Problem Definition

Mounting evidence of damage to human health, poverty and the environment have made government and development partners focused attention at international community to eliminate a category of substances referred to as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which is being used by farmers in crop production.
POPs are industrial chemicals (pesticides) derived from unwanted by-product of industrial processes. They have the ability to resist degradation in water, food crops, soil and living organism including man.

Agro-chemicals/Pesticide uses have assumed an increasingly significant role in the production of food and prevention of vector borne diseases in Ghana. The situation is not different in the offinso and Akumadan (a newly created district in 2007) districts of Ashanti Region.

There are 2 main problems in the project area;
1. Most farmers are not aware that some agro-chemical they use contains POPs and
2. Inappropriate use of agro-chemicals in the Offinso and Akumadan (a newly created district in 2007) districts especially NKENKASU, AFRACHO, and AKUMADAN vegetable growing areas.

NKENKASU, AFRANCHO and AKUMADAN are farming communities located on the main road on the Offinso – Akumadan road in the Offinso North constituency.
The inhabitants are mainly farmers and cultivate the following crops; tomatoes, garden eggs, pepper, okro, cabbage, palm– trees, Maize, yam, onion and cassava.

However, inappropriate uses of agro – chemical and bad farming practices have affected their gross yield of farm produce. Most farmers practiced slash and burn method in their seasonal farming.
Additionally, some farmers are not aware that some agro – chemical they use contains POPs substances which are harmful to human health when eaten. It is also banned in Ghana and all stakeholders are support to help the campaign for the elimination of POPs in these farming communities.

It was realized that some farmers in the NKENKASU-AKUMADAN area are victims of infertility, associated ailments especially among the youth.

Low crop yield is experienced and increasingly leading to famine, poverty and rural urban migration.
An annual bush fire is also very alarming in the area.
It is as a result of these emanating effects, that EOFRHS have collaborated with the 5 communities to develop this project to continuous the promotion of organic farming among vegetable farmers/groups.

The project falls within GEF/SGP focal area of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and aims to create awareness about the effects of POPs use in the 2 districts integrate organic farming and indigenous knowledge in pest control and management, promote ecotourism as livelihood, and soil improvement technologies.

The purpose of the project is to promote sustainable usage of agro-chemicals and integrated pest control management systems through ago-forestry interventions in the NKENKASU-AKUMADAN area.

2.2 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 Nkenkasu-Akumadan communities.
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 Nkenkasu-Akumadan communities 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 Offinso and Akomadan district.
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 Nkenkasu-Akumadan communities
• To learn issues that can contribute to the food security and increased incomes of beneficiaries.
1.6 Identify and register all vegetable farmers in Nkenkasu-Akumadan communities
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 EOFRHS
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 Ofinso Akomadan District to identify markets for organic products