Affected seedlings wither and die. 8 (or dry) tomato blight (Alternaria solani) Is a major disease during the rainy season. It is caused by a soil-borne and air borne fungus. Symptoms are brownish-black angular spots with concentric circles on the leaflets. Black or brown sunken lesions develop on stems and fruits 9 Late blight (Phytophtora infestans) Symptoms show as necrotic spots on leaves which enlarge rapidly to become water-soaked areas on leaves and fruits. Infestation leads to defoliation and fruit blotches. 10 Rots and cankers (Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp.) Rots and cankers are caused by fungi and bacteria that infect tomato stems and roots. Root and stem rot fungus is present in soil and attacks roots, causing collars to rot. The bacteria that attack plants cause blight and cankers of stems, leaves and fruits. 11 Tomato yellow leave curl virus (TYLCV) It is the most serious disease of tomatoes. Transmitted by white flies feeding on tomato leaves. Plants infected by disease are stunted and turn yellow, and leaves curl. Affected flowers and fruits drop off. 12 Wilts (Fusarium oxysporum) Caused by a soil-borne fungus that attacks roots through small wounds (made during transplanting or resulting from nematode attack). Plant wilt from lower leaves and leaves turn yellow and die; later whole plant wilts and dies. 4.2 IPM Strategy for Pest Control The integrated pest control is the adopted strategy for the fight against pests in Ghana. However, the use of the integrated combat is not widespread despite the efforts undertaken. The use of pesticides is increasing in spite of the high cost of the products relative to the financial capacity of majority of farmers. Research Institutions in have had some good results with regard to the efficient use of products, the alternatives. In actual fact, several institutes (Crops Research Institute, Faculty of Agriculture/KNUST, University of Ghana, Legon, Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) have conducted projects concerning the integrated management of pests in several operations (maize, cowpea, mangoes, lemon, rice, cucumber, cotton etc), the development of a control system for the use of pesticides for communities practicing urban related agriculture, IPM Kit development, demonstration and transfer of technology in IPM.
spp) (Pre-harvest – nursery problem) Treat seed with hot water before planting Sow seed thinly or thin seeding when they appear crowed Do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer or too much irrigation water Practice solarisation (4-6 weeks) before sowing seeds. Sterilize soil for seed boxes for nursing. Drain off excess water Improve aeration by stirring soil Drench soil with approved copper fungicide follow instruction on the Burn diseased seedlings. 8 Wilt disease (Fusarium semisectum) (Pre-harvest – seedling to fruiting stage) Do not locate seedbeds on a land with a previous history of fusarium wilt Raise soil pH by liming where soil is acidic Control root not nematodes Avoid application of excessive nitrogen Use resistant varieties if present Treat seed with recommended the crop with fungicide will not control the disease once Plant in neutral soils for seedbed irrigate plants long rotation D. Okra No. Major pests and Diseases/ Stage Recommended cultural practice and direct interventions 1 Aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae) (Pre-harvest – all stages) •Conserve natural enemies such as lady bird beetles, hoverfly, lacewings, parasitic wasps like Aphidius spp (mummified-brown, dry and inflated as a result of having been parasitized by a small wasp). • Rain and overhead irrigation discourages aphides. • Spray with soap solution or neem 2 Cotton stainers (Dysdercus spp.) and other sucking bugs (Nezara – reproductive stage) • Usually no May be controlled biologically by chickens or Neem seed extracts can be used in severe After AESA, use fast acting pesticide in case of heavy infestations. •Trap nymphs with split kapok or baobab seeds then destroy mechanically nymphs and reduce number 3 Flea beetles (Nisotra spp., Podagrica spp.) (Pre-harvest – early vegetative stage) •Ensure good agricultural practices (fertilization, irrigation, soil management) to okra to out grow damage Stir around plants to expose eggs and in the soil to predators, e.g. ants, birds. Control only if it is damaging seedlings and young plants severely with soil treatment recommended
