INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH

Story by Michael Kenetey Kofi

A durbar of farmers and other stakeholders in the Agric value chain has been held at Moseaso near Anyinam in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region. 

The event, organised by the Plant Protection and Regulatory Service Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was under the theme; “Protecting Plants Health in a challenging world”. The durbar forms part of activities to mark the day.  

In his welcome address, the District Chief Executive for the Area, Kwabena Nkansah Panyin demonstrated his gratitude to the organisers for choosing the district for the celebration of such an important day in the life of Ghanaian farmers.

He said it is a good decision for the United Nations General Assembly to set this year aside to take a critical look at the health of plants with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of healthy plants for achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Mr. Nkansah Panyin said plants provide the core basis of life for humanbeings and the single most important pillar of human life, hence the need to protect them. 

He noted in the past, Ghanaians enjoyed fresh fruits and vegetables without the fear of contamination, infections or disease but this is not the case today. 

According to Mr Nkansah Panyin, about 40 percent of food crops get rotten annually as a result of plant pest and other diseases leaving millions of people without adequate food. 

He observed that the development is seriously affecting Agriculture which is the primary source of income for rural communities and small holder farmers.

 He emphasised that this is the reason why the government has provided 53 million Ghana cedis to support the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) to help protect plant health such as the Fall Army Worm invasion and other diseases. 

He said the government has also employed some two thousand agric extension officers to help the plant protecting activities. 

The Eastern Regional Director of Agriculture, Henry Crensil Junior who spoke on the effect of climate change on plant health and some challenges the agric sector is facing in the region said climate change has serious consequences on plants.

 Therefore there is the need for all stakeholders in agric to support efforts at protecting plant health. Mr Crensil said apart from the effect of climate change on plants, the Eastern Region has a sizeable number of farm lands that have been destroyed by the activities of illegal miners which is seriously affecting the ecosystem and the health of plants. 

He said irresponsible use of pesticides is also another issue which needs to be addressed. Mr Crentsil revealed that one major crop the regional directorate is determined to protect is the TARO Plant locally known as ‘BROBBEY’ which is gradually becoming extinct. 

He pointed out that with the help of the Plant Research Institute in the region, they have come out with a research to protect the Taro Variety. 

The Director at the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Felicia Ansah-Amprofi described the theme for the celebration as appropriate and resonate with the many interventions directed at combating the challenges and difficulties posed by climate change, food insecurity, poverty and environmental menace. 

She said ensuring and sustaining plant health is a huge task because the challenges militating against plant health are enormous notable among which is the introduction, spread and establishment of pest and disease through movement of goods and people in the international trade value chain. 

Dr Amprofi observed that over reliance and indiscriminate use of pesticides lead to development of resistance by insects to pesticides. This she said contributes largely to plant pest and diseases which results in loss of crops.

Source: GBC Sunrise