SOO Annex H.i - IFSSP Final Report.pdf

FINAL REPORT

MAY 1, 2016 TO JANUARY 31, 2019

Submitted on March 2, 2019 ii

Prepared under Associate Cooperative Agreement No. AID-OAA-A-13-00053, Improving Food Safety Systems

Project.

IESC Contact: Kayla Sainato

Senior Program Manager

International Executive Service Corps (IESC)

1900 M Street NW, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 589 2630

Email: ksainato@iesc.org iii

List of Abbreviations iv

1.0 Executive Summary and Summary of Implementation Experience 1

2.0 Sustainability Arrangements 2

3.0 Project Activities and Accomplishments 4

4.0 Summary/Analysis of Data on Performance and Impact Indicators 14

5.0 Major Lessons Learned 19

6.0 Recommendations for Future F2F Projects 22

Annex A: Standard F2F Performance and Impact Indicator Data Tables 1-4 23

Annex B: Custom Indicator Tables 23

Annex C: PERSUAP Reporting Tables 24

Annex D: Volunteer Assignment Summaries 28

Annex E: Host Organization Summaries 53

Annex F: Confirmation of Compliance with Requirements for M&E, Recruitment

Reference Checks, and PERSUAP Provisions 68

Annex G: PERSUAP Reports 70

Annex H: Success Stories 70

Annex I: Volunteer Trip Reports 70

Annex J: Training and Technical Materials 70

Annex K: Updates to Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance Farmer-to-Farmer

Special Program Support Project Final Report 71 iv

BBS Bacterial Black Spot

DAES Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services

EU European Union

F2F Farmer-to-Farmer

FBO Farmer-based organization

FDA Food and Drugs Authority

FFS Farmer Field School

GFSI Global Food Safety Initiative

GAP Good agricultural practices

GAVEX Ghana Association of Vegetable Exporters

GEPA Ghana Export Promotion Authority

IESC International Executive Service Corps

IFSSP Improving Food Safety Systems Project

IPPC International Plant Protection and Convention

IPM Integrated pest management

MoFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture

NPPO National Plant Protection Organization

PERSUAP Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan

PPRSD Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate

SOW Scope of work

SPS Sanitary and phytosanitary

ToT Training of trainers

USAID United Sates Agency for International Development

VEGA Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance

WIAD Women in Agricultural Development

WTO-SPS World Trade Organization-Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement

The International Executive Service Corps (IESC) is pleased to submit this final report for Associate Cooperative Agreement No. AID-OAA-A-13-00053, Improving Food Safety Systems Project (IFSSP) in Ghana, funded the United States Agency of International Development (USAID). This report represents a summary of program activities and accomplishments from inception on May 1, 2016 through project close on January 31, 2019. IFSSP was initiated through the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Special Program Support Project (SPSP). IESC was the prime award holder and implementer at conclusion of IFSSP from November 2018 through January 2019.

The ultimate goal of IFSSP was to improve access to markets for Ghana’s farmers. In collaboration with government stakeholders and other partners, through technical assistance and training provided by volunteer experts, IFSSP successfully strengthened the food safety compliance system for Ghanaian fruits and vegetables, improved export opportunities, and generated market linkages through three key components:

1. Development of a produce traceability system to identify and trace when and where food safety and quality problems are introduced—at growing, harvesting, processing, or packaging.

1. Improvement of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) practices along the mango and chili pepper value chains.

2. Coordination of efforts for food safety stakeholders to support improvements in certification, monitoring, and inspection for both the public and private sector.

Over the course of the 32-month implementation period, IFSSP, along with our partners in Ghana, achieved these critical results:

Executed 63 volunteer assignments, leveraging 1,294 days of service with an economic value of $608,180.

Delivered an advanced traceability platform, compliant with ISO 9001:2000, and equipped, trained, and piloted the technology with 13 Ghanaian exporters, and successfully shipped 159 metric tons of traceable produce to international markets;

Trained 3,642 farmers, including 959 women, and completed training of trainers (ToT) with 667 agricultural extension and policy officers on SPS practices in Ghana;

Supported improvements in equipment, processes, training, and public-private sector coordination that contributed to the lifting of a three-year export ban on Ghanaian vegetables imposed by the European Union (EU).

Contributed to significant reductions in the reported number of interceptions from Ghana to the EU from 330 rejections due to the presence of harmful organisms in export shipments in 2014 to only 45 interceptions in 2018.

Improved adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) by 2,657 farmers or 73% of those trained by the project.

IFSSP’s sustainability approach was achieved through market-driven interventions and training that helped farmers meet the quality and safety demands of both domestic and export markets. This approach was reinforced by the introduction of new state of the art systems for market actors, such as the pilot traceability system, and inspection protocols and equipment intended to reduce the number of interceptions and rejections for Ghanaian horticulture. Improved coordination and increased communication between public sector stakeholders, including Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), MoFA’s Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), Ghana Export and Promotion Authority (GEPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), supported growth in trade by raising food safety regulations to the high standards demanded by international markets. IFSSP also built the organizational and management capacity of stakeholders, tapped into the knowledge of local experts and strategically adapted activities to respond to the dynamic needs of the horticulture sector in Ghana.

