Problem Definition

Mounting evidence of damage to human health and environment has focused thee attention of the international community of the category of substance referred to as POPs. Farmers in the Kasoa near Accra use some agro chemicals that contain the POPs in vegetable production which are harmful to the human health. Ironically farmers pay higher prices for the agrochemicals, yet several tons of waste which could be processed as organic manure, is being generated at the Kasoa market becoming environmental nuisance.

Unfortunately it is not clear if the farmers will accept the processed waste as manure. It is also not known the quantity of manure that the farmers will need annually and whether the volume of waste generated at the market could meet the demand of the farmers. The economics of applying organic manure to vegetable production is also not known.

Project Goal

The goal of the project is to formulate a project proposal to sensitize vegetable farmers on the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and promote organic farming in the Kasoa area based on informed data

Objectives:

The Objectives of the project is to
- Document baseline information on the use of agro-chemicals in vegetable production in the project areas.
- Determine the social, economic, financial viability of introducing processing waste in vegetable production
- Use the outcome of the research to draft a project proposal to process waste generated at Kosoa market for vegetable production. .

Project Justification:

The project falls on the Persistent Organic Pollutants operation are of GEF. The project will develop and encourage the potential for the increased interest in integrated pest management and organic farming.

Global Environment Benefits:

The proposed project would result in the reduction of POPs..

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

The main results expected with successful implementation, and will reflect the justification of the project as follows:

- Baseline information on the use of agro-chemicals in vegetable production in the project areas compiled.
- Social, economic and financial viability of introducing processing waste in vegetable production determined
- Use the outcome of the research to draft a project proposal to process waste generated at Kosoa market for vegetable production. .

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Output 1
Baseline information on the use of agro-chemicals in vegetable production in the project areas compiled

Activities
? Organize meetings with District Assembly, market women and vegetable producers on the project and get their support.
? Recruit local consultants to conduct socio-economic baseline survey on farming systems, the extent, and use of agro-chemicals in farming, determine the volume of waste generated at the market place.

Output 2:
Social, economic, and financial viability of introducing processing waste in vegetable production determined

Activities
? Identify key stakeholders
? Determine the economics of producing vegetables based on the current farming systems
? Use PRA technologies to determine the technical, social, economic, and financial feasibility of organic farming through the processing waste from the market place
? Organize local forum of experts to share findings.

Output 3
Project proposal drafted and submitted to donors.

Activities
? Recruit a local consultant to formulate a project proposal through participatory processes based on the results of the baseline data.