Results
Commercial Chili Production Trial
Updated: January 31, 2024
12 PFIs
Participating financial institutions
GIRSAL’s Chili Production Trial under Shade-Net Technology aims to support the recovery and expansion of Ghana’s chili export market by improving production practices and compliance with international standards. This initiative responds to the European Union’s requirements for vegetable cultivation in pest-free, protected environments, ensuring that Ghanaian chili peppers meet sanitary and phytosanitary standards for export. Through strategic partnerships, GIRSAL is piloting this innovative production method across selected sites, demonstrating its potential to enhance yield quality, increase farmer incomes, and create new opportunities for agribusinesses in the chili value chain.
Shade net technology is a form of protected cropping structure that offers an ideal environment for plant growth, and protection from sunlight, wind, and pests. It is easier to install, low-cost, and better suited for warmer climates compared to greenhouses. This technology reduces the risk of insect pest invasion, as it uses insect-proof nets, and minimizes wind damage and water stress during hot, dry, and windy conditions. This, in turn, increases the yield and quality of produce. Furthermore, the net encourages the use of integrated pest management (IPM) practices thereby reducing the reliance on pesticides.
In the context of lifting the ban on fresh chili export to Europe, the European Union Regulatory Department has recommended production in protected structures like net houses as an integral component in the phytosanitary measures for producing high-quality chili. Using this technology for chili production can significantly improve the quality and quantity of produce, making it more accessible to the European market. Reducing reliance on pesticides also promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
The total land area allocated for the trial is 4.4 hectares across three regions- Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta
• Dawhenya project site, covering 0.4 hectares, operations commenced in March 2023 and concluded in June 2024. During this period, a total of 4.86 metric tons (MT) were harvested, with 3.9 MT exported.
• Ziope site spans 1.4 hectares and began operations in November 2023. It is expected to close in February 2025. So far, the total volume harvested stands at 8.96 MT, with 2.1 MT exported.
• Woadze, with a total area of 1.6 hectares, began operations in December 2023. A portion of 0.6 hectares is scheduled to close by February 2025. The total volume harvested at this site is 2.62 MT, with 114.5 kg allocated for export.
• Kyekyewere, covering 1 hectare, commenced operations in September 2024. Production commenced in December and fruits are ready to start harvesting. The pilot is expected to close by December 2025.
At the end of the trial phase, GIRSAL has produced investment prospectus providing eligibility criteria and information for financial institutions and potential investors; production protocols detailing agronomic practices and has successfully secured market for the produce.
The commercial phase of the project is a private sector-led initiative aimed at enhancing the chili production and export potential through protected cultivation. The commercial phase builds on GIRSAL’s successful agronomic, financial viability and export trials to attract private investment, increase foreign exchange earnings, and ensure compliance with international market standards. GIRSAL has obtained the necessary certifications under GlobalGAP, SEDEX and have complied with import regulations set by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
GIRSAL is ready to provide coordination and technical support to interested financial institutions and investors in collaboration with the Plant Protection & Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) and will ensure strict adherence to export procedures in order to access premium markets in the UK and Europe.
Chili pepper cultivation in Ghana has been one of the key value chains that increased farmers income and generated foreign exchange revenues in Ghana due to its high demand in the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany with preferred varieties such as Legon 18, M 12, Scotch bonnet, jalapeno, and Bird’s Eye, which are the most exportable chili varieties.
Before 2015, Ghana was the largest fresh chilli exporter to the United Kingdom outside of the European Union, exporting 1,903 MT valued at USD 5.2 million. Between 2012 and 2014, Ghana exported chillies worth over 13.4 million. However, in 2015, Ghana was banned from exporting chili peppers and four other vegetables to the European Union due to the presence of quarantine pests in Ghanaian vegetable exports and non-compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures, both on the farm and at exit points.
Though exports have resumed since the removal of the EU ban, vegetable exports, especially chilies have not recovered to the pre-EU ban levels. Ghana exported only USD 33,000 worth of fresh chili to Europe in 2023.