PPRSD inspection officer using new tools provided by IFSSP at the airport.

Component 1, Traceability: IFSSP delivered a sustainable traceability system that successfully piloted and is now ready to be scaled by market actors. The sustainable development of the system included:

Stakeholder education on the relevance and need for an internationally compliant traceability system.

Stakeholder validation to ensure buy-in through the development of the system.

Technical oversight provided by the contracted international firm, GeoTraceability, to design, build, deliver, and train stakeholders in the system’s use.

Delivery of tools, training and supplies to both public and private sector stakeholders to ensure continued use of the traceability system.

Mobilization of local volunteer experts to support the piloting of the traceability system, who can also continue to support exporters and producers to use the system.

IFSSP negotiated GeoTraceability’s commitment to continuing to maintain the system and provide remote technical support to the 13 exporters using the traceability tool, and their respective outgrowers, actively using the system from February through June 2019. During this period, PPRSD can access the system to view comprehensive data collected and produce traceability reports to improve inspection and export processes. The six-month window will provide time for PPRSD to engage development partners like USAID, German Society for International Development, and private sector actors in Ghana to consider providing financial support for the continued improvement and expansion of horticulture export sector for Ghana. This support should include certification, traceability, produce marketing, buyer missions, and SPS training moving forward. IFSSP also confirmed GeoTraceability’s commitment upon request to engage key horticultural actors, such as PPRSD, the MoFA Taskforce, GEPA, and Green Label Foundation, to co-create donor supported or other commercial models for the sustainable use of the system.

Component 2, SPS Compliance: IFSSP emphasized the market-driven demands of exporters, regulators, and, ultimately, consumers in guiding improvements along the targeted horticulture value chains of mango and chili pepper. To create sustainable change, the project built the capacity of district departments of agriculture and their frontline

Traceability representative of exporter uploads data with IFSSP support.

agriculture extension officers as a strategy for transferring knowledge to large groups of farmers. At the farmer-level, IFSSP also improved the capacity of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and cooperatives to provide market-driven training and services to their own members. To ensure sustainability of these efforts, IFSSP, through the support of PPRSD, developed and piloted a ‘Good Agricultural Practices Training Manual for Chili Pepper Production’. IFSSP printed and distributed 1,500 copies to 11 District Departments of Agriculture in the projects target districts. Through this distribution, approximately 330,000 persons are expected to utilize the manual to improve production. The manual will serve as a continuing reference for farmers, agricultural extension officers, exporters, food safety regulators and donors in recommended practices for chili pepper production. Ultimately, IFSSP is confident that the trainings and systems developed by the project will continued to be utilized after the project’s end.

Component 3, Stakeholder Coordination: IFSSP increased the capacity of both the private and public sector to understand roles and fulfill responsibilities to ensure Ghana is adhering to international food safety standards and building robust systems. IFSSP also demonstrated how actors can work together successfully through the piloting of the traceability system and the coordinated efforts to lift the EU ban. Ultimately, at the end of the project, IFSSP provided stakeholders with recommendations regarding best practices in coordination to further support these efforts with the Plant Protection Council acting as the enforcement authority in Ghana to sustain the momentum and encourage growth in high quality horticultural exports.

Over the life of the project, IFSSP executed activities that led to the improvement of food safety compliance for the Ghanaian horticulture sector.

3.1 COMPONENT ONE: PRODUCE TRACEABILITY SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

3.1.1 PUBLIC PRIVATE COLLABORATION TO A DEVELOP

STREAMLINED TRACEABILITY FRAMEWORK

Public-private collaboration was the foundation for development of IFSSP’s traceability system framework and tool. To ensure stakeholder collaboration, IFSSP executed the following activities:

Convened a traceability development committee comprised of public and private sector stakeholders, including PPRSD, GEPA, FDA, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Association of Vegetable Exporters (GAVEX) and exporters.

Defined and validated the traceability system’s development with stakeholders and international best practice at all stages.

Executed a business modelling exercise with stakeholders to determine a viable economic model to sustain the system then recommended scenarios for expansion of the system.

In addition to these activities, IFSSP also built the capacity of bodies such as the MoFA Taskforce and the Ghana Green Label Foundation to continue the work of managing collaboration of the public and private sectors for traceability oversight.

3.1.2 BRING NATIONAL TRACEABILITY SYSTEM INTO COMPLIANCE

WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Throughout the process of designing, developing, and piloting the traceability system, IFSSP ensured the system met or exceeded international standards consistent with global best practices. This was necessary to meet the quality standards of export markets for Ghanaian produce starting with the EU. IFSSP developed an electronic traceability system that was compliant with ISO 9001:2000. This standard requires that the traceability system tracks horticulture products along value chains and supports quality by establishing and maintaining the identity and status of the product as well as maintaining records through serial and batch numbers from plot to costumer. This system enables farmers and exporters to record activities from planting, harvesting, receiving, packing and export and assigns unique serial numbers to individual consignments.

IFSSP local volunteer expert shares sustainable business models for traceability system with stakeholders.

To ensure that stakeholders were equipped with the knowledge required to certify compliance, IFSSP provided specific technical training to PPRSD and FDA helping staff to fulfill their mandates.

