must be combated with techniques and products that minimize the risks to the environment and human health.
Therefore, phytosanitary products are the last option, there are other more sustainable techniques that allow to heal crops in a more respectful way: with beneficial insects, cover crops, healthy soils, crop rotation…
Choice of more resilient seeds
Fruit and vegetable varieties also determine crop requirements.
Some varieties require more water or are more sensitive to high temperatures, to give two examples.
Choosing seeds of varieties suitable for our growing area is an intelligent and responsible decision.
In our case, assuming that the product has to be of high quality, we chose varieties that are resilient to the context of climate change that requires controlled irrigation and greater resistance to pests and diseases.
Team training in hygiene, health and safety
Absolutely all team members, both in the field and in the production plant, must be trained in relevant aspects such as hygiene, health and safety at work.
In terms of hygiene, training is aimed at ensuring that workers carry out good practices to reduce the hygiene risks associated with the product when it is grown, harvested and handled.
To this end, at Peris we train our teams so that they understand and have the necessary competence to carry out their tasks.
Of course, we also provide them with the appropriate equipment to work safely.
And if an accident should occur, we have protocols in place so that they can receive assistance in a timely manner.
In personnel matters, we rely on GlobalG.A.P.’s GRASP module, which evaluates social and labor practices in the company.
Control of waste generated in agricultural and industrial activity
Everything we generate with our activity (organic waste, paper, cardboard, wood, plastic…) also requires control for proper management. In the field, we manage the containers of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, etc. through SIGFITO, which provides us with a collection system and then converts these containers into pipes for irrigation, planters and road cones, saving CO2 in the recycling process. Once in the production plant, the organic waste from the fresh-cut process has several outlets. Some of them go to a local livestock farm, and many are diverted to other industries to be used as ingredients for other foods, as is the case with melon and pumpkin seeds, which have great potential. In this line, we also work with different universities and research centers , providing by-products that we do not use but that in their hands take on a new life. We are also concerned with the management of cardboard and plastic and their management is part of our daily activity.
GlobalG.A.P., guarantee of quality and good practices
In short, obtaining GlobalG.A.P. certification is an important milestone, but given the requirements, maintaining it over time is crucial and not easy. It requires an annual review of our practices and constant audits by external inspectors. The GlobalG.A.P. certification guarantees that our melons, watermelons, pumpkins, among many other products we work with, are not only excellent in taste and preserve their organoleptic properties, but also that they are safe for consumption and come from sustainable and responsible cultivation. After all that we have told you, you will have gotten an idea that GlobalG.A.P. certification is a highly valuable standard in the agri-food sector. So you can be sure that at Peris we will continue to work hard to renew these certifications and continue to be a benchmark in the agri-food sector, always with the aim of offering the best to our customers.