By DORCAS KABUYA
ZAMBIA is a signatory to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). One of the critical activities of the IPPC is establishing International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs).
Plant Health Inspectors are critical in facilitating the safe movement and trade of plant and plant products across borders by ensuring they meet the ISPMs.
It is against this backdrop that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), through the Technical Cooperation Programme, has financed the Government of Zambia with US$400,000 to strengthen Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services (PQPS). This is done in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture under a project called Strengthening the Safe Trade of Plants and Plant Products in Zambia.
During the official opening of the capacity building training, the Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Green Mbozi, thanked FAO for the financial support stating that this Technical Cooperation Programme could not have come at a better time. Mr Mbozi notes that global trade is expanding and becoming competitive, adding that the nation needs to be proactive and position itself to guard against the adverse effects of trade regarding quarantine pests associated with plants and plant products, including other regulated articles.
“This will ensure safe trade and compliance with the Phytosanitary requirements of Zambia’s trading partners. And it goes without saying that compliance will keep Zambia in trade and make it attractive for trade in more products with both existing and prospective markets,” he emphasised.
FAO Country Representative, Suze-Percy Filippini, noted that supporting PQPS will strengthen capacity-building and training programmes to provide reliable, modern, evidence-based and comprehensive inspection services for agricultural products destined for local and international markets. Ms Filippini noted that her organisation was cognizant of the critical role that PQPS plays in facilitating the safe movement and trade of plant and plant products within the country and across borders. “This is important for us because we are mindful that keeping food safe is a complex but important process that starts on the farm, runs through the various stages of the food value chain, and ends with the consumer,” she echoed. Ms Filippini noted that food safety standards and export requirements go hand-in-hand in ensuring safe, nutritious and sufficient food for a growing population. He added that FAO would continue to work closely with agencies like the World Health Organisation (WHO) in supporting governments with developing and emerging economies to achieve this. “FAO is the only international organisation overseeing all aspects of the food chain, providing a unique, 360-degree vision on food safety matters. This effort is to ensure Better Nutrition and a Better Life as part of the FAO’s Four Betters, which are a systems lens to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.
And PQPS Director Kenneth Msiska thanked FAO for the financial support to equip Plant Health Inspectors nationwide with tools to execute their mandate effectively. Dr Msiska hinted that Zambia was gaining market access for various crops but maintaining this market access required capacity building of the Plant Health Inspectors. This TCP has come at the right time, considering that Zambia is gaining market access for many agricultural products that the farming community did not think special.
National Project Coordinator, Martin Siazemo, noted that the two-year project would enhance the diagnostic capacity of PQPS as a National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Zambia. It will also strengthen the Plant Health Legal Framework, purchase motorbikes, and improve the PQPS laboratories. Hopefully, this support will go a long way in strengthening the PQPS mandate as the department strives to enhance the safe trade of plants and plant products.
The author is an Agriculture Information Officer at the National Agricultural Information Services. She is also CCARDESA Information, Communication and Knowledge Management (ICKM) focal point person for Zambia