Overall, this was achieved through the integration of applicable international standards into trainings and technical assistance. IFSSP also instructed PPRSD staff and inspectors in the standards of the World Trade Organization-Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (WTO-SPS), International Plant Protection and Convention (IPPC), and the European Union.

To consolidate learning, IFSSP conducted a mock pre-audit assessment of Ghana’s SPS compliance system and identified areas to strengthen before the EU audit in September 2017. IFSSP also introduced new training modules and instructed staff of Ghana’s FDA on two very important topics: packhouse inspection and certification and pest identification and management. For packhouse certification, IFSSP trained FDA staff on the PrimusGFS standard, which is benchmarked against the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), an industry-driven global collaboration to advance food safety. With the project’s support, PPRSD and FDA inspectors are now able to identify pests correctly and navigate the certification process according to applicable compliance standards.

3.1.3 TOOLS AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO IMPLEMENT TRACEABILITY

SYSTEM

IFSSP procured the critical infrastructure and tools needed for the functioning of a full and comprehensive produce traceability system. To develop the traceability system platform and necessary infrastructure, IFSSP contracted the services of GeoTraceability for design, development and piloting. IFSSP and GeoTraceability conducted assessments to validate the needs of stakeholders, developed a system blueprint and deployed a system.

IFSSP local volunteer expert demonstrate inspection best practices to FDA officers.

To extend the impact of the system and build local technical capacity to utilize the traceability tool and functions, IFSSP and GeoTraceability trained three local volunteer experts in the system features.

These three local volunteer experts completed eight-month assignments and directly supported 13 exporters through the full cycle of the system launch and user pilot. Through these assignments, IFSSP trained 46 market beneficiaries in the use of the traceability mobile application (Gobi app) to collect field data and the GTS pack house software to receive, pack and evacuate harvested produce for export.

IFSSP also procured tools and supplies for both the private and public sector actors using the traceability system. The project procured five tablets and one laptop for PPRSD’s to support PPRSD’s ability to issue phyto-certificates and for PPRSD to interface with the traceability system as an administrator. In the final year, IFSSP supplied label printers, laptops and tablets to ten committed exporters to enhance the pilot and to ensure their continued used of the traceability system.

Traceability System Data Management Overview

Traceability System Components Overview

In response to requests from PPRSD, and as confirmed by recommendations from experts mobilized by the project, IFSSP provided inspection equipment to PPRSD to improve the quality of inspections conducted at key points of export, especially Kotoka International Airport in Accra where the bulk of horticultural exports exit Ghana. The equipment procured included ten stereo microscopes with USB cameras, 30 entomology dissection kits, 30 microscope pens, 30 heavy grade flashlights, and one digital camera. To ensure the sustainable use of this equipment, IFSSP mobilized a volunteer expert from the University of Ghana to train 42 SPS inspectors on the effective use, handling, and maintenance of the SPS inspection equipment for efficient insect pest and disease identification and control.

Ultimately, IFSSP’s support is intrinsically linked to the outcome that Ghana is now equipped and able to meet international standards through proper and informed use of critical tools and technology.

3.2 COMPONENT TWO: VALUE CHAIN SANITARY/PHYTOSANITARY

IMPROVEMENT

IFSSP improved the country’s systems for SPS compliance along the targeted value chains of chili peppers and mangoes through trainings and technical assistance.

3.2.1 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT AND VALUE CHAIN

ASSESSMENTS

To ensure relevant and scalable SPS interventions, IFSSP conducted a series of assessments to identify the structural and/or systemic causes of the SPS challenges faced by farmers, processers, and exports in targeted value chains in 2016. Based on the findings of these assessments and the field validation by project staff, IFSSP developed an SPS improvement package that consisted of prioritized training modules. For chili pepper and vegetable producers, IFSSP prioritized training in agronomy, integrated pest management (IPM), record keeping and organizational development. For mango producers, IFSSP prioritized training in mango bacterial black spot (BBS) control, post-harvest handling and organizational development.

3.2.2 DEVELOP AND INTRODUCE MODEL SPS IMPROVEMENT

SYSTEMS

In FY17, project volunteers worked with host organizations to pilot cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable approaches to SPS improvements. Then, in FY18, IFSSP developed knowledge products and transferred them to Ghanaian trainers, including a GAP training manual for chili pepper production and a mango BBS control manual.

IFSSP mobilized 40 volunteer experts to deliver training to chili pepper and mango value chain actors. IFSSP worked directly with 22 host organizations, including 8 government departments, 9 FBOs and 5 export companies to provide training to farmers and outgrowers within the export supply.

Training of Farmers. IFSSP trained a total of 3,642 fruit and vegetable farmers (including 959 women) from five regions of Ghana. This was comprised of 426 mango producers and 3,216 chili pepper producers (including 895 women). IFSSP provided more support to chili pepper value chain based on input from stakeholders and the fact that chili peppers were a banned commodity at the beginning of the project. The graph below shows the number of farmers trained on the relevant topics.

