THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 3501-2015

GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR

GINGER

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

ICS 65.020.20 ISBN XXX-XXX-XXX-XXX-X

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 3501-2015

GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR

GINGER

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Telephone (662) 561 2277 Facsimile (662) 561 3357

www.acfs.go.th

Published in the Royal Gazette, Announcement and General Publication Vol. 132,

Special Section 92(ง) Ngo

Dated 23 April B.E. 2558 (2015)

(2)

Technical Committee on the Elaboration of the Thai Agricultural Standard for Ginger

1. Mr. Somchai Wattanayothin Chairperson

Department of Agriculture

2. Ms. Jirapar Jomthaisong Member

Department of Agricultural Extension

3. Ms. Tassanee Pradyabumrung Member

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and

Food Standards

4. Ms. Laddawan Insung Member

Horticulture Research Institute

Department of Agriculture

5. Mr. Chawalert Trikarunasawat Member

Post-Harvest and Products Processing Research and

Development Office

Department of Agriculture

6. Mr. Pathom Taenkam Member

Thai Fruit and Vegetable Producer Association

7. Mr. Chainarong Rattanakreetakul Member

Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen

Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus

8. Asst. Prof. Prasit Noree Member

Faculty of Agricultural Production

Maejo University

9. Mr. Somchai Surawaykin Member

Expert in ginger trading

10. Mr. Charoenchai Yamkhaekhai Member

Expert in ginger trading

11. Mr. Yokin Piata Member

Expert in ginger production

12. Ms. Onanong Sae Wah Member

Expert in ginger production

13. Ms. Somrudee Rudeecharoensakun Member and Secretary

Office of Standard Development

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and

Food Standards

(3)

Ginger is of high potential for production and export. It is important to establish good

agricultural practices to develop quality and safety for consumer. In order to build trust and

recognition of the produce to be accepted both domestically and internationally by taking into

account environment, health, safety and welfare of workers, the Agricultural Standards

Committee considers it is appropriate to establish the standard for Good Agricultural Practices

for Ginger.

This standard is based on the following documents:

TAS 3002-2013. Thai Agricultural Standard: Ginger, the National Bureau of Agricultural

Commodity and Food Standards.

TAS 9001-2013. Thai Agricultural Standard: Good Agricultural Practices for Food Crop, the

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards.

NOTIFICATION OF MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES

ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD:

GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR GINGER

UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL STANDARDS ACT, B.E. 2551 (2008)

-------------------------------------

Whereas the Agricultural Standards Committee deems it necessary to establish an

agricultural standard for Good Agricultural Practices for Ginger as a voluntary standard in

accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act, B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such

agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety.

By virtue of Sections 5, 15 and 16 of the Agricultural Standards Act, B.E.

2551(2008) and the decision of the Agricultural Standards Committee at the Fourth Session

dated 29 December B.E. 2557 (2014), the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives hereby

issues this Notification on the Establishment of Thai Agricultural Standard: Good

Agricultural Practices for Ginger (TAS 3501-2015), as a voluntary standard, details of which

are attached herewith.

This shall be effective from the day after the date of its publication in the Royal

Gazette.

Notified on 3 March B.E.2558 (2015)

(Mr. Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya)

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives

TAS 3501 -2015

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR GINGER

1. SCOPE

This Thai agricultural standard covers good agricultural practices for ginger at all stages of

on-farm production and postharvest handlings where produce is collected and/or packed for

distribution. The purposes are to obtain safe produce, proper quality for fresh consumption

and industrial processing by taking into account the environment as well as health, safety and

welfare of workers.

2. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this standard, the definitions referred to the TAS 3002 entitled Thai

Agricultural Standard on Ginger and TAS 9001 entitled Thai Agricultural Standard on Good

Agricultural Practices for Food Crop shall apply.

3. REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Ginger shall be as in Table 1.

Table 1: Items and Requirements of GAP for Ginger

Items Requirements

1. Water

(1) Water used in

planting area

1.1 Water used in the production shall come from sources that do

not cause contamination of hazardous substances to produce that

affects safety of consumer.

In case of risk, water shall be tested by either official or

accredited laboratories for hazardous substances. Analytical results

shall be kept as evidence.

1.2 Do not use untreated effluent from industrial factories or other

waste water sources e.g. community, hospital that can cause

contamination of hazardous substances. If it is necessary to use such

water, there shall be clear evidence or proof showing that such water

has been treated and can be used in the production processes.

1.3 Take water samples at least once prior to entering the system of

production, and take additional samples every time whenever the

water sources are likely to be contaminated. The samples shall be

sent to official or accredited laboratory for hazardous substance

analysis. Analytical results shall be kept as evidence.

This translation is made by The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) to

establish correct understanding about this standard to foreigners. Reference to Thai Agricultural Standard in

any jurisdiction shall be made to the Thai version only.

TAS 3501-2015

TAS 3501-2015

Items Requirements

1.4 Water used for dissolving fertilizers and pesticides shall have

quality that does not decrease the solubility of those inputs.

1.5 Availability of appropriate water supply methods to the crop

water requirement and ground moist.

1.6 Availability of management of wastewater e.g. from toilet, other

disposals etc. in order to minimize risk affecting environment of the

planting area and its surroundings.

1.7 Availability of conservation practices for water source and its

environment.

(2) Water used for

postharvest

handling

1.8 In case of using water to clean the harvested produce, use clean

water or potable water or its equivalent, depending on the purposes

of ginger utilization.

2. Planting area 2.1 Planting area shall not be located in the environment causing

contamination of hazardous substances to produce that affects safety

of consumer.

In case of risk, soil shall be tested by either official or

accredited laboratory for hazardous substance contamination.

Analytical results shall be kept as evidence.

2.2 If it is necessary to use such contaminated risk area, there shall

be clear proof of treatment method to minimize the contamination to

the safety level.

2.3 Take samples at least once prior to entering the system of

production, and take additional samples every time whenever the soil

is likely to be contaminated. The samples shall be sent to official or

accredited laboratory for hazardous substance analysis. Analytical

results shall be kept as evidence.

2.4 If soil or planting material is fumigated or treated with

chemicals to eliminate soil-borne pest, type of chemicals, date, rate

and method of application as well as operator name shall be recorded

and kept as evidence.

2.5 New planting area shall not cause adverse effect to the

environment. If it does, mitigation or preventive measures shall be in

place.

2.6 Plot layout, plot preparation or adjustment of the plot layout

shall take into account the impacts on food safety, environment,

produce quality, and health, safety and welfare of worker.

2.7 Maintain planting area in order to prevent soil degradation.

2.8 Plot code and information shall be made available by specifying

name and address of farm owner, name and address of plot keeper (if

any), farm location, farm and plot layouts, crop types and their

varieties.

2.9 Land use history for at least the past two years shall be available.

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TAS 3501 -2015

Items Requirements

2.10 Area used for planting shall comply with relevant laws and

regulations.

3. Pesticides

3.1 If pesticide is used, the recommendations of the Department of

Agriculture (DOA), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives or

instruction on the label registered with DOA shall be applied.

No pesticide application is allowed before harvest in accordance

with the withholding period indicated on the label or the official

recommendations.

In case there is evidence or doubt of improper use, the produce

shall be analysed for pesticide residues by either official or accredited

laboratory. Record shall be kept as evidence.

In case the result of pesticide residue analysis exceeds the

maximum residue limits under the relevant standards or laws, the

incident shall be investigated and corrective action shall be taken or

preventive measure shall be in place to avoid the reoccurrence. Such

record shall be kept as evidence.

3.2 Do not use or possess pesticides prohibited to manufacture,

import, export or hold under the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535

(1992) and its amendments.

