USAID top executive visits Shwapno’s farms

USAID Deputy Mission Director Randy Ali recently paid a courtesy visit to the GLOBALG. AP recognized vegetable farms in Jashore.

ACI Logistics (Shwapno) Executive Director Sabbir Hasan Nasir was also present at this event along with the Business Director Sohel Tanvir Khan and the Head of Business (Protein & Perishables) Md Mahadi Faisal, says a statement.

SHWAPNO is the first retailer in Southeast Asia to acquire a GLOBALG.A.P. membership. In 2018, the retailer started working with the farmers from Haribatpur union, Jashore, to produce vegetables following the G.A.P. regulations, where special attention is paid to global best agricultural practices, ensuring that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored reducing risks of microbial food safety hazards and in the safest methods possible.

Shwapno also launched its private label under the brand name ‘Shuddho’ to sell better and safer quality fruits and vegetables. After completing training, development and testing programs, 50 farmers and seven crop variants produced by these farmers under the brand received the GLOBALG.A.P. Certification.

Addressing this initiative, Sabbir Hasan Nasir said, “Shwapno is a bridge between the buyers and the farmers. We believe that capacity building, especially in our grower communities, having access to the knowledge of best agricultural practices is crucial in ensuring a transparent, safe food value chain.”

“We started our work with Global GAP in 2017. In this project, the pre-harvest interval is maintained to ensure that the pesticides used on crops do not leave behind residues. GLOBALGAP principles & checklists are followed to assure safer food production and consumption,” he said.