Information and Communication Component

Result Area (Extract from Financing Agreement):

Increased awareness and understanding among RSA stakeholders of the new EU food safety and consumer protection requirements, in particular as regards to pesticide regulations.

Activities planned for 2007 - Annual Work Plan 4 (AWP4)

• An information needs analysis shall be undertaken and an information and communication strategy developed. Implementation will be done in line with the strategy, i.e. guiding leaflets produced for farmers (implementation in 2007 following procurement in 2006).
• Emerging Farmer Work Group (EFWG) meetings to provide guidance and inputs for capacity building events and information dissemination;
• A National Emerging Farmer Pesticide Specialist (NEFPS) will liaise and gain feed back directly from emerging farmers, disseminate of information and coordinate Program efforts aimed at this group (ongoing);
• Publications in local media as deemed necessary and beneficial for the program;
• An assistant will help with the administration of the program (ongoing);
• Creating a MRL help desk or MRL info hub to provide MRL info to the public and namely to the DoA and to members of the supply chain of exported horticultural fresh produce from South Africa to Europe (implementation in 2007 following procurement in 2006).

Activities in 2006 (AWP3)

• Information needs analysis of Emerging Farmers in South Africa with regards to pesticide residues;
• EFWG meetings to provide guidance; inputs for capacity building events and information dissemination;
• A NEFPS will liaise and gain feed back directly from emerging farmers, disseminate information and coordinate Program efforts aimed at this group;
• Contact will be established with Agricultural Colleges and Universities to promote compliance with residue limits being part of the curriculum in South Africa;
• The Program shall be presented in promotional material and published in local media;
• A MRL Info Desk shall be established to provide MRL information to DoA and stakeholders of the export supply chain of fruit and vegetables and
• An Assistant will help with the administration of the program.

Activities in 2005 (AWP2)

• Visit to SA of an experienced expert from COLEACP/PIP to exchange information and contribute to capacity building for the MRL task group and/or farmers;
• EFWG meetings to provide guidance and input for capacity building events and information dissemination;
• A NEFPS will liaise and gain feedback directly from Emerging Farmers, disseminate information and coordinate Program efforts aimed at this group;
• Presentation of the Program in promotional material such as a video or brochure;
• Designing and implementing a model to provide information to all members of the export supply chain of fruit and vegetables;
• Procurement and appointment of an Assistant to help with the administration of the Program.

Activities in 2004 (AWP1)

• A survey to present an overview of existing information and information systems;
• A needs analysis of what information is needed and in what format and frequency at the grower base;
• Visit of an experienced expert from COLEACP to inform about latest EC legislation on pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables and its impact on the market;
• Establishment of Emerging Farmers Network – Contracting a National Emerging Farmer Pesticide Specialist;
• Launch of SA PIP;
• Establish contact with COLEACP (who is managing PIP in ACP countries) to learn from their experience and agree on co-operation between the two programs.

Project Management

Mncedisi Madolo and Sandra Keller

Last updated: 6 February 2007

Disclaimer: "This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of the publication is the sole responsibility of SA PIP and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union"