3.3 In case the production is for export, do not apply pesticides

prohibited by importing countries or follow their requirements.

3.4 Availability of information on permitted or prohibited pesticides

for both domestic use and importing country requirements.

3.5 Select proper sprayers and equipment including spraying method.

The sprayers shall be regularly checked for their readiness to be used

effectively.

3.6 Do not mix more than two pesticides unless it is recommended

by the relevant government agencies or supported by scientific

information.

3.7 Integrated Pest Management shall be implemented to reduce the

use of pesticides.

3.8 The container of the leftover pesticide which is not used up in

one application shall be tightly closed and kept in the pesticide

storage. If pesticide is transferred to another container, the secondary

container shall be labeled with complete and correct information.

3.9 Types of pesticides shall be orderly grouped in the specified

secure storage to prevent mishandling, contaminating to produce and

harming to personnel.

3.10 Other chemicals such as fuel, cleaning agents, and other non

agricultural substances shall be orderly stored to prevent exposure to

produce and contamination to environment.

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TAS 3501-2015

Items Requirements

3.11 Clean sprayers and equipment after each use and dispose rinsed

water by method that does not contaminate the environment.

3.12 The empty pesticide container shall be destroyed to prevent

reuse or disposed with proper method.

3.13 The deteriorated or expired pesticide container shall be kept in

the secured location, and destroyed in order to prevent reuse or

disposed with proper method.

3.14 Record or make a list of stocked pesticides.

3.15 Operators and/or supervisors shall have knowledge on the

correct use of pesticide. They shall be able to identify pests and select

pesticide, application rates, sprayers and related equipment.

3.16 Operators shall have knowledge and understanding on how to

protect themselves from the use of pesticide and on first aids.

3.17 While applying pesticides, the operator shall wear proper

protective clothing including personal protective equipment i.e. mask

or nose covering cloth, gloves, hat and boots in order to protect

oneself from pesticide hazard.

3.18 The spraying operator shall always operate on the windward

direction. Care shall be taken that the mist shall not contaminate the

adjacent plots and environment.

3.19 The spraying operator shall take shower, shampoo and change

clothes right after pesticide application. Used clothes shall be cleaned

every time and separated from the normal laundry.

3.20 Availability of first aid kit and complete set of accidental

protective equipment such as eyewash solution, clean water, sand etc.

3.21 Availability of instruction in case of accident or emergency

prominently displayed at the chemical storage area.

4. Pre-harvest

quality management

(1) Production

control plan

4.1 A production control plan shall be in place in order to obtain

produce as desired. Control measures established at each step; that

may have adverse effects on safety and quality of produce, and/or

environment, workers’ health, safety and welfare, shall be based on

Good Agricultural Practices or information from recognized

researches, government agencies, experts in crop production, or

importing countries.

(2) Production

Inputs

4.2 Production inputs and their sources shall be listed and recorded.

Important inputs i.e. propagative parts, fertilizers, nutrient supplements

and pesticides shall be recorded on their specific details including,

product name, quantity and date of purchase.

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TAS 3501 -2015

Items Requirements

- Propagative parts 4.3 Propagative parts shall be obtained from reliable sources, true to

type of variety and be able to trace to their sources of origin.

4.4 Propagative parts shall be 10-12 months old consist of 2-3 buds

and free of pests.

- Fertilizers and soil

conditioners

4.5 Availability of good management for the application of

fertilizers and soil conditioners to prevent physical, chemical and

microbiological contaminations on produce to the level unsafe for

consumption. Fertilizers or soil conditioners shall be registered with

the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and

Cooperatives.

4.6 In case organic fertilizer is produced on farm, it shall be completely

fermented or decomposed or sufficiently processed by other means

not to cause transmission of diseases to human. Method, date and

duration of such process shall be recorded.

4.7 Do not use human sewage as fertilizer.

4.8 Areas for storage, mixing, and loading fertilizers and soil

conditioners or areas for composting shall be located in the areas that

do not pose any contamination to the cultivated areas and water

sources.

