Thirty Agronomists in the vegetable sector have undergone a Training of Trainers (ToT) in Agronomy to equip them with the requisite knowledge and practical exercise to further advance and professionalise the production of vegetables. These agronomists will transfer this knowledge to farmer groups in the vegetable sector.
The training which is the first in a series to be organized by GhanaVeg, is designed as an on-field experience to run for 2 full days in 2-3 months intervals between October 2015 and December 2017. It is in line with the initiative’s motto; Healthy and Quality vegetables from Ghana, through new ways of doing business. The training session is spearheaded by three agronomists from the department of Applied Plant Research of Wageningen UR in the Netherlands led by Herman de Putter.
In a quest to professionalize the sector, the training will address some challenges of the agroecosystem that hamper the growth of vegetable crops like diseases and pests and how to prevent these challenges.
Leader of the three member team, Herman de Putter explained that Ghana’s vegetable sector has a lot of potential for both the local and international market but currently faces the big challenge of keeping a positive vegetable image. He explained that “currently, the sector is facing a possible ban of vegetable export to the EU market due to concerns that the quality of these produce is compromised by pests, diseases and overuse of pesticides”. In some cases vegetables at the local market are believed to contain too much pesticide residues.
Mr. Putter emphasized the need for farmers to have proper information on how to control the destructive pests and diseases in order to produce high quality vegetables with a minimum use of pesticides. These trainings are being carried out with the GhanaVeg project is expected to contribute to this awareness. He further stated that when using pesticides it is necessary to know the target to control, the efficacy of the pesticide and how to prevent residues.
This training of trainers for agronomists is as a fallout from GhanaVeg commissioned study which recommended the need for an all-inclusive private extension advisors to train farmers. This has led to an opening of an all new Private extension call for funds in the GhanaVeg’s grant facility.