Chili 88%

Mango 12%

Breakdown of Farmers Trained

Chili Mango

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Agronomy

BBS Control

Gender Training

Integrated Pest Management

Organizational Development

Record Keeping

Traceability

Number of Farmers Trained Per Training Topic

For the mango value chain, IFSSP focused on improving BBS control and post-harvest handling. IFSSP spent a considerable effort on BBS control because of its devastating impact on mango farms. As part of the training, the farmers were equipped with knowledge and skills to prevent and control BBS. Following the successes of the trainings and validated results of the interventions, the farmers and extension officers requested that the curriculum be packaged in the form of a training manual. IFSSP co-developed the ‘Mango Bacterial Black Spot Control Manual’ with PPRSD and distributed 1,000 copies nationwide.

Training of Trainers for Agricultural Extension Officers. In partnership with PPRSD, IFSSP executed a four month-long ToT program in Gomoa Abasa in the Central Region. The training formed part of PPRSD’s proposed ‘National Training in Export Crop Production and Food Safety for Producers and Extension Officers.” Overall, 39 agricultural extension officers (including 10 women) participated in the training. The training was led by three local volunteer experts with experience applying the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Farmer Field School (FFS) approach to extension services delivery. Results from the training showed significant improvement in the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the extension officers based on an entry and exit test that was administered by IFSSP. Whereas the extension officers scored an average of 27% in the knowledge entry test, the average score increased to 66% at the end of the 4-month long training. The results show a 144% increase in the field knowledge of extension officers in plant health, agronomy and IPM who took part in the training.

Cover of IFSSP Mango BBS Control Manual

Agricultural extension officers conduct agro-ecosystem analysis on the ToT Field.

Agricultural extension officers list their observations from the assessment.

Due to the success of the training and the need to institutionalize the knowledge shared, IFSSP, in partnership with PPRSD, co-developed the ‘Standard GAP Training Manual for Chili Pepper Production’. 1,500 copies of the manual were printed and distributed among farmers and farmer based-organizations nationwide. The manual will serve as an important reference point and critical tool for chili pepper producers and agricultural extension officers beyond the life of the project.

3.2.3 STRENGTHEN VALUE CHAIN MARKET LINKAGES

To strengthen value chain linkages, particularly between farmers and exporters to accelerate and enable growth and recovery in export markets, IFSSP mobilized ten volunteer experts who provided training on record keeping and organizational development. Together, these assignments contributed to the training of 1,156, including 311 females, value chain actors.

One of the associations assisted by the project, the Fetteh Vegetables, Crops and Fruit

“We are happy to have received 100 copies of the GAP training manual. The district plans to undertake a farmer field school in 2019 with funding from the Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) program.

This is our own small way to scale-up the farmer field school you introduced to our extension officers. The GAP manual will serve a good guide”.

Emmanuel Abankwa, Agona East District Department of Agriculture

Cover of IFSSP GAP for Chili Pepper Production Manual

Growers Association, has demonstrated their improved capacity and utilized the skills they learned in contract negotiation to acquire a large tract of land for vegetable farming.

Additionally, through the traceability pilot, the work done with both exporters and their respective farmers strengthened working relationships and built new partnerships. Overall, the traceability system pilot and the training programs were used to build trust and mutually beneficial working relationships among these actors, including both the private and public sector facilitating a shared understanding of the need for improved quality and safety.

3.3 COMPONENT 3: COORDINATION ON STRENGTHENING CERTIFICATION

SYSTEMS

Under Component 3, IFSSP supported coordination and collaboration among public and private sector actors as well as other donor-funded programs to strengthen SPS certification systems for horticultural exports.

3.3.1 SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CERTIFICATION

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

IFSSP initially intended to support and facilitate the establishment of a Certification Coordinating Committee comprised of public and private sector players within the horticultural sector. However, after validating the needs of stakeholders the project pivoted to support the existing MoFA Taskforce as a convening body for coordination. IFSSP provided the MoFA Taskforce and its members with the following support:

Leadership and coordination with the development a traceability system pilot per the requirements of the EU audit.

Procurement of tools and supplies for PPRSD to improve capacity and efficacy per the feedback from the EU audit.

Proposal of a coordination road map for Ghana for the horticulture sector using Kenya as a model based on the feedback of a technical expert. (For more information, please see “Best Practices for Stakeholder Coordinator for SPS Compliance Consultant Report” in Annex J.)

Members of the Fetteh Vegetables, Crops and Fruit Growers Association survey new land acquired with the support of IFSSP.

3.3.2 FACILITATE PUBLIC-PRIVATE DIALOGUE

Over the life of the project, IFSSP strategically used its platforms to encourage public-private dialogues and to adopt the outcomes of those discussions to inform its programming and engagement with stakeholders. The project hosted traceability forums in July 2016 and February 2018 and a GAP Curriculum Development Workshop in March 2018 to engage both public and private sector stakeholders.

In addition, IFSSP, in collaboration with the

MoFA Taskforce, organized a stakeholder engagement forum for industry actors in the horticultural sector to meet and dialogue on issues related to SPS compliance and coordination in September 2018. The platform provided an opportunity for horticultural stakeholders to be exposed to best practices and lessons learned in Kenya for application to Ghana's industry.

