Horto do Campo Grande (HCG) and Consultactiva have teamed up to offer a certified course in Lisbon to obtain the Plant Protection Product Applicator Card. The training takes place on October 22, 23, 24, 30, and 31 at Garden do Campo Grande, and is aimed at farmers, producers, operators, and all professionals who need this mandatory qualification to buy, transport, and apply plant protection products for professional use.
The use of plant protection products requires knowledge, responsibility, and strict compliance with current legislation. To meet the growing demand for this certified training from its customers, HCG has established a partnership with Consultactiva, a certified training entity with over 15 years of experience in professional training.
This collaboration allows the courses to take place at the Garden do Campo Grande facilities in Lisbon, offering an easy-to-access space prepared to host specialized training actions for professionals in agriculture, gardening, green space maintenance, and everyone who needs to obtain the Plant Protection Product Applicator Card (APF).
Why is it mandatory to get the Applicator Card?
Law No. 26/2013, of April 11, stipulates that everyone who intends to buy, transport, or apply plant protection products for professional use must have specific training recognized by the Regional Directorates of Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP).
More than a legal requirement, this certification represents a commitment to the safer and more responsible use of these products, simultaneously protecting the applicator, consumers, animals, natural resources, and the environment.
Upon successful completion of the training, participants receive a Training Certificate and can apply for their Applicator Card, which is valid for 10 years.
Training designed for those who work with plants every day
The course is intended for farmers, agricultural producers, operators, sector workers, and anyone who uses plant protection products in their professional activity.
Throughout the 35 hours of in-person training, participants deepen fundamental knowledge for the correct use of these products, from general crop protection principles to best practices for storage, transport, preparation, and application.
Topics covered include:
- General principles of crop protection;
- Safe use of plant protection products;
- Legal framework and regulatory systems;
- Risk reduction for the applicator, consumers, and the environment;
- Application equipment;
- Storage, transport, and accident management.
A written assessment is conducted at the end of the training, and the certificate is subsequently issued through the SIGO Platform.
Safety, health, and environment go hand in hand
Incorrect application of plant protection products can pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Direct exposure during handling, preparation of mixtures, or application can cause undesirable effects when proper protection measures are not followed.
On the other hand, responsible use helps reduce the risk of contaminating soil, water, non-target organisms, and the food produced.
This is precisely why this training is becoming increasingly relevant today. In addition to meeting legal requirements, it provides practical tools that help professionals work with greater safety, effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.
Certified training in a space connected to the world of plants
Hosting this training at Garden do Campo Grande also represents a natural continuity of HCG’s mission as a reference point for professionals and enthusiasts of the green world.
Over the years, HCG has sought to provide not only specialized products and services but also technical knowledge to promote increasingly qualified and sustainable practices.
This partnership with Consultactiva reinforces that commitment, bringing certified training closer to those who work daily with gardens, green spaces, agriculture, and landscape maintenance.
“At HCG, we strive to provide solutions that add real value to our customers. This partnership with Consultactiva allows us to respond to an increasing need in the sector, bringing certified training closer to those who work daily with plants, agriculture, and green spaces. More than just fulfilling a legal obligation, we believe that investing in knowledge is investing in the safer, more responsible, and sustainable use of plant protection products,” says Andreia Cunha, head of the Human Resources department at Horto do Campo Grande.
Next edition in October
The next training session will take place on October 22, 23, 24, 30, and 31, 2026, at Garden do Campo Grande in Lisbon.
With a total duration of 35 in-person hours, this training is an opportunity for both experienced professionals and those looking to start an activity in this area, meeting all the legal requirements for obtaining the necessary qualification to buy, transport, and apply plant protection products for professional use.
Registration and useful information
The course costs €229, a value that includes the training and the entire process required to obtain the Training Certificate, issued on the SIGO Platform after successful completion of the session.
The certificate is sent free of charge in digital format (PDF) to the trainee’s email address, and can also be picked up at the Garden do Campo Grande facilities. If you wish to receive it by mail, shipping via CTT has an additional cost of €10.
After completing the training, participants can apply for the Plant Protection Product Applicator Card by paying the legally required fee to the competent authority (DRAP), currently €5.20.
Note: This information does not replace consulting the conditions and information provided by our partner Consultactiva, here.
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