Table 6 Pesticides Import Statistics 2007 – 2010 YEAR 2007 2008 2009 2010 Formulated Pesticide Product Solids (Mt) Liquid (Lt) Solids (Mt) Liquid (Lt) Solids (Mt) Liquid (Lt) Solids (Mt) Liquid (Lt) Insecticides 5.900 969,944 273.000 3,269,000 60.430 3,388,275 40.666 3,028,724 Herbicides 500.170 1,581,190 1,429.000 6,102,000 998.147 8,981,102 323.580 13,161,585 Fungicides 588.558 365,100 1,561.000 179,000 325.932 947,656 Nematicides 287.030 - - - - - - - Others e.g. Plant growth regulators, wood preservatives etc 62.700 34,464 - - - - 7.096 5,061 Totals 1,444.358 2,950,698 3,263.000 9,550,000 1,384.509 13,317,033 614.268 16,893,283 Grand Total 4,395.056 12,813.000 14,701.542 17,507.551 Source: EPA/PPRSD
Table 8 Integrated Pest and Pesticide Management Action Plan Impact issue / Pest & pesticide threat/ risk Mitigation Measures Implementation tool Expected result Monitoring indicators Key implementing actors Pollution of water resources and aquatic life Control and supervise pesticide use by farmers Adoption of IPM approaches/ techniques Farmers trained in IPM techniques Number of farmers trained, Training records DAES- MoFA regional officers Proper disposal of pesticide containers by Pesticide container collection and disposal plan Pesticide container disposal plan developed and implemented Number of farmers/ resellers aware of pesticide container disposal plan PIU/MoFA/EPA Monitor pesticides in resources Environmental quality monitoring plan (linkage with Project ESMP) Pesticide concentration in water resources Levels of pesticides in water resources GIDA Desk/ EPA Public health concerns from or water related diseases in project areas under irrigation Design appropriate irrigation systems and ensure functional operation system (removing aquatic vegetation, lining canals with cement or plastic, regularly fluctuating water levels, periodic rapid drying of irrigation canals) a) Adoption of environmentally friendly irrigation system designs; b) Selection of experienced and proven contractors and consultants for project designs and construction; c) Effective operational maintenance system a) Well functioning and friendly irrigation system; b) infrequent breakdown of system Number of times system breakdown in a given year GIDA Monitor malaria and bilharzias cases in project area Hospital/clinical records of malaria cases in project area cases before and during project established in cases during project implementation Ministry of (MoH)/Ghana Health (GHS); and clinics project areas Project malaria and Frequency of Ministry of
Make mosquito treated bed nets available at affordable prices to farmers and local community members bilharzia control plan increase in cases under project reported cases among farmers and communities (MoH)/Ghana Health (GHS); and clinics project areas Improper use of pesticides by farmers and farm assistants Educate farmers and farm assistants on proper use of pesticides and pesticide use hazards Pesticide hazards and use guide manual or leaflet for the project (include simple pictorial presentations) Proper use of pesticides by farmers and farm assistants Number of cases of pesticide poisoning occurring under the project a) GHS/local and clinics Control and supervise pesticide use on farms Adoption of IPM approaches/ techniques Farmers trained in IPM techniques Number of farmers trained, Training records PPRSD-MoFA, DAES- MoFA regional officers Monitor pesticide residue in crops Random sampling procedure for crops and storage products Pesticide residue in crops within acceptable limit/MRL 1. Levels and trend of pesticide residue in sampled Number of times exported crops are rejected due to pesticide residues Ghana Board PPRSD-MoFA Poisoning from improper disposal of pesticide containers 1. Educate farmers, farm assistants and communities on health hazards associated with use of pesticide containers 1. Pesticide hazards and use guide manual or leaflet for the project Farmers, farm assistants, FBOs, local communities educated on pesticide health hazards Number of of pesticide poisoning through use of pesticide containers; Number of farmers returning empty pesticide containers at collection 1. a) GHS/local and clinics 2. Pesticide container Pesticide 2. PPRSD/EPA
points; Number of farmers, 2. Properly dispose pesticide containers cleaning and disposal plan container cleaning and disposal FBOs, resellers trained in proper cleaning of pesticide containers plan developed and implemented Production and market losses from fly pest and armyworm outbreaks Educated and farmers to adopt good agricultural practices (GAP) Adoption of IPM techniques/ approaches 1. Farmers trained in IPM techniques and GAP 1. Number of farmers trained, Training records 2. Number of times exported crops rejected due to fruit fly Production losses from crop pests PPRSD-MoFA/ MoFA- Regional officers Establish pest surveillance system Early detection and warning system in place Zero or minimal fruit fly/ armyworm cases Incidence of fruit fly /armyworm cases recorded PPRSD-MoFA; MoFA- DAES/Regional officers Apply EPA approved and PPRSD recommended pesticide if necessary Inspection of pesticides at farm/storage gate to use (Project Policy) Applied pesticides registered and approved by key stakeholders and in conformity with IPM principles Records of pesticides applied at each farm PPRSD-MoFA; MoFA- MoFA Officers Threat from other crop pests and diseases Educated and train farmers to adopt good agricultural practices Adoption of IPM techniques/ approaches Farmers trained in IPM techniques and GAP 1. Number of farmers trained, Training records 2. Incidence of crop MoFA- Regional officers