3.4 CROSS-CUTTING ACTIVITIES

3.4.1 GENDER MAINSTREAMING

Based on needs identified through the gender assessment conducted in FY 2017 and ongoing collaboration with Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD), IFSSP mobilized three volunteer experts to conduct technical assignments on the following topics: understanding, assessing and addressing gender-related risks introduced along the chili value chain;

introducing farmers to Ghana’s ‘Gender and Agricultural Policy’ and associated opportunities;

and, integrating gender mainstreaming into the chili pepper production as part of the GAP ToT.

Overall, IFSSP trained 4,337 persons over the life of the project. Of that total, 1,107 are women, representing 26% of the participants. The project was unable to reach its target of 40% female participation. IFSSP discovered that agricultural extension officers are predominantly male and many of the women engaged in vegetable production only sell to local market; therefore, there were not many women present at ToT and export-oriented trainings which impacted the ability of the project to meet gender participation targets.

Participants of an IFSSP-led public-private event held at PPRSD.

3.4.2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

The project took deliberate steps to incorporate environmental protection in farm-based trainings. In response to the findings of the project’s environmental assessment conducted in FY 2017, IFSSP delivered IPM trainings as part of the SPS series. Training introduced farmers and extension officers to best practices for managing pesticide application. Four volunteer experts provided training on IPM to 529 farmers and agricultural extension officers, including 131 women. IFSSP volunteers and training providers were guided by F2F Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe User Action Plan (PERSUAP) requirements in ensuring that only recommended and approved pesticides were introduced to farmers. In addition, many of the farmers trained were introduced to extracts from seeds and leaves as natural pesticides with no known negative environmental impact.

Over the life of the project, IFSSP tracked 30 performance indicators; 21 standard F2F indicators; and, 9 IFSSP custom indicators. IFSSP achieved or exceeded most of its targets. A comprehensive table, as well as exceptions, is provided below.

Indicator # Indicator LOP Target LOP Achieved Percentage Achieved

F2F-1 Number of Volunteer Assignments 63 63 100%

F2F-2 Number of Volunteer Scopes of Work 63 63 100%

F2F-3 Number of Days of Volunteer Service 1,250 1,294 104%

F2F-4 Type of Volunteer Assistance 63 63 100%

F2F-5 Type of Value Chain Activity 63 63 100%

F2F-6 Value of Host Contributions ($ USD) $22,900 $20,574 90%

IFSSP volunteer expert leads beneficiaries through demonstration of environmentally sound agriculture practices.

F2F-7 Number of Persons Trained 3,2501 4,337 133%

F2F-8 Number of Persons Directly Assisted 3,850 5,045 131%

F2F-9 Number of Volunteer Recommendations 252 306 121%

F2F-10 Number of Host Organizations Assisted 20 25 125%

F2F-11 Area of Potential Production Influence (ha)

2,640 5,115 194%

F2F-13 Number of Potential Beneficiaries 27,250 140,700 516%

F2F-15 Number of Volunteer Recommendations Adopted

164 198 121%

F2F-16 Number of Beneficiaries 27,250 112,384 412%

F2F-19 Organizational Development Index 3 2.8 93%

F2F-22 Area Under Improved Production Technology (ha)

2,110 3,123 148%

F2F-24 Number of New or Improved Products and/or Services

7 13 186%

F2F-25 Number of Press Releases 15 14 93%

F2F-26

Number of Media Events by Implementers and Volunteer.

15 80 533%

F2F-27

Number of Group Presentations by Implementers and Volunteers

30 49 163%

F2F-28

Value of Resources Leveraged by Volunteers in the U.S.

($, USD)

$2,450 $2,084 85%

Custom 1

Volume (MT) of exports of targeted ag products that do not have a voluntary ban

7,314 4,735 65%

1 Although IFSSP did not set targets for the number of women that would be trained or directly assisted in its Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, IFSSP did set a target of 40% of both the individuals trained and assisted in the project’s proposal.

Overall, 26% of both the number of individuals trained and assisted by the project were women. This is discussed more in the “Gender Mainstreaming,” “Major Lessons Learned,” and “Recommendations for Future F2F Projects” sections.

Custom 2

Number of rejections and interceptions of targeted ag products exported to the EU for SPS problems

Not greater than 200 45 Achieved

Custom 3 Framework for national traceability system developed

YES YES Achieved

Custom 4 Volume (MT) of crops covered by the traceability system

10,600 159 2%

Custom 5 Number of stakeholder consultations completed

15 43 287%

Custom 6

Number of program-supported producers and exporters who adhere to good agricultural practices

(GAP)

2,400 2657 111%

Custom 7

Models for value chain-based SPS mitigation program piloted

YES YES Achieved

Custom 8 Analytical reports completed 4 6 150%

Custom 9

The extent to which there is increased collaboration between MoFA and other development partners and improved assistance delivery among development partners in the SPS space

Qualitative Good Achieved

Targets listed below were not met for the following reasons:

Value of host contributions met at 90%. IFSSP worked with many public sector institutions that were not able to contribute the projected contribution amounts per volunteer assignment, especially in cases where they hosted several volunteers.

Organizational development index met at 93%. IFSSP found that this tool was not relevant for all the hosts and some hosts did not fully understand how to score their capacity using the tool which impacted the scoring.

Number of press releases met at 93%. The project focused on other outreach elements that improved stakeholder perception and understanding. All other outreach targets were exceeded.

