Abesim is one of the key urban areas of the Sunyani Municipality and is the major vegetable producing area supply raw vegetable to Sunyani Municipality. In the last few years the use of agro-chemicals, especially pesticides, has increased in the area. Pesticide use has assumed an increasingly significant role in the production of vegetables, and prevention of vector borne diseases in Municipality. The most challenging issue is that farmers do not know that some chemicals contain the POPs substance, and they use them anyhow to the extent of sometimes tasting the chemicals to test the potency of the mixtures.

The continuous application of agro-chemicals is having negative effects on the vegetation and human beings. The continuous use of chemicals (especially herbicides) reduces bio-diversity by causing the death of micro-organisms and the loss of plant and animal life. The lives of the vegetable farmers are always at risk and most of the male farmers complain of skin diseases and impotency. Besides, after the constant use of inorganic fertilizer the yield reduces whenever less than the quantity normally used or it is not used at all. Above all, these

2.0 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND INTENDED RESULTS

2.1 Objectives of the project

The main objective of this project is to raise public awareness on Persistent Organic Pollutant and promote integrated pest management techniques in vegetable production in order to minimize the use of persistent organic chemicals, and safeguard the health of vegetable consumers and consumers in the Sunyani Metropolis.
2.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of the proposal are:

1. To raise awareness on the effects of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs),
2. To support the introduction of Integrated Pest Control Methods in vegetable production

2.2 Project Outputs

OUTPUT/RESULTS

o At least 50 agro-chemical sellers in and 80 vegetable farmers in Sunyani Municipality and Abesim traditional area sensitized on the proper/approved agro-chemicals in the market
o At least 80 farmers trained in safety agro-Chemical application education (SAAE).
o At least 100 farmers supported in integrates pest management in vegetables production

3.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES

OUTPUT 1.0 AT LEAST 50 AGRO-CHEMICAL SELLERS AND 80 FARMERS SENSITIZED ON THE PROPER/APPROVED AGRO-CHEMICALS IN THE MARKET
Planned Activities
1.1 Identify and all agric-chemical sellers in the Sunyani metropolis.
1.2 Form and train project management committees in all five communities
1.3 Liaise with Environmental Protection Agency to organize series of training workshops on the proper handling of chemicals and exposed them to identification and isolation POPs.
1.4 In collaboration with EPA and Chemical Sellers Association, organize weekly radio discussions on major FM stations in the district to educate the general public on the harmful effects in the wrong use of chemicals.
1.5 Conduct at least 2 environmental education program/workshops on PoPs focusing on Policymakers, Academicians, Researchers , hotels, restaurants food vendors and institutions. The purpose of the stakeholders meetings and focus group discussions are;
• To develop all embodied work plan including beneficiaries priorities for the effective execution of the project
• To launch the project in the district,
• Advocate for the proper use of agro chemicals to reduce the incidence of the POP pollution in the Sunyani Metropolis and
• To learn issues that can contribute to the food security and increased incomes of beneficiaries.
1.6 Identify and register all vegetable farmers in Abesim district
1.7 Organise focus group discussions for vegetable farmers on organic farming, the proper use of agrochemicals, bush fire management, agro forestry schemes suitable in the area and sound environmental practices.

OUTPUT 2 AT LEAST 80 FARMERS TRAINED IN SAFETY AGRO-CHEMICAL APPLICATION EDUCATION

Planned Activities

2.1 Develop information, Education and Communication materials
2.2 Identify and select 80 vegetable farmers to form 10 separate Agrochemical Application Educators (SAAEs). [Each group would be represented by not less than 8 members with consideration of gender fairness, non-tribal barriers and discrimination].
2.3 Organize training workshops in organic farming practices for the SAAE farmers and expose them to strategies to reduce POPs substances in the environment, advocacy and lobbying skills.
2.4 Support SAAEs to undertake peer-to-peer education among the vegetable producers in their localities. [SAAEs activities are added value to existing community structures and their role is a complementary effort to educating farmers and lobbying for the disuse of POPs chemicals]. Their activities will be monitored by both community leaders and project officers of EPAG
2.5 Train 80 farmers in the preparation of organic manure, and the use of neem extracts as pesticides.

OUTPUT 3 AT LEAST 100 FARMERS SUPPORTED IN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN VEGETABLES PRODUCTION

Planned Activities
3.1 Support each trained group to set up integrated pest management demonstration farms
3.2 Collect relevant data, analyze and document on IPM into manuals and video for teaching
3.3 Support each group with adequate seedlings, organic agricultural knowledge and distribution of inputs to farmers as revolving loans to undertake IPM. [The loans will not be in a form of cash rather, farmers will be assessed base on their group/ individual performance and commitments].
3.4 Liaise with MOFA to provide farm extension services
3.5 Liaise with MOFA and hoteliers in Sunyani to identify markets for organic products