GIRSAL in partnership with its funding partners (insert partner logos) launched the chili production trial under Shade-net technology project in October 2022. The adoption of this innovative technology is in response to EU directives requiring cultivation of vegetables in a pest free area and under protected environment.
GIRSAL has piloted the production from its 4 selected sites including the Agri Impact greenhouse enclave in Dawhenya, Ziope, Woadze, and Kyekyewere in the Greater Accra, Volta and Eastern regions respectively. Currently, GIRSAL is producing at Kyekyewere and Woadze.
Chili pepper is cultivated across all regions in Ghana but mainly under open conventional cultivation and are sparingly exported. The sector is a major employer of most farm workers due to its high labour requirement for harvesting.
Chilli is a high value cash crop and needs more inputs, particularly labour, than cereal and staple crops. The multiplier effects of chili pepper cultivation include employment creation, increased income, agribusiness development, and improvements in local transportation and logistics, all of which accrue to the rural community economic growth.
Adoption of chilli pepper production under shade netting will contribute to the reduction of agrochemicals usage in production to help improve the quality of exports from Ghana, meet EU import directives and eventually re-capture market share in the EU.
Participating financial institutions
Shade net technology is a form of protected cropping structure that offers an ideal environment for plant growth, and protection from sunlight, wind, and pests. It is easier to install, low-cost, and better suited for warmer climates compared to greenhouses. This technology reduces the risk of insect pest invasion, as it uses insect-proof nets, and minimizes wind damage and water stress during hot, dry, and windy conditions. This, in turn, increases the yield and quality of produce. Furthermore, the net encourages the use of integrated pest management (IPM) practices thereby reducing the reliance on pesticides.
In the context of lifting the ban on fresh chili export to Europe, the European Union Regulatory Department has recommended production in protected structures like net houses as an integral component in the phytosanitary measures for producing high-quality chili. Using this technology for chili production can significantly improve the quality and quantity of produce, making it more accessible to the European market. Reducing reliance on pesticides also promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
The total land area allocated for the trial is 4.4 hectares across three regions- Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta
• Dawhenya project site, covering 0.4 hectares, operations commenced in March 2023 and concluded in June 2024. During this period, a total of 4.86 metric tons (MT) were harvested, with 3.9 MT exported.
• Ziope site spans 1.4 hectares and began operations in November 2023. It is expected to close in February 2025. So far, the total volume harvested stands at 8.96 MT, with 2.1 MT exported.
• Woadze, with a total area of 1.6 hectares, began operations in December 2023. A portion of 0.6 hectares is scheduled to close by February 2025. The total volume harvested at this site is 2.62 MT, with 114.5 kg allocated for export.
• Kyekyewere, covering 1 hectare, commenced operations in September 2024. Production commenced in December and fruits are ready to start harvesting. The pilot is expected to close by December 2025.
At the end of the trial phase, GIRSAL has produced investment prospectus providing eligibility criteria and information for financial institutions and potential investors; production protocols detailing agronomic practices and has successfully secured market for the produce.
The commercial phase of the project is a private sector-led initiative aimed at enhancing the chili production and export potential through protected cultivation. The commercial phase builds on GIRSAL’s successful agronomic, financial viability and export trials to attract private investment, increase foreign exchange earnings, and ensure compliance with international market standards. GIRSAL has obtained the necessary certifications under GlobalGAP, SEDEX and have complied with import regulations set by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
GIRSAL is ready to provide coordination and technical support to interested financial institutions and investors in collaboration with the Plant Protection & Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) and will ensure strict adherence to export procedures in order to access premium markets in the UK and Europe.
Chili pepper is cultivated across all regions in Ghana but mainly under open conventional cultivation and are sparingly exported. The sector is a major employer of most farm workers due to its high labour requirement for harvesting.
Chilli is a high value cash crop and needs more inputs, particularly labour, than cereal and staple crops. The multiplier effects of chili pepper cultivation include employment creation, increased income, agribusiness development, and improvements in local transportation and logistics, all of which accrue to the rural community economic growth.
Adoption of chilli pepper production under shade netting will contribute to the reduction of agrochemicals usage in production to help improve the quality of exports from Ghana, meet EU import directives and eventually re-capture market share in the EU.