CropLife Ghana Urges Farmers to Purchase Fertilizers, other products from its Member Companies

CropLife Ghana Urges Farmers to Purchase Fertilizers, other products from its Member Companies Managers of CropLife Ghana has urged farmers and the general public to use the company's recommended products in their year round farming activities for a bumper harvest and nutritious food. According to them, the ideal method to enhance and increase production is for farmers to have access to quality fertilizers and pesticides during farming. “To achieve this, CropLife Ghana, together with its member companies namely RMG Ghana Ltd, Jubaili Agrotec, Afcott Ghana Ltd, Reiss&Co, Bentronics Agro, Kumark Agro, Candel, Yara, Overseas Warehouse Ghana Ltd, Wynca Sunshine, BAS-F, Adama West Africa, Bon Agro, Corteva, Rainbow Agrisciences, Chemico, Agrohao, Agrocrown, Calli Ghana, Bayer, Dizengoff, Crop Doctor and Solevo actively develops and promotes stewardship programs for farmers across the country”, the Programs Manager of CropLife Ghana, Mr. Kadiri Rashad said in a press statement copied to the media. According to him, the stewardship is a lifecycle approach to ensure safe production, storage, transportation, planting nutrition products and the proper way of disposing waste. Mr. Kadiri mentioned that their approved fertilizer and pesticides help farmers to produce safe, quality foods at affordable prices and as well provide abundance of nutritious, all-year round foods which are necessary for human health. He further assured

CropLife Ghana interest in promoting food security and increase the livelihoods of farmers in the country.

BUY QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE PESTIICDES AND FERTILIZERS FROM CROPLIFE GHANA MEMBER COMPANIES

The use of crop protection, plant nutrition and biotechnology products are essential for maintaining and increasing agricultural productivity and improving farmer livelihoods in Ghana. According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the agriculture sector remains a key driver of Ghana’s economy, employing over 38.3% of the total workforce and accounting for approximately 20% of National GDP over the past six (6) years. Agriculture has intensified in Ghana, a trend linked to population growth, urbanization and increased market integration. At the same time, pest and disease pressure on crops has also increased. Pesticides and fertilizers are very important. They help farmers grow more food on less land by protecting crops from pests, diseases and weeds as well as raising productivity per hectare. The safe and responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers ensures minimum risk to human health and the environment. To achieve this, CropLife Ghana, together with its member companies namely RMG Ghana Ltd, Jubaili Agrotec Ltd, Afcott Ghana Ltd, Reiss & Co Ltd, Bentronics Agrochemicals Ltd, Kumark Agrochemicals, The Candel Ghana, Yara Ghana, Overseas Warehouse Ghana Ltd, Wynca Sunshine, BAS-F, Adama West Africa, Bon Agro, Corteva, Rainbow Agrisciences, Chemico Ltd, Agrohao Company Ltd, Agrocrown Company Ltd, Calli Ghana, Bayer WCA, Dizengoff Ghana, Crop Doctor and Solevo Ghana actively develops and promotes stewardship programs for farmers across the country. Stewardship is a lifecycle approach to product management to ensure safe production, transportation, storage, handling and application and use of the crop protection and plant nutrition products, as well as the proper disposal of waste. It maximizes the benefits and minimizes any risk from product use. Pesticides and fertilizers enable farmers to produce safe, quality foods at affordable prices. They also help farmers provide an abundance of nutritious, all-year-round foods, which are necessary for human health. Fruits and vegetables, which provide essential nutrients, are more abundant and affordable. Grains, milk and proteins, which are vital to childhood development, are more widely available because of lower costs to produce food and animal feed. CropLife Ghana is therefore urging all farmers and the general public to buy genuine , quality and affordable pesticides and fertilizers from its member companies as we seek to promote food security and increased livelihoods of farmers.

Signed Mr. Kadiri Rashad, Programs Manager, CropLife Ghana

Pest Diagnosis and Management Training for Field Agronomists

CropLife Ghana in collabration with CABI organized a four(4) days Non- Residential training session for field Agronomist at Tomreik Hotel, East Legon in Accra.

The whole of module training takes the trainees from describing symptoms to learning about the

causes of symptoms and then onto how to ascribe those symptoms to various causes.

