Potential to Comply with Good Agricultural Practices Standards

The research has been conducted in cooperation with the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The aim of the study was to assess the status quo of current pre- and post-harvesting processes in mango orchards in the Shan State, Myanmar on the basis of GAP requirements concerning fruit quality. An exploratory research approach was adopted. A quantitative research among one hundred fourteen mango farmers in the Shan State, Myanmar and seven qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The results of the study show that farmers in the Shan State, Myanmar apply already advanced orchard management techniques. Nonetheless, providing knowledge and training about mango pre- and post-harvest management techniques is necessary to improve and maintain fruit quality. Moreover, the results of the study stress the significance of a strict compliance with GAP standards and advocate, for the short run, the introduction of a MyanmarGAP due to the high requirements of GlobalGAP implementation. A glance at the development and structure of the export mango value chain in Thailand exemplifies the high potential of mango clusters and mango producer groups.