An Outline of G.A.P.
The Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are practices implemented to produce a quality crop while protecting, sustaining or enhancing the environment with regards to: soil, water, air, animal and plant life. A GAP program must ensure economic viability of the farmer and a safe working environment of those directly involved in the production of the crop.
		Mission & Values
		Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company (LLTC) initiated the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) programme in 1999 and has since provided numerous benefits for both the Company and the farmers involved. As part of achieving our goals which are to be successful, respected, and socially responsible, and in addition to ensuring quality and integrity of the produced crop, the Company has various schemes to promote safety, well-being and financial security of those involved in the production and handling of tobacco. All LLTC projects promote the achievement of high yields and quality through acceptable agronomic techniques and management. The major objective is to ensure minimum impact on the product and the environment. LLTC provides training and technical support to its partners.
		Variety Integrity
Limbe Leaf operational areas where G.A.P. is put into practice
		Variety selection is the foundation for a successful crop in terms of farmer yields and leaf quality. The GAP project checked sources of seeds, ensuring they are legitimate and have been evaluated and accepted subjectively, in compliance with national and international regulatory programmes. In addition to this, the use of genetically modified tobaccos (GMTs) is closely monitored. [read more on this topic] To ensure complete compliance, LLTC facilitates access to certified seed by importing about 15 kilograms each year of Flue cured tobacco seed for selling to its contracted farmers, buys locally from not less than 20 kilograms of ARET Certified NDDF Seed and more than 60 kilograms of burley seed that is issued free to its contracted. The amount of seed LLTC supplies to its contracted growers suffices to fulfil on average 25, 000 metric tons of contracted tobacco requirement.
		Crop Management
		Crop management is the implementation of acceptable agronomic practices from planning to post-harvest to achieve the production of the type and style of tobacco leaf required for each country. This includes the correct use of chemicals and fertilisers to ensure proper crop integrity.
		Integrated Pest Management
		Integrated Pest Management (IPM) constitutes a variety of techniques applied to avoid or suppress pest and disease infections. These programmes promote the use of non-pestice control strategies such as resistant varieties, cultural practices, natural pesticides, beneficial insects. LLTC distributes to farmers under direct contract a pack (the Nyonga Tobacco Pack) which contains the necessary crop protection agents with the lowest content of active substance and with the lowest possible level of toxicity.
		Crop Protection Agents (CPA) Management
		This programme focusses on the minimal use of agrochemicals to ensure at the same time minimal pest damage to crops and safety to the user and the environment. To limit damage to crops which affects yield or quality, CPA Management ensures appropriate CPAs are correctly applied only when necessary and carried out by trained and protected personnel wearing protective equipment.
		Sustainability
		Sustainability means that tobacco is grown and harvested by methods that pose the least impact on the environment, which also allows for improved farmers' future livelihoods. This includes development of strategies that promote use of recyclable and reusable materials to minimise waste. These may include reforestation of woodlands, use of alternative fuels and protection of physical environment to ensure land sustainability.
		Product Integrity
		Product integrity involves the preservation and maintenance of the identity of tobacco variety and therefore requires proper curing, handling, documentation, and maintenance of the tobacco crop from seed to delivery at the processing facility. This ensures the integrity of the tobacco crop in that Tobacco Specific Nitrosamine (TSNAs) are minimised and moisture levels are kept at a normal level. These practices also ensure the reduction of non-tobacco related materials (NTRMs) in the tobacco crop.
		Safety
Safety is an integral part of GAP. This involves the identification of risks and proper training of farmers to avoid exposure to hazards when handling machinery, chemicals and storing the crop. [read more on this topic]
			© 2010 Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Kanengo, Lilongwe, Malawi