The training equipped the trainees with the digital and physical tools that give diagnostic support in the field. At he end of the training, participants were able to diagnose pests and diseases to at least the group level, which enables them to choose the best management option.

Trainees are better equipped to support farmers with advice that has been analysed based on efficacy, practicality, availability, cost, and safety.

This module were designed to take trainees through the following areas.

1. Options for managing the major pest groups.

2. What makes good recommendations?

3. How to integrate pest management options and

4. The limitations of control methods and the safe use of control methods

The training was facilitator by Mrs. Hannah Serwaa Nuamah and Mr. Theophilus Zottorgloh frpm the P[lant Protection and Regulatory Services Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (PPRSD-MOFA)

High Cost Of Inputs, Agricultural Services Making Farming Unattractive, Unprofitable – CropLife Ghana

The CropLife Ghana, an association of importers and distributors of pesticides, fertilizers and other agriculture inputs in Ghana has called on the Ministry of Finance to as a matter of urgency, grant the tax exemptions announced in the 2024 budget statement and economic policy of government for the importation of agriculture machinery and other inputs such pesticides.

The group observes that the high cost of inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers coupled with the escalating cost of agricultural services is making farming unattractive and unprofitable leading to low supply of food in Ghana.

The situation they said is worsened by the high reference point values charged by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the ports on pesticides and this further exacerbates the cost of clearing these pesticides.

The Custodian Online has learned that there are several importers who are unwilling to make any shipment to the country due to this development and farmers are already experiencing shortages in one way or the other which could adversely impact on this year’s crop season and ultimately affecting the country’s food security initiatives.

As a result, members of the CropLife Ghana and other service providers have their agrochemicals locked up at the ports due to the exorbitant charges slapped on them by way of import duty.

Mr. Kadiri Rashad, the Programs Manager at CropLife Ghana in a statement copied to THE CUSTODIAN said some their members have gone ahead to clear their stocks at very high cost to include demurrages.

He noted this will further push the cost of inputs above the weight of an ordinary farmer

He pointed out that the success or otherwise of the flagship Planting for Food and Jobs is largely dependent on the availability of quality agriculture inputs such as pesticides, fertilizers, seeds and machinery at affordable prices to farmers.

“In recognizing this, the 2024 national budget categorically captured Governments priority to grant tax exemptions on the importation of agriculture machinery and other inputs to promote and safeguard food security in Ghana” he added.

“While we await the finance ministry to implement the tax exemptions through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), members of CropLife Ghana and other service providers have their pesticides and fertilizers locked up in the ports due to exorbitant charges slapped on them by way of import duty” he lamented.

Training of Youth In Cocoa Services

CropLife Ghana in collaboration with Rikolt Ghana has trained 25 cocoa farmers at Adako Jachie in Ejisu in the Ashanti Region. The 5-days training seeked to improve the knowledge and skills of 25 youths in cocoa services groups selected from Rikolko’s operational area on the DGD project in the Suhum district, Wassa Akropong district and Adabokrom district on the SSP Concept, responsible uses and correct application of approved and registered pesticides and fertilizers, Pruning and spraying technical training(certification), Integrated Pest Management, Use of PPEs, Entrepreneurship development of spraying and Pruning groups(record keeping, budgeting etc)

The aim is to promote employment opportunities for the youth in the cocoa sector and for cocoa farmers to have access to professional labor services delivery leading to adoption of improved agronomic practices and hence improve productivity. 

Mr. Eric Aboagye the facilitator of CropLife Ghana Field Trainer took the farmers carefully through the selected spray service providers topics , pruning session and both the theoretical and the practical sessions.

Workshop methodology 

To achieve the stated objectives, CropLife Ghana training manuals, posters and flyers (from member companies would be used.) The farmers were carefully selected  through some important topics as like the following narrations below;

1.      Pruning and spraying technical training  

2.      Introduction to Pest and Plant Disease

3.      Types of Pesticides

4.      Basics of Scouting

5.      Pesticide residues

6.      The correct cleaning and destruction of Empty Pesticide Containers

7.      What of PPE to Wear

8.      What are counterfeit and illegal Pesticides

9.      The Consequence of counterfeit or illegal Pesticides

10.  How to recognize a counterfeit Pesticides

11.  SSP Pruning and pruning as a Business

12.  Financial Management

13 Integrated Pest Management

Theoretical Session

Visit to Agro Input Shop

Scouting session

Pruning Session

Spaying session

Presentation of PPEs to 100 Cocoa Farmers in the Western North Region

CropLife Ghana in collaboration with Cargil Ghana Limited has trained 100 cocoa farmers at Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region. The five(5) days training took place at four districts namely Bibiani, Sefwi Wiawso, Sefwi Bekwai and Sefwi Anhwiaso. The facilitators took the 100 carefully selected service providers who also double as cocoa farmers through both the theoretical and the practical sessions. Examinations was conducted at the end of the training where all the 100 farmers passed out successfully.

