WUZDA Ghana in 2024 organized a series of community sessions across 10 project communities aimed at addressing the challenges surrounding organic vegetable value chain production.
The sessions also sought to educate farmers on the safety standards to consider especially during the production and storage of vegetables, to reduce food insecurity.
The sessions were attended by key stakeholders including farmers, agricultural experts, government/ public officials, Civil Society Organizations/ Non-Government Organizations, and consumer advocacy groups.
Key emerging issues
Lack of Farmer Capacity and The Need for Training
Many farmers indicated that they were ready to switch to organic farming, however, they have limited knowledge of the various standard techniques, including organic pest control, composting, and crop rotation.
In light of the available information, the Agric Extension Officer in the Sagnarigu Municipality, Mr. Jibreel intervened, offering some ideas on organic farming practices, and helping the farmers understand how to transition their farms into producing organic vegetables.
Policy Gaps
Agriculture stakeholders in Ghana seem to be divided on whether there is a clear policy guideline on organic farming, which impedes the efforts of advocates over the years on how education for farmers along the value chain to understand certain areas can be carried out.
Some of the areas in which the farmers need education and guidance include the effects of using some biopesticides, the labeling requirements for smallholder farmers, etc.
Some participant farmers were concerned about potential penalties for unintentionally violating regulations as a reaction to the implementation of best practices related to the organic farming value chain.
Mr. Salman, a farmer and input provider, indicated that farmers need to be involved in developing safety standards and guidelines since they are at the receiving end of the process.
Consumers’ Lack of Trust Calling for Education
Consumer demand for organic produce has grown over the years. Meanwhile, there is still a low understanding of organic vegetables and their advantages.
While some buyers believe that organic simply means pesticide-free, others want to see clear evidence of carting the produce from the farm to the market before they are convinced it is organic.
Campaigns such as the sessions organized by WUZDA Ghana have helped educate the public on the organic farming value chain safety requirements and the assurances of implementation by the farmers, reinforcing consumer trust in the local farmer’s ability to produce under these requirements.
Solutions Medium to Long Term
Through the continuous engagements, it emerged that organic vegetable production can only thrive if all stakeholders agree and commit to investing in the skills and capacity of farmers on one hand and enacting and reviewing policy on the other to regulate the standards required in the organic vegetable value chain.
The stakeholders consist of farmers, consumers, experts and advocates in the agricultural sector, the CSO and NGO communities, and policymakers.
WUZDA Ghana’s Training Coordinator and M&E Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Abdul Ganiyu, after the sessions pledged the organization’s commitment to leading in these engagements through advocacy, to create a voice for the farmers, to reach out to the Department of Agriculture, which provides an interface for accessing technical assistance, agricultural information and training to identify and improve market access.
A year after the engagements, many local farmers have successfully transitioned to organic vegetable production.
They now sell their produce under a new local organic brand, certified under the revised safety standards.
Consumer demand for their produce has increased, which translates into improved health outcomes for the community, as well as increased income from sustainable farming practices.
As it stands now, WUZDA Ghana and project communities have navigated the challenges involved in organic vegetable production and are on the path to ensuring sustainable organic vegetable farming.
WUZDA Ghana 