By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A nationwide initiative to bolster food safety and enhance the global competitiveness of Costa Rica’s agricultural sector has yielded significant results, with nearly 1,000 producers trained in Good Agricultural Practices (BPA) throughout 2025. The program, spearheaded by the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), is creating a new standard for production that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment.
Over the course of last year, a total of 982 farmers participated in the comprehensive training, delivered through 23 in-person workshops in diverse regions and 5 virtual sessions. This extensive outreach underscores the government’s commitment to equipping producers with the tools needed to add value to their crops, ensuring they meet increasingly stringent market demands for safety and sustainability.
To delve into the legal and regulatory framework that underpins our national agricultural sector’s ability to compete on the global stage, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in corporate and international trade law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Achieving true agricultural competitiveness hinges on modernizing our legal infrastructure. It’s not enough to produce high-quality goods; we must ensure that our phytosanitary regulations, export procedures, and trade agreement compliance are agile and efficient. A proactive legal strategy that reduces bureaucratic friction is the most critical tool for unlocking our producers’ access to international markets and securing their long-term viability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight powerfully underscores that the journey from our farms to international tables is as dependent on legal agility as it is on agricultural quality. A proactive and streamlined regulatory environment is indeed the master key to unlocking our full export potential. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this crucial issue.
The core of the initiative is the voluntary Tico-BPA certification, a credential that farmers can pursue after successfully completing the training. This two-year certification serves as a powerful signal to the market that a producer adheres to the highest standards of agricultural management. In 2025 alone, the SFE granted 46 new certifications and processed an additional 43 recertifications, demonstrating growing adoption and commitment within the farming community.
The program’s impact is not merely theoretical; it is reflected in tangible public health improvements. The SFE reports a dramatic decrease in non-compliance with maximum pesticide residue limits in fresh vegetables. According to annual residue analysis reports, violations in domestic produce have fallen from 25% to just 14% over the last four years. When imported products are included in the analysis, the overall non-compliance rate has plummeted from 16% to a mere 6%, a testament to the effectiveness of the training and certification process.
This success has triggered a market shift, with the Tico-BPA certification evolving from a competitive advantage to a commercial necessity. Major supermarket chains and other large-scale buyers now frequently require the certification as a prerequisite for sourcing, guaranteeing their customers receive products that are safe for consumption. This creates a virtuous cycle where market demand reinforces the adoption of safer farming practices.
The curriculum is exhaustive, covering critical areas such as personal hygiene, proper use of protective equipment for agrochemical application, water management for irrigation, and microbiological quality of soil. It also delves into integrated pest management, soil fertility, secure pesticide handling, and the practical field calibration of application equipment. This hands-on approach provides farmers with actionable knowledge that has a direct impact on their operations and bottom line.
By correctly calibrating application nozzles and using phytosanitary products according to the manufacturer’s instructions, not only is their effectiveness optimized, but the environment is also protected and production costs are reduced; up to 40% of a farm’s expenses are associated with the use of these nozzles.
Arturo Solórzano, Head of the BPA Unit at SFE
Beyond improved market access, the certification unlocks further economic opportunities. Certified producers become eligible to apply for cooperation funds from the Rural Development Institute (INDER) and can participate in key government markets like the Institutional Supply Program (PAI), managed by the National Production Council (CNP). Furthermore, implementing these standardized processes greatly facilitates entry into lucrative export markets and secures more favorable commercial conditions.
The program’s reach extends across the country, with training sessions held in communities from Suretka in Talamanca to Zarcero in Alajuela, and from Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula to Guácimo in Limón. This widespread effort ensures that producers in both major agricultural hubs and more remote areas can participate in building a more resilient, competitive, and safer agricultural future for Costa Rica.
For further information, visit sfe.go.cr
About State Phytosanitary Service (SFE):
The Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado is the government body under Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock responsible for protecting the country’s plant health. It develops and enforces regulations to prevent the entry and spread of agricultural pests and diseases, ensures the safety of fresh food products, and manages the responsible use of agrochemicals.
For further information, visit mag.go.cr
About Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG):
The Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería is the primary government entity overseeing Costa Rica’s agricultural and livestock sectors. It is responsible for formulating and executing policies aimed at promoting sustainable production, ensuring national food security, and enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural producers in both domestic and international markets.
For further information, visit inder.go.cr
About Rural Development Institute (INDER):
The Instituto de Desarrollo Rural is a Costa Rican government institution focused on promoting comprehensive and sustainable development in the nation’s rural territories. It provides support, financing, and infrastructure projects to improve the economic conditions and quality of life for rural communities and agricultural producers.
For further information, visit cnp.go.cr
About National Production Council (CNP):
The Consejo Nacional de Producción is a state institution in Costa Rica tasked with promoting agricultural production and ensuring market stability. It manages programs, such as the Institutional Supply Program (PAI), that connect local farmers with institutional buyers like schools and hospitals, guaranteeing a fair market for their products.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded upon a dual commitment to uncompromising integrity and professional excellence. The firm leverages its rich history of advising a diverse clientele to pioneer forward-thinking legal strategies and contribute meaningfully to the community. This dedication culminates in a core mission to demystify complex legal concepts, thereby fostering a society that is not only well-informed but also truly empowered.