Each farmer received a set of protective equipment, certificate, ID Card, Cutlass, and Standard Pruner. After the presentation of the equipment, farmers were introduced to community members for them to patronize their services at a small fee thereby creating additional income stream for these trained service providers and reducing the stress on farmers across their locality.

Pictures of Presentation

FARMER SENSITIZATION ON “SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF PESTICIDES AT DADIESOABA-GOASO IN THE AHAFO REGION

CropLife Ghana in collaboration with the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) organized a one day sensitization program for farmers on Safe and Responsible Use of Pesticides and Fertilizers, Container Management and Anti-Counterfeiting in 8 communities in Dadiesoaba-Goaso in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. Communities reached included Sienchem, Dadiesoaba, Woremso, Adomakokrom, Acherensua, Nkaseim, Sunkwa, and Kukuom. This activity was carried out from the 18th – 29th September, 2023.

Mr. Regionald Mensah, COCOBOD District Extension Coordinator of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) facilitated the organization of the program in all the selected communities and some field staffs were all present for the programs in all the communities.

Sensitization Objectives

The Objectives of the program to:

v  To equip farmers knowledge on safe and responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers

v  To promote the use of genuine pesticides and fertilizers

v  To promote safe collection and proper disposal of empty pesticides containers

v  To create awareness on anti-counterfeiting program

v  To introduce farmers to the various productions and services of member companies

v  To link farmers to member Companies

 Topics Treated

v  Effects of pesticides on health and environment

v  Use of Personal Protective equipment

v  Handling empty pesticides containers and obsolete stocks

v  Hazards level of pesticides and its consequences

v  Pesticides dosage

v  Counterfeit and illegal pesticides

Member Companies Present

1  RMG GhanaLimited

2.  Rainbow  Agrosciences Ltd

3.   Agrocrown West Africa Company Ltd

4.   Yara Ghana

5.   The Candel Ghana 

Sensitization at Sienchem

Sensitization at Woremso

Sensitization at Sunkwa Community

Philip from RGM Sensitizing farmers at Adomakokrom

Adomakokrom Sensitization

Sensitization at Nkasiem Community

Sensitization at Kukuom

Sensitization at Acherenusua

Group picture at Sunkwa community. Farmers holding free souvenir’s from member companies

Group picture at Acherensua community

Group picture at Dadiesoaba

CROPLIFE GHANA CNFA HANDING OVER OF EQUIPMENT TO CASHEW FARMERS IN WENCHI

CropLife collaborated with the Wenchi  District Department of Food and Agriculture handing over of equipments to selected cashew farmers in Nchiara, Botenso, Amponsakrom, Awisa, Nkronisa and Akrobi in Wenchi, Bono Region.

These equipments includes over Fifty Wellington boots, Hand gloves, Overall, Ear mug, Safety Helmet , Knapsack Sprayers, Bypass Secateurs, Prunning Sheer, Pole Pruners, Chainsaw and Hand Saw. These equipment’s are aimed at improving access to orchard renovation and rehabilitation (R&R) services and agricultural inputs for producers in the cashew sector in the Wenchi Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana on post-harvest handling of raw cashew nuts, responsible use of crop protection products, and the safe and responsible use of cashew production equipment and machines.

Nchiara Community

Nchiara handing Over

Botenso Community

Botenso Handing Over

Amponsakron

Awisa community

Nkronisa Community

Nkronisa Handing Over

Akrobi Community

Akrobi Handing over

CropLife Ghana and Cargill Ghana trained 33 cocoa Farmers at Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region

The training started a day ahead of the scheduled date due to difficulty in securing venue. One Cargil Coordinator by name Bright was present on day 2 of the training as an observer. The farmers understood both the theory and the practical sessions of the training, with few challenges of reading of the pesticides labels and the toxicological band.  Another challenge was the transportation allowance of the farmers where they were claiming Ghs 100 per day instead of Ghs 20 proposed by Croplife.

