In response to obviate the prevailing challenges of the ban on vegetable export, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has set up a vegetable Task Force made up of public and private actors and donor agencies to find permanent solutions to the challenge. So far, some significant and well-structured changes have resulted owning to what will be called a good start for a brighter tomorrow.

Significant to the pool of activities underway are the construction of a new Inspection Facility at the Airport by Aviance and training of some key staff of PPRSD and farmers by donor agencies on Good Agricultural Practices GAPs.

There are also on-going trials in three selected regions and ten areas of Keta, Begoro, Vakpo, Torgorme, Ningo, Juapong, Weija, Nkuranka, Akuse and Nsawam to tackle and control False Codling Moth with Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) product. Read more

Progress of Work

Production and Field Issues

Two hundred and forty (240) farmers including twenty-four (24) Extension Agents have been trained in six (6) district on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in the Keta, Nsawam, Ga South, Fanteakwa, Gomoa East and Ga Central District. PPRSD has developed a documentary to be aired on TV and other platforms to sensitize producers, exporters.

Another remarkable milestone is the EU funded training of nineteen (19) Phytosanitary inspectors on safer food and two PPRSD staffs trained in Cameroon in November and December respectively last year. There has also been training on strengthening safety management systems of agriculture product in Japan for another staff.

There are on-going trials on chilli farms to control the False Codling Moth using Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) product in three selected regions and ten areas of Keta, Begoro, Vakpo, Torgorme, Ningo, Juapong, Weija, Nkuranka, Akuse and Nsawam. There has also been the development of protocols for False Codling Moth (FCM)

Inspection and Certification

PPRSD has developed and assigned a unique coding system to all registered exporters and out-growers to ensure traceability. In addition to this, another system called the numbered cards which will serve exporters on the basis of first come first serve to avoid pressure on inspectors has been developed. Two stamps have been procured to indicate consignments that has been approved and those rejected as well as attachment sheets to be attached to phytosanitary certificates in order to accommodate more commodities in the consignment.

Manuals of different kinds which will foster the smooth and effective manner the PPRSD operates has been developed and submitted to the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO). Among such list is the plant quarantine manual, a revised pest list, fact sheets on some pest and SOP. Just to mention a few.

Logistics and Facilities

Aviance has constructed and upgraded a number of inspection facilities at the airport. Currently, a land has been acquired at the Kotoka International Airport to construct a permanent inspection facility for PPRSD with funding from EDAIF. Work has also commenced on a Plant Quarantine Laboratory at the headquarters of PPRSD at Pokuase. Another exciting thing is the finalization of a Port Cabin for installation at AGPC.

These are steps in the right direction. We are very positive that these developments will lead to an affirmative result of a possible lift of the ban pretty soon.