Interview: Tommy Alfaro Gonzalez, Third-Party Auditor
As part of our annual training program, we talked to Tommy Alfaro, who has over 30 years of experience in the farming industry from Sinaloa, particularly in food safety subjects.
Tommy has been part of the first food safety committees in Sinaloa and has collaborated with various organizations such as the Confederation of Farming Associations in the State of Sinaloa (CAADES), the Committee for Research and Defense of Vegetables (CIDH), the Association of Farmers from the Culiacan River (AARC), the State Plant Health Committee from Sinaloa (CESAVESIN), and Veggies From Mexico.
In this interview, she shares with us how gratifying it has been for her to be part of the evolution history in terms of food safety and social responsibility in the farming industry from both Sinaloa and Mexico, and what she considers to be the main trends we will be seeing in the coming years in terms of compliance and third-party certifications.
1. Would you mind sharing with us a bit of your professional experience?
When I started in the farming sector, I began working on quality-by-attribute programs for both exports and domestic tomatoes. At that time, quality inspections were being developed, and a certificate was issued with a compliance grade to allow exports into the United States. For the export market, 90–100% quality was required, whereas for the domestic market the range was 70–89%. The certificate was issued by CEVECET (Tomato Verification and Certification Committee), located at CAADES Sinaloa offices.
In 1997, when U.S. President Bill Clinton launched the “From Farm to Table” program, the first requirements for agricultural food safety were introduced. Therefore, tomato quality-by-attribute certification in Sinaloa tomatoes was discontinued, and the focus shifted towards developing the first agricultural food safety programs. At the same time, Mexico created SENASICA, the agency responsible for implementing agricultural food safety programs through the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program.
When the certification for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in field and packing operations was created, SENASICA became responsible for issuing the certificates. Audits were conducted by Third-Party Specialists certified to conduct them, and certification bodies started to emerge to cover GAP and GMP requirements required by the markets receiving primary production from Mexican fields.
When agricultural food safety programs started, information was scarce. Standard operating procedures were developed through trial and error. Fortunately, today there is extensive information available with regards to regulations and compliance.
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In 2011, SENASICA replaced the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) programs with the Risk Reduction Systems, which remain in force to this day.
2. What is it like for you to have such a broad career in the industry and to have collaborated in the first food safety programs of farming organizations?
For me, it has been very satisfying to notice the change in fields and packing facilities. From having zero programs implemented, to seeing farming companies achieve domestic commercial certifications in Food Safety Programs, as well as social responsibility certifications that are increasingly demanded by the markets.
We have witnessed a significant evolution in the industry in recent years. Initially, the main concern was product quality. Over time, this evolved to include agricultural food safety certifications, and today, social certifications related to health and safety.
I have personally been able to see the changes in fields and packing facilities, and it is truly gratifying to observe how conditions have improved both for the crops being grown and for the workers.
3. In your experience, how has the farming industry evolved in terms of food safety and social responsibility?
It has evolved immensely, and you can see it in every aspect, ranging from field infrastructure, packing facilities, and worker housing. Where once there was no infrastructure in farming production fields or packing operations, we now observe hygiene protocols aligned with both Mexican and international regulations, which have become part of the culture of farming companies; the evolution is evident across all aspects of production, packing, and worker facilities.
It is very rewarding to see the commitment the company has toward growing safe, high-quality products, toward their collaborators, and toward implementing so many programs in the area of social responsibility. It is a wonderful experience to walk through the fields and realize that what we are seeing today is part of what we once dreamed of for the industry years ago. For me, and for many colleagues in the sector who have lived this process, it is very exciting.
4. What are the main challenges the industry faces in plant health?
In my opinion, I believe the greatest challenges are the evolution and resistance of pests in agriculture, combined with the climate changes we are experiencing. Each day it becomes more difficult for growers to maintain production, and it requires significant physical, emotional, and economic effort and, despite these difficulties, they continue taking risks to grow their crops. My deepest admiration and respect for them as they face challenges such as water scarcity, extreme temperatures, and resistant pests.
5. What importance do you believe certifications hold for farming companies?
More than just getting a certificate, I believe the true importance lies in the commitment to maintain the implementation of food safety programs and both health and social security certifications, striving to keep these programs active. Certifications come as a result of this effort, remembering that these are required by the markets we want to send our products to. Without the certifications requested by clients, it is very difficult for them to buy our products.
6. How have certifications evolved to include the criteria demanded by clients and the industry?
At first, the US only required that round tomatoes met a quality grade of 90% or higher. Today, they demand certification in agricultural food safety programs and social certifications, which make companies more competitive in international markets.
7. What do you like the most about your job?
What I like the most is being able to contribute my small part so that growers continue implementing and maintaining their programs in farming companies, as well as sharing my experience with new generations working in food safety programs. In this field, one never stops learning, so we must constantly train ourselves to remain on the leading edge.
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8. What are the most significant practices you would recommend to farmers when it comes to plant health and compliance?
They must be consistent in the implementation and maintenance of all programs within their farming companies. Everything they do is important, and they know it. Programs must be followed up, new techniques must be innovated, and companies must remain on the leading edge of new domestic and requirements applicable to their implemented programs.
9. How do you visualize the farming sector in the next 10 years, and what will be the main changes?
The sector is visualized with greater demands from the markets, in addition to food safety, health, and safety programs. There will be particular interest in both water and carbon footprint, which are already mentioned in some certification schemes, as well as certifications related to water use and management.
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