Recommendations: Croplife should consider negotiations with Cargil to train their farmers on vegetable production as an additional livelihood to the farmers..

Training Session

Practical Session

Pruning practical Session

CropLife Ghana and Cargill Ghana trained 18 cocoa farmers at Sefwi Anhwiaso in the Western North Region

The training was opened by the IMS officer as planned on 12th June, 2023 at Sefwi Anhwiaso cocoa District. He encourage the participants to take advantage of the opportunity and learn more about the cocoa pruning and spraying.

After the opening remarks , the programme outline of the training was presented to the participant and allowed them to come out with their expectations and concerns.  Eighteen (18) farmers participated in the 5 day training program.

Participants reported on time at the training center and took much interest in the training topics. They were higly enthused and that was a positive feedback on the success of the program.

 TRAINING CONTENT

A pre written test on safe use of pesticides was conducted on the participants to find out their  level of understanding on the topic. Some of the topics treated were; cocoa pest & diseases control, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Scouting, business management, Pesticides formulation, mode of action,Harzards of pesticides, first aid and pruning.

During the training,  participants testified the detailed of the training contents and how it has enriched their knowledge on cocoa pest and disease control and pruning.

 FACILITATION

Training methods used was mainly discussion, group work and demonstration. The slide presentation was  more of pictures and illustrations. Participatory approach was used during presentation. One day was set aside for practical session at nearby cocoa farm ,where participants were taken through cocoa pruning, scounting and application of pesticide.Two (2)Cargill officers Isaac Dinka Duuti and Ema Esiamah were also in attendance at the training and during the practical session to support the facilitation.

LOGISTICS

Snacks, water and food was provided to all the participants.In addition to this, participants were supported with T & T to enable them comute from their communities and the training center.

 CHALLENGES

Apart from inadequate T&T pay to the participants , they were also stressed up because of movement to and from the communities and the training center. Secondly the communities were far from training center. Further, the 2days set aside for sensitization and slection of the participants were inadequate. There were budgetry constaint in the area of provition of snacks, water and food for participants.

RECOMMENDATION

I will recommend 1day per community for the sensitization to facilitate proper organization of the cooperatives.

I also recommend upword review of food,water and T&T budget in our subsequnce trainings to free facilitators from financial stress which can affect their delivery.If it will be possible the training should residential so that participants will not go through that stress.

Training session

Practical session

During PPEs demonstration

Pruning session

CropLife Ghana and Cargill Ghana trained 31 Farmers at Bibiani District in the Western North Region

Program was carried out as schedule with farmers at Calvary Power Church at Bibiani. Generally 31 out of 36 selected farmers participated in the training. Majority of the participants reported on time and the program started at exactly 9 am each day. It was observed that farmers had little knowledge about safe and responsible use of crop protection products. The training program was Interactive as farmers shared experiences on crop protection crops which was highly dangerous to their health and many years misuse of these products. Farmers testified that this training is one of the most important trainings they have acquired and the monies wasted many years without effective control of pest in their farms.  Farmers further requested for general training of pesticides to all their cooperative members. Practical training sessions were organized in a cocoa farm. Present were minimum of 4 Cargil officers each day throughout the training period recording 6 Cargil officers on day 1 and 2

Interesting Topics

Farmers showed more interest in all the topics especially Integrated Pest Management, Scouting, Pruning, Pesticides formulation, mode of action and Harzards of pesticides. It was also realized farmers were aware of Personal Protective Equipment and new how to put it on but was not using them.

 Difficult Topics

One of the difficult topics was Records keeping as farmers were not much abrest on farm records keeping.

 Challenges

 One of the major challenges encounted was Cargil officers interference in the training  money issues with regards to farmers created a lot of challenges throughout the training period. However I was able to convince them to concentrate on the knowledge and business acquisition instead  and they participated throughtout the schedule training period until issues were resolved.

 Recommendations

It is recommended that next trainings be organized solely based on Croplife policies without interference from project partners especially training organization issues.

Group Picture after successful training session

Training of Ampenim District Service providers at Bibiani

Practical Session Field.  Cargil Officer also advising farmers

Putting on the PPE