Value of resources leveraged by volunteers in U.S. met at 85%. IFSSP mobilized more local volunteers than were initially planned to meet the technical needs of hosts, which impacted this indicator.

IFSSP did not achieve its targets for the following custom indicators due to assumptions from the inception of the project not remaining true:

Volume (MT) of exports of targeted ag products that do not have a voluntary ban. IFSSP made significant progress (65%) toward achieving this target. However, the EU ban was not officially lifted until January 2018. Once the ban was lifted, exporters of chili peppers were not immediately able to meet the more stringent quality standards and focused on process improvement instead in 2018. At the end of the project, some producers developed viable local markets and, thus, were not exporting chili peppers. This accounts for the low export volume reported during project period.

Volume (MT) of crops covered by the traceability system: IFSSP did not make significant progress toward achieving this target at 2%. At the inception of the project, IFSSP had assumed that the traceability system would be a national enforced system and that all produce exported would be required to be processed through the system.

However, upon conducting global research and validating stakeholders needs and capacity, IFSSP determined that a private sector-led traceability system would be more sustainable and meet market demands. Therefore, individual exporters and their respective producers were selected to participate in the pilot whereas the target was calculated assuming that all exporters would participate. Additionally, IFSSP had assumed that mango producers would participate. After working with mango producers more closely, IFSSP learned that they mango farmers were already linked with sophisticated exporters who maintain their own traceability systems. Therefore, mango producers and exporters did not participate in the pilot and resources were focused on the chili value chain where no traceability function existed. As the system scales from the pilot, the number of exporters will grow along with the volume of crops being processed.

Volunteer Assignments. Over the life of the project, IFSSP achieved its target of fielding 63 volunteers. 78% of the volunteer assignments were completed by men, and 22% by women.

38% of the volunteers were Ghanaian nationals, and 62% were international volunteers.

IFSSP’s international volunteers represented 16 different states across the U.S.

Together, the 63 volunteers contributed 1,294 days of volunteer service (an average of nearly 21 days per volunteer) leveraging $608,180 in added labor benefit.

Host Organizations. Over the life of project, IFSSP assisted 25 host organizations, including public and private entities, and cooperatives. The host organizations contributed over $20,500 of their own resources to execute volunteer assignments.

The FDA, Joekopan Farms, and PPRSD were the highest contributors with $2,239, $2,729, and $6,466, respectively.

Persons Trained and Assisted. As a result of IFSSP’s volunteer technical assistance, 4,337 individuals were directly trained. 1,107 of these individuals, or 26%, were female. The volunteers directly assisted 5,045 individuals, 25% of whom were female. The program was not able to meet its 40% target for females trained and assisted. The graph below also shows the disaggregation of males and females trained per topic.

Through individuals trained, over 3,123 hectares of land are now under improved production technology.

63 34 265

Agronomy Org Development BBS Control

Number of Individuals Trained per Topic - Mango

Male Female

$2,298

$11,704

$6,572

Value of Host Contributions

Cooperatives

Public Sector/Government

Other Private Entities

992 566 176 461 66 60

Number of Individuals Trained per Topic

- Chili Pepper

Male Female

Recommendations and Services/Products. IFSSP’s volunteers made 306 recommendations over the life of project, 198 of which were adopted by host organizations. This exceeds the target of 164 recommendations adopted. The adopted recommendations included economic, organizational, environmental, and financial recommendations.

Ten host organizations developed a total of 13 new or improved products or services, including the traceability system, improved inspection services at exit points, and training manuals.

Custom Indicators. Under custom indicator 9, “The extent to which there is increased collaboration between MoFA and other development partners and improved assistance delivery among development partners in the SPS space,” IFSSP stayed at a steady ranking of “good.” The program observed that even though stakeholder collaboration saw improvement during the period before the Food and Veterinary Office audit in 2017, the level of collaboration stagnated after the ban was suspended. This was in part because the frequency of MoFA Taskforce meetings was reduced. In addition, many members of the MoFA Taskforce stopped attending meetings entirely. Issues regarding roles and responsibilities resurfaced.

Only 45 rejections or interceptions have been recorded as a result of the presence of harmful organisms. Over the life of project, 12 interceptions were for chili peppers and 33 interceptions were for other vegetables being exported to the EU. This is an 86% decline over the life of project. Baseline data was collected from a 2014 study conducted by the EU Notification System for Plant Health Interceptions. Note that data was not available for FY15 and FY16.

IFSSP exceeded the target of 2,400 program supported producers and exporters adhering to GAP standards. In all, 2,657 individuals adhered to GAP standards; 73% of the 3,642 trained over the life of project.

Volunteer Recommendations Adopted

Economic Organizational Environmental Financial

2014 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19

Change in Rejections/Interceptions of Agricultural Products

Change in Rejections/Interceptions of Agricultural Products

Co-training fosters sustainable knowledge transfer. The project found joint-training facilitation between IFSSP volunteers and agricultural extension officers to be an effective means of capacity building and knowledge transfer to farmers. IFSSP used the following model for successful ToT delivery: 1) agricultural extension officers work with IFSSP and its volunteers to finalize training material; and, 2) the volunteer and the agricultural extension officers take turns training farmers and the agricultural extension officers serve as interpreters for the trainees. This approach is particularly important when volunteer subject matter experts have limited knowledge of the context within which they will be providing training. It is also a useful approach for building capacity of systems, and not just individuals.

