Enhance capacity of the Department of Crop Protection's (DCP) to implement phytosanitary measures

The first result area was to develop DCP’s capacity to implement phytosanitary inspections and certification of flower export consignments in line with international standards of export certification systems and requirements of the EU market. This was done through hands-on practical training for inspectors, study tours for staff from private and public sectors, deployment of DCP staff to enhance efficiency of inspections and certification at the main exit point, production of reference materials, development of documentation and operating procedures and putting in place a computer based format for the export certification system. By the end of the project, phytosanitary measures were being carried out with guidance from an operations manual comprised of twelve new standard operating procedures (SOP). Furthermore, DCP’s operations were reviewed in line with the newly adopted Plant Protection and Health Act 2015 and compiled into a quality management systems (QMS) manual for ease of reference.

Design and adopt a streamlined inspection and export certification system

Under this result the project aimed to promote cooperation between the government and the flower industry which had been found to be essential for effective implementation of phytosanitary measures in other countries. Mechanisms for cooperation between DCP and the Uganda Flower Exporters Association (UFEA) were fostered through joint trainings and dialogue meetings which led to these stakeholders entering into a partnership agreement. The agreement defined roles and responsibilities of each party, and how they would communicate and sustain collaboration. They also instituted and began to implement a traceability system and a self-regulating process for the flower farms that included disincentives for non-compliance. This traceability process helped exporters know from what farm the product for which a notification had been issued had originated. The notified farm was thereafter closely monitored by a joint technical task team (TTT) for compliance to agreed mitigation measures and penalties instituted through UFEA for non-compliance.  The TTT was comprised of DCP inspectors and farm scouts. The team carried out joint activities such as auditing implementation of agreed measures. This proved to be an effective self-regulation mechanism.  

Operationalize a phytosanitary survey and monitoring system

Prior to the project, data on pest distribution and abundance which is a key component of an effective phytosanitary system, did not exist nor was there a systematic and consistent way for monitoring. The third result was therefore to develop a specific phytosanitary survey and monitoring system for the export-oriented floriculture sector not only for the most important quarantine pest in export floriculture, Spodoptera sp., but also for the detection of other potential quarantine pests. A survey and monitoring system was designed, a survey team identified and trained, and some survey equipment and tools provided. Great emphasis was placed on fostering collaboration, data sharing and communication between the private and public sectors. As a result, some flower companies enhanced their investment in surveillance and committed to share with DCP data they generated from scouting activities as a way of enhancing their private-public partnership and contributing to surveillance.

Improve national awareness on the importance of a well-functioning plant health system

The fourth result was to improve awareness at national levels on the importance of having functional phytosanitary systems. Awareness was raised amongst national decision-makers and stakeholders on the inspection and certification systems developed through the project. The benefits and importance of having a well-functioning plant health system was demonstrated to these players as well as politicians, during a final project seminar, in order to garner their support in putting in place necessary policies and resources. All partners committed to support the established system for the betterment of Uganda's income and livelihoods of its citizens. Recommendations were made on how the results could be replicated to other horticulture sub-sectors.