Nigeria’