(GAP) Production losses from crop pests Apply EPA approved and PPRSD recommended pesticide if necessary Inspection of pesticides at farm/storage gate prior to use (Project Policy) Applied pesticides registered and approved by key stakeholders and in conformity with IPM principles Records of pesticides applied at each farm PPRSD-MoFA; MoFA- MoFA Officers Impact on post harvest losses due to 1. Provide adequate and proper storage facilities Post-harvest loss reduction plan based on IPM techniques in place a.) Post harvest losses avoided or Applied pesticides registered and approved by key stakeholders and in conformity with IPM storage; Number and condition of storage facilities in use of farmers in IPM for post MoFA-AES 2. Monitor incidence of post harvest pests principles Number of of post harvest pests 3. Confirm status and integrity of pesticides at storage gate prior to use Inspection of pesticides at gate prior to use (Project Policy) Records of pesticides applied at storage sites/ rooms MoFA- DAES/ MoFA Regional Officers Abuses Identify all Only approved and a.)Company of
DAES/ in pesticide supply and sales pesticide distributors and resellers interested in providing services and products to farmers the Project policy for all interested distributors and resellers under project under project dealers and supply registration of license/permit to operate in pesticides c)Evidence of location and contacts of of EPA Confirm status and integrity of pesticides supplied under project a.) All pesticides are to be in the original well labeled pesticide containers prior to No decanting of pesticides under this project c) Inspection of pesticides at farm gate to use a) Only approved and registered pesticides used under project b)Banned pesticides avoided c) Fake and expired pesticides avoided d)Integrity of pesticide guaranteed at farm gate a) List of pesticides supplied and used in line with Ghana EPA and USEPA list of registered and approved pesticides b) Cases of pesticides found in non-original containers c) inspection records for pesticides at farm gate prior to use MoFA- DAES/ MoFA Regional Officers Ban big pesticide containers to minimize decanting cases Decanting policy (No decanting of pesticides under project) All pesticides delivered for use are in the original containers Cases of pesticides found in non-original containers MoFA- DAES/ MoFA Regional Officers General health and safety of and Educate farmers to adopt GAP based upon IPM techniques; and do not use IPM techniques with emphasis on cultural and biological forms of Compliance with national IPM policy and WB policy on Pest/ pesticide management Number of farmers trained in IPM techniques; Number of farmers implementing IPM on their farms Frequency WB/ MoFA Regional Officers
hazards chemical pesticides unless advised by PPRSD pest control of chemical pesticides usage Provide PPEs to farmers/ farm assistants for pesticide use in the fields Health and safety policy for farm work Farmers and accompanying dependants (children) protected against pesticide exposure in the fields Quantities and types of PPEs supplied or made available under the project MoFA Educate farmers/ farm assistants in the proper use of pesticides Pesticide hazards and use guide manual or leaflet for the project (include simple pictorial Farmers know and use pesticides properly; pesticide hazards and use guide leaflet or flyers produced Number of farmers trained in pesticide use; Number of farmers having copies of the pesticide hazard and use flyers; Properly dispose obsolete and unused pesticides Obsolete and unused pesticide disposal plan obsolete and unused pesticide disposal plan prepared and implemented Relationship between pesticide supply and usage Educate farmers to obtain or purchase quantities of pesticides required at a time and to avoid long term storage of pesticides Pesticide use policy/plan Only pesticides needed are purchased; long term storage of pesticides by farmers avoided Relationship between pesticide supply and usage Provide emergency response to pesticide Emergency response plan Pesticide accidents and emergencies managed under the project Number of pesticide accidents emergencies and Poisoning Control