Hands-on, on-site approach to training. IFSSP utilized a hands-on, practical approach that greatly supported learning and capacity building. The approach is two-fold: first, the farmers participate in a classroom-style training where they are exposed to best practices conceptually, and, secondly, they are taken through on-farm training sessions where best practices are clearly demonstrated. This approach empowered farmers, individually and collectively, to participate more effectively in GAP and corresponding processes.

Identify opportunities for gender mainstreaming and gender champions at host organizations. Overall, as was discussed in the “Gender Mainstreaming” section, IFSSP was not able to meet its initial target of 40% of the individuals trained being women. IFSSP learned through implementation that it is important to develop a deliberate strategy and action plan with host organizations and partners for the participation of women in trainings, especially when providing training along gender-segregated value chains and markets.

Additionally, it is important to identify a gender champion at each host organization that will be responsible for women participating in technical assistance activities and can then provide continued support and mentorship to them after the training.

Utilizing local knowledge and expertise. Over the life of the project, both international and local experts volunteered through IFSSP. Local experts played a key role in providing targeted, timely interventions. For example, for the BBS prevention and control assignment, IFSSP had difficulty recruiting an international expert; however, once recruitment transitioned more to targeting local experts, IFSSP easily identified the ideal candidate, a professor from the University of Ghana with expertise in the control and prevention of the disease. From this experience, IFSSP took on a more open approach to recruitment and recruited internationally and locally simultaneously. Additionally, IFSSP found that pairing a local and international volunteer together to complete an assignment added value and allowed for greater cooperation and knowledge transfer between volunteers.

Co-developing volunteer scopes of work (SOWs) with host organizations or project stakeholders promotes greater buy-in and sustainability. In the initial stages of the project, IFSSP was developing SOWs based on assessments conducted by the project team.

The draft SOWs were then shared with the host organizations for feedback and approval. This worked well at the beginning of the project as the stakeholders required an introduction to understand their needs more comprehensively. This approach did not make the host organizations fully commit to the project and the outcomes. Modifying its approach, IFSSP experienced more success when the project held brainstorming sessions with the host organizations to identify needs and then co-developed applicable SOWs.

Market forces are a stronger push for compliance. The project’s initial approach was to develop a traceability system in partnership with the public sector, particularly with PPRSD.

The hypothesis was that: based on their regulatory function, PPRSD could compel the exporters to adopt improved produce traceability systems. In as much as the regulatory function of PPRSD remains relevant, IFSSP found that eventually the push from the market brought incentivized, higher levels of compliance by the private sector. The effectiveness of the field monitoring, inspection, and training role of the regulator PPRSD will continue to be limited and impacted by resources; however, once exporters are linked to markets that reward compliance with comparatively higher economic incentives, firms will invest in their compliance systems far above the regulator’s requirements. With this realization, IFSSP worked directly with the private sector and exporters to pilot the traceability system to enhance buy-in and facilitate market-led sustainability in partnership with PPRSD and other public sector stakeholders.

Systemic interventions lead to change through value chains. Even though the project provided record keeping training to many groups of farmers, it is the implementation of the traceability system that compelled actors along the value chain to prioritize keeping records of their activities. Farmers and exporters involved in the traceability pilot developed a routine of documenting information such as the application of pesticides, source of planting materials and identification of outgrowers for specific export consignments. A full implementation of the traceability system will go a long way in resolving the lack of record keeping along the entire value chain.

Recruit local experts for long term volunteer assignments. Identifying high-level experts to volunteer for longer periods is always challenging. IFSSP found this particularly challenging when recruiting traceability experts due to the high global demand for technical expertise combined with a relatively limited supply of traceability experts, who also understand relevant system development needs and requirements. In response to this challenge, IFSSP worked with three local traceability volunteers who were able to commit to providing technical assistance to exporters throughout the pilot. These three volunteers are now experts in the traceability system and can continue to provide support after the project’s close.

To support future F2F Projects, the following recommendations are made:

1. Introduce volunteers in advance to their host organizations via email or skype. This allows the volunteers and host organizations to discuss priorities and needs as well as set expectations for the assignment.

2. Development of a wholistic training plan or development strategy with host organizations is important. IFSSP developed a SPS improvement training series, which guided the development of sequenced assignments.

3. Consider the following model for training large groups of farmers through a single volunteer assignment:

o Day 1 included classroom type of training where the farmers were exposed to best practices.

o Day 2 included training on a pre-selected field to demonstrate what they had already been taught in the classroom.

This approach enabled IFSSP’s volunteer experts to work with three set of trainees for a typical 15-day assignment with each group averaging 40 participants. Therefore, enabling the volunteers to reach more farmers over a short period (averaging about 120 trainees per volunteer for a typical 15-day assignment).

