Manila, April 11 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has certified 39 farms in Eastern Visayas for passing the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP), meant to secure better market opportunities.

The 39 farms belong to the first batch that obtained certification from the government based on measures that ensure food safety, environmental care, worker health and safety, and produce quality.

"Food safety from farm to table is guaranteed by PhilGAP certification. With GAP, we follow the right way of farming - from land preparation and pesticide use to harvest, which will protect the farmers and the consumers," DA senior agriculturist Randy Dante said.

Of the 39 farms, 35 are in Leyte and one each in the provinces of Southern L...