4.9 Fertilizers shall be apply according to the result of soil nutrient

analysis and crop requirements.

- Agricultural

equipment and tools

4.10 Equipment and tools shall be sufficiently and appropriately

provided for operations.

4.11 Storage for equipment and tools shall be separately, securely and

easily access for use.

4.12 Equipment and tools shall be regularly checked in order to

prevent danger to workers.

4.13 Equipment and tools that require accuracy in the operation

shall be inspected at least once a year. In case of deviation, they shall

be adjusted, repaired or replaced so that they can function properly

according to the standards.

4.14 Equipment and tools including containers used for packing and

transferring the produce shall be cleaned every time before and after

use.

- Management of

production steps

4.15 Soil used for planting should be well drained.

4.16 Spacing shall be appropriate for the harvesting period of ginger

(young, immature or mature ginger) to obtain good quality produce.

4.17 Preventive measure for soil borne pests shall be in place without

posing any threat to consumer safety, produce quality and environment.

4.18 Mulching is practiced to maintain ground moist.

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TAS 3501-2015

Items Requirements

4.19 Hilling up the soil around the base of ginger to promote budding

and growth of rhizome, to prevent green rhizome and to control weed.

4.20 Pest control shall be applied whenever pest population is detected

from field monitoring and reached the economic threshold level.

4.21 Weeds shall be controlled to the level that does not have an

adverse effect on the growth of ginger.

4.22 Measures to reduce risk of diseases shall be in place e.g. crop

rotation.

- Disposal of waste

and materials

unused or unrelated

to production

4.23 Infected plant parts shall be burned outside the planting area by

taking into account the impact to environment.

4.24 Clearly separate types of waste and materials unused or unrelated

to production. Sufficient area of garbage disposal or clearly specified

disposal area shall be provided. In addition, reduction of waste

generated from the production activities shall be practiced.

5. Harvest and

postharvest

handlings

5.1 Ginger shall be harvested at the appropriate maturity time

according to the quality required by the market or trading partner.

5.2 Inferior quality ginger shall be sorted out from the quality ones.

In case there is quality grading and sizing before distribution, Thai

Agricultural Standards on Ginger (TAS 3002) or trading partner’s

requirements shall apply.

5.3 Ginger shall be harvested with appropriate method and care to

prevent any defect.

5.4 Waste and pesticide containers shall be clearly separated from

those used for harvest and transport of produce in order to prevent

contamination.

5.5 Storage areas for harvesting and post-harvesting tools and

containers shall be separately provided from those storages for

pesticides or other chemicals, fertilizers and soil conditioners.

Preventive measures on contamination from pests shall also be

provided.

5.6 Domestic and farm animals are excluded from the production

site, particularly from areas where produce is harvested, packed and

stored. In case of risk, preventive measures shall be provided.

5.7 Baits or traps used for pest control are placed at the locations

that do not cause risk of contamination to the produce, containers and

materials. The locations of baits or traps are recorded.

6. Holding, moving

of harvested produce

in planting area

storing and

transporting

6.1 Hygienic management of the areas and methods of moving,

holding and/or storing of the produce shall be provided in order to

prevent contamination from hazards and foreign matter affecting

safety and quality of the produce.

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TAS 3501 -2015

Items Requirements

6.2 The harvested produce in the holding area shall be proper

handling and able to prevent deterioration from heat and sunlight.

6.3 Harvested produce in the holding area shall be placed on any

material to avoid direct contact with the ground to prevent

contamination from rubbish and other hazards.

6.4 Vehicle used for moving or transporting pesticides, fertilizers or

soil conditioners shall not be used to move or transport the produce in

order to prevent contamination which is harmful for consumption . If

it is unavailable, the vehicle shall be cleaned to prevent such

contamination and keep the record of its use.

6.5 Appropriate primary containers shall be chosen for moving the

produce from the planting area to the appropriate sorting/ packing

area.

6.6 Produce in the planting area shall be carefully moved to prevent

contamination harmful to consumption.

The moving of produce in the planting area shall be carried out

with care and able to prevent contamination which is harmful for

consumption.

6.7 Immediately after harvest and/or after dressing, sorting or sizing,

packed produce shall be transported with care to the collecting point.

7. Personal hygiene 7.1 Workers shall have the knowledge and understanding or receive

personal hygiene training in order to work hygienically.

7.2 Workers who directly contact with produce, particularly after

harvest shall maintain their personal hygiene to prevent contamination

to produce.

7.3 Personal hygiene facilities shall be sufficiently provided and ready

for use. Such facilities shall be able to prevent waste not to

contaminate the planting area and produce.

7.4 Any sick worker shall report to the supervisor for decision to

divert him/her to other work that does not causes contamination to the

produce.

7.5 Operators dealt with pesticides shall have their health examination

at least once a year.

7.6 Proper basic facilities for workers shall be provided.

7.7 Training to workers shall be appropriately provided in accordance

with their duties.

7.8 Farm owner and workers shall have knowledge or receive training

relevant to good agricultural practices.

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TAS 3501-2015

Items Requirements

8. Record keeping

and traceability

(1) Documents and

record keeping

8.1 In case water sources and planting areas are at risk against

consumers’ safety, results of water and soil analyses shall be

available. (Sections 1.1 and 2.1)

8.2 Availability of records on analyses of water and soil at the

initial stage of establishing the system of production and whenever

the environment is at risk of contamination. (Section 1.3 and 2.3)

8.3 Availability of records on the application of chemicals for

fumigating or drenching the soil. (Requirements 2.4)

8.4 Availability of records on planting area codes and their

identification. (Section 2.8)

8.5 Availability of records on land use history for at least the past

two consecutive years. (Requirement 2.9)

8.6 Availability of records on each application of pesticides, at least

including variety , type of pesticide, justification of use , date of use,

application rate and method, date of harvest and operater’s name.

(Section 3.1)

8.7 Availability of information on permitted or prohibited pesticides.

(Requirement 3.4)

8.8 Availability of records or list of stocked pesticides.

(Requirement 3.14)

8.9 Availability of production control plans. (Requirement 4.1)

8.10 Availability of records of the list of production inputs and their

sources including specific details of essential production inputs i.e.

propagative part of plant, fertilizers, supplementary nutrients, and

pesticides by specifying types, quantities, and dates (dd/mm/yyyy) of

purchase. (Requirements 4.2 and 4.3)

8.11 Availability of records on organic fertilizer production.

(Requirement 4.6)

8.12 Availability of records on the placement location of baits or

traps for pest control. (Requirement 5.7)

8.13 In case where vehicle is used interchangeably between transporting

produce and pesticides, fertilizers or soil conditioners, records on the

vehicle usage shall be kept. (Requirement 6.4).

8.14 Availability of training records on personal hygiene.

(Requirement 7.1)

8.15 Availability of records on the result of operators’ health

examination. (Requirement 7.5)

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TAS 3501 -2015

Items Requirements

(2) Traceability 8.16 Ginger in holding and moving or packing for distribution shall

bear lot number or tagged with code or mark of production source or

harvested date for traceability.

Ginger in storage and waiting for transport or packing for

distribution shall bear lot number or code or mark showing the

source of production or date of harvest for traceability.

8.17 Information on buyers or market places including quantity sold

shall be recorded.

8.18 Record of operations and important evidence related to operations

shall also be kept for at least 2 consecutive production years, or as

required by customers or trading countries in order to enable

traceability and recalls when problems arise.

8.19 In case where problems occurred in the planting areas that may

affect food safety, actions shall be taken to investigate causes and

corrective action shall be performed to prevent reoccurrence. Record

the causes and actions taken.

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