Zamorano’s Seedling Propagation and Production unit was certified by a U.S. company, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), an achievement that further vouches for the quality of its products. This unit is one of the first seedling production greenhouses in Honduras to receive this certification.
The certification was granted in December 2011 after a four-year process of continuous improvement, involving both the unit’s staff and the students. The certification will ensure that Zamorano students learn the rules and parameters required to produce seedlings with high quality standards. Through this achievement, Zamorano has once again demonstrated the constant pursuit of excellence that has characterized it throughout its 70 year history.
Ms. Cynthia Martínez, Technical Head of the Seedling Propagation and Production unit said noted that SCS had conducted an audit of the unit, which scored 95%. “We chose to be certified in USA-GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), which allows domestic producers to obtain quality seedlings certified for export to U.S. markets. Zamorano’s certified greenhouse will give producers access to the full certification process. This provides us with a competitive advantage over other seedling production greenhouses in Honduras,” said Ms. Martínez.
This Good Agricultural Practices certification involves norms and technical recommendations for cleaner, more organized and higher quality production in order to achieve the standards required by producers and consumers. The certification also guarantees a reduction of physical, chemical and biological risks to crop production and harvesting, as well as the protection of the unit’s employees and the environment. The certification process required a significant commitment and effort by the unit’s staff, in addition to infrastructure improvements.
Ms. Martínez explained that the Seedling Propagation and Production unit is a service unit, which produces seedlings of vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon and lettuce), fruit plants, grafted fruit plants, both indoor and outdoor ornamental plants and potted plants, as well as potted aromatic herbs. The unit’s two greenhouses are capable of producing 500 thousand seedlings during each production cycle. 80% of production is for external customers who provide the seeds to the unit, which produces quality seedling ready for transplanting. “As a result of this process, we have educated producers, teaching them about the importance of seed quality,” said Mr. Martínez.
