GUINEA STRENGTHENS PHYTOSANITARY CONTROL TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AGRI-FOOD MARKETS

GUINEA STRENGTHENS PHYTOSANITARY CONTROL TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AGRI-FOOD MARKETS

The project “Strengthening the phytosanitary control and certification system in Guinea” launched in 2019 and funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), was the subject of a closing workshop in Conakry on 24 April. It was an opportunity to present and welcome the results and positive impact of the project. In particular, the National Directorate of Plant Protection and Stored Foods (DNPV-DS) has benefited from capacity building in phytosanitary control, which should enable the country to meet the requirements of compliance and competitiveness in international markets.

Faced with the growing challenges of climate change and the spread of transboundary pests and diseases, this project came at a crucial time for Guinea, a country with considerable agricultural potential that is prioritising agricultural development in its 2022-2025 Interim Reference Plan. The main objective of the STDF programme was to reduce the risk of Guinean agricultural products being blocked on international markets due to the presence of regulated pests.

Main results of the project:

• Regulatory framework: updating the phytosanitary regulatory framework to bring it into line with international standards.
• Process improvement: strengthening the technical and operational processes of the DNPV-DS.
• Capacity building: developing the capacity of public and private actors in the application of phytosanitary controls.
• Communication and partnerships: improving communication and partnerships between stakeholders, including the private sector and local and international partners.

Among its notable achievements, the project has supported phytosanitary surveillance for fruit fly on mangos and mildew on potatoes, developed a guide for good potato production practices, and trained more than 400 stakeholders in the two relevant value chains. These collaborative efforts have made a significant contribution to the effectiveness of Guinea’s phytosanitary system, opening up new prospects for the country’s agricultural exports to regional and international markets.

This project illustrates the continued commitment of Guinea and its international partners to strengthen national phytosanitary capacity in order to promote better access to international and regional markets for Guinean agricultural products.

The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) is a global partnership that aims to facilitate safe and secure trade by contributing to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and food security. It supports capacity building in food safety, animal health and plant health in developing countries.