Fall Armyworm in Ghana: FAO strengthens sustainable pest management through South-South Cooperation

Date:03-17-2025

In the face of growing threats to food security, Ghana is stepping up its efforts to sustainably manage Fall Armyworm (FAW). Twenty-five (25) national plant protection and extension officers received hands-on training in advanced FAW monitoring, prediction modeling and sustainable pest control strategies, through the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Project.

The project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS), and Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), is a crucial step in building national resilience against this destructive pest.

A shared challenge, a collaborative solution

FAW continues to threaten food production and smallholder livelihoods across Africa. Since the launch of FAO’s Global Action for FAW Control in 2019, affected countries have made strides in containing outbreaks. This FAO-China SSC FAW project focuses on strengthening monitoring, early warning, and sustainable FAW management across Ghana by leveraging technical expertise, field-tested solutions, and inter-regional cooperation.

Hands-on training and knowledge exchange

Over five intensive days, participants engaged in key activities designed to translate knowledge into action:

• FAW monitoring and early warning: Utilizing FAO’s Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS), extension officers enhanced their data collection skills. The new predictive modeling further strengthened their ability to forecast outbreaks.

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) demonstrations: Experts guided participants in establishing field demonstration plots, testing the efficiency of tolerant crop varieties, seed treatments, cultural control, biocontrol methods, and responsible chemical use.

• Scaling up farmer training: Action plans were developed to roll out farmer field schools (FFS) in Ghana, targeting 50 FFS facilitators and 1 000 farmers over two growing seasons.

• Field learning in action: Participants visited key demonstration sites and biological control mass-rearing facilities, gaining firsthand exposure to innovative FAW management practices.

Building a stronger response to FAW

FAO Agricultural Officer, Maged Elkahky, emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing and international collaboration in tackling FAW sustainably. He said: "Empowering national experts with practical, field-tested solutions is the foundation of effective pest management."

The Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of Ghana, Eric Bequaye, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating FAW and expressed gratitude to FAO and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) for their ongoing support.

From knowledge to action: Key outcomes

The mission laid the groundwork for long-term impact, achieving several key milestones:

• Strengthened FAW monitoring and prediction: Ghana’s monitoring capabilities were enhanced, allowing for earlier detection and more effective response planning.

• Enhanced technical capacity: Trained extension officers are now equipped to provide technical support and guide farmers in adopting sustainable FAW control strategies.

• Demonstration plots for scalable solutions: New field sites will serve as practical learning hubs, helping to mainstream effective IPM approaches.

• Deepened Ghana-China collaboration: This partnership is paving the way for continued technical assistance, experience-sharing, and innovation in pest management through South-South cooperation.

A model for South-South Cooperation

By harnessing the strengths of South-South Cooperation, this initiative is fostering practical, locally adapted solutions that benefit smallholder farmers and strengthen food security. The FAO-China SSC FAW project will continue to support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and sustainable FAW control measures across participating countries.

This mission has reinforced a crucial message: through shared expertise and collaboration, countries can turn common challenges into opportunities for innovation and resilience.