On 31 October 2025, the GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR made its way to India, bringing together key voices from across the agricultural sector for a full day of dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi. Co-hosted by Synergy Technofin, the event welcomed over 100 participants from across India’s agricultural value chain, including producers, exporters, retailers, certification bodies, development partners, and government representatives.
India’s agricultural sector is among the largest in the world, spanning 328 million hectares. Around 70% of rural households rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, and small or marginal farmers make up 82% of all producers. The country’s agricultural exports accounted for over 10% of total export value in 2020–2021, reaching approximately USD 20.67 billion.
Over the last two years, GLOBALG.A.P. certification has expanded rapidly in India. The number of certified producers has increased by 15% since 2023, and the size of certified hectares has grown by 53%, making India the fastest-growing market worldwide in both categories. TOUR stop India provided an opportunity to explore this momentum and engage directly with stakeholders shaping the future of good agricultural practices in the region.
Exploring priority topics for India’s agricultural sector
The program featured an engaging mix of presentations, panels, and interactive exchanges focused on certification, producer support, and practical implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards in India. Key sessions included:
- The GLOBALG.A.P. ecosystem of solutions and position in India – Iain Lucey, Partnerships Project Developer, Agraya
- Panel discussion: National and International perspectives on agricultural certification in India
- Comparative landscape of GLOBALG.A.P. certification in India
- Field certification: Perspectives from surveyors in the field
- Implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards: On-the-ground experiences
- Exploring emerging financial models and institutional structures supporting smallholder farmers – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
- Developing the Indian agricultural export market – The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Reflecting on the content of the program, Iain Lucey, Partnerships Project Developer, Agraya, said: “This event underscored the importance of good agricultural practices and the role certification can play in strengthening India’s position in global markets. It also highlighted the dynamic and innovative policies of the Indian agricultural sector as it works to support producers and respond to emerging challenges.”
Stakeholders across the sector discussed the importance of multi-lateral cooperation, particularly the need for public and private actors to work together to support smallholders. Reeba Abraham of APEDA highlighted ongoing government initiatives aimed at strengthening smallholder participation in global trade and supporting their progression toward export readiness.
Discussions also addressed the financial gap that often stands between smallholders and certification. Sashi Kumar of GIZ India presented several emerging financial models that aim to improve access to international finance and make certification more attainable for smaller producers.
Beyond the formal program, TOUR stop India emphasized direct exchange, enabling participants to ask questions, compare experiences, and explore solutions tailored to the Indian context.
Why TOUR stops matter
Angelo Lazo, Lead Business Development at Agraya, commented on the importance of TOUR stops: “What makes TOUR stops valuable is the direct exchange. When producers, auditors, buyers, and technical experts sit together, challenges become clearer and solutions more realistic. It helps us build a shared understanding of what good agricultural practices look like in practice.
Each TOUR stop reflects the needs of the region. By listening to local experiences and understanding the conditions on the ground, we can better support producers and ensure the tools we provide are truly useful in their day-to-day work.”
Related links:
- Learn more about GLOBALG.A.P. TOUR stops
- For more information on the events we are participating in, visit our events page
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