4. Consider the following model for sustainable farmer trainings:

o Phase 1: On the first day of the training, volunteers engaged the agricultural extension officers to review training materials and obtain their feedback. This allowed agricultural extension officers to familiarize themselves with the training ahead of the arrival of the farmers. In addition, the volunteers provided trainings to the extension officers. This usually lasted 2-4 hours.

o Phase 2: Volunteers and extension officers co-led the training of the farmers. In some cases, the extension officers serve as interpreters.

o Phase 3: For the final day of the training, agricultural extension officers led the training with the volunteers’ limited assistance.

IFSSP found this to be an effective model for providing ToT to extension officers and ensuring sustainability.

5. Continue to provide IPM trainings, especially for agricultural extension offices and regulators.

6. Identify opportunities for gender mainstreaming and gender champions at host organizations. This will ensure that women participate in trainings and technical assistance activities fully and can obtain support and mentorship after trainings have ended too.

Please see attached Excel document.

Additionally, please find relevant notes for the indicator table below:

While reviewing outreach data for table 4, IFSSP realized that had been some errors with reporting in previous periods. IFSSP has corrected this data and highlighted the changes made to previously reported data in the tables.

Please see attached Excel document with relevant notes.

PERSUAP IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE – F2F ASSIGNMENTS:

Over the life of the project to-date, the project has had experience in implementing the F2F PERSUAP, as reflected in the PERSUAP table below. All assignments not listed in this table are Type 3 assignments or Type 4 assignments that fall within the Type 3 category. This table lists all Type 1, 2, and relevant Type 4 volunteer SOWs that have been completed or initiated during the reporting period. Summaries of volunteer assignments with a general description of activities with pesticides, key findings and recommendations on limitations/successes of F2F PERSUAP, and any recommendations to F2F for additional support needed to improve pest and pesticide management practices can be found in Annex G.

The project and volunteers have the following points of feedback to offer based on the implementation of the PERSUAP in Ghana:

• Some of our volunteers observed that the PERSUAP is too restrictive. Some of the recommended pesticides in the PERSUAP are not available on the local market. On the other hand, some of the pesticides approved by Ghana’s EPA are on the list of banned pesticides in the PERSUAP. In addition, one volunteer mentioned that local IPM practices he could introduce to farmers may not be approved and/or recommended by the PERSUAP.

• Many of our volunteers believed the PERSUAP was a good document that could in addition be shared with farmers and input suppliers. However, the language and the structure are complex for people of such caliber in the Ghanaian context. It may be necessary to develop a much simpler PERSUAP that could be shared with extension officers who provide support to farmers.

PERSUAP REPORTING TABLE:

Assignment (Trip) Number

Volunteer Name

Country Country F2F Project

PERSUAP

Assignment Type

Work Directly with

USAID

Mission or Mission-funded Project (Type 4) – Check for Yes

Training Syllabus Sent to F2F AOR/ Mission Environment al Officer (Type 1) – Check for Yes

Training Attended by

USAID

(Type 1)

– Check for Yes

G-03 Raymond Hix Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-05 Oghenekome Onokpise

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

Number

Volunteer Name

Country Country F2F Project

PERSUAP

Assignment Type

Work Directly with

USAID

Mission or Mission-funded Project (Type 4) – Check for Yes

Training Syllabus Sent to F2F AOR/ Mission Environment al Officer (Type 1) – Check for Yes

Training Attended by

USAID

(Type 1)

– Check for Yes

G-06 Ernest Kwaku Krakah

G-07 LaTonia Tresia Lee

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-11 Christopher D' Aiuto

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-12 Emily Zobel Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-13 Bravo Brown Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-14 Ernst Neering Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-15 Desmond Mortley

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-17 Festus Imarhiagbe

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-19 Dennis Eaton Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-20 Ivan Landers Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-22 Joseph Okani Honger

Ghana IFSSP Type 1 Yes

G-23 Paa Kwesi Bor doh

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-26 Luísa Gonçalo Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-27 David Krou Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-28 Mohammad Babadoost

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-29 Joseph Okani Honger

Ghana IFSSP Type 1 Yes

G-30 Festus Imarhiagbe

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-31 Conrad Berube

Ghana IFSSP Type 1 Yes

G-36 LaTonia Tresia Lee

Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-37 Isaac Amanor Ghana IFSSP Type 1 No training was provided as part of this assignment;

however, Number

Volunteer Name

Country Country F2F Project

PERSUAP

Assignment Type

Work Directly with

USAID

Mission or Mission-funded Project (Type 4) – Check for Yes

Training Syllabus Sent to F2F AOR/ Mission Environment al Officer (Type 1) – Check for Yes

Training Attended by

USAID

(Type 1)

– Check for Yes

USAID/Ghana was still sent a notification regardin g the nature of the assignment.

G-38 Charles Nuku Adeku

Ghana IFSSP Type 1 No training was provided as part of this assignment;

however, USAID/Ghana was still sent a notification regardin g the nature of the assignment.

G-39 James Akatse Ghana IFSSP Type 1 No training was provided as part of this assignment;

however, USAID/Ghana was still sent a notification regardin

G-40 Colin Korst Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-41 John Orlowski Ghana IFSSP Type 2

G-42 Sosten Lungu Ghana IFSSP Type 1 Yes

G-43 Joseph Okani Honger

Ghana IFSSP Type 1 No training was provided as part of this…