Ghana Pesticide Registrar gives bio-pesticide efficacy trial the thumbs up!
2 December 2010

A fundamental principle for regulatory authorities approving crop protection products is 'do they work?' This is true whether they are reviewing conventional pesticides or biological controls. To answer this question efficacy trials are conducted by independent organisations to evaluate the products presented for registration by the manufacturer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the regulatory authority in Ghana, has instructed Dr Vincent Eziah and Professor John Ofosu-Anim of the Crop Science Department of the University of Ghana to conduct efficacy trail on the Real IPM products as part of their RIU-supported programme in Ghana.

Efficacy trials are now in progress to evaluate the use of Metarhizium to control mealy bug in papaya, Trichoderma to control Phytophthora in pineapples, and a baculovirus to control Helicoverpa amigera.

Professor Ofosu-Anim said:

"This is an exciting opportunity to see research being converted into action. Biological control has been talked about for many years but here we have the opportunity to test whether it really works under commercial conditions."

Mr John Pwamang, Pesticide Registrar, recently went on an inspection tour of the efficacy trials and commented:

"The efficacy trials must be seen to be both independent and rigorous. We cannot allow a product to be registered and approved for use by farmers if it does not control or at least reduce the pest level.

There are obviously many other checks we do at EPA, including ensuring safety and minimising the risks to people and the environment. However the ultimate test is does it help the farmer grow better crops?"

Dr Eziah of the University of Ghana (right) explains to John Pwamang of EPA (left), and papaya farmers about the process that has been undertaken as part of the efficacy trials on Metarhizium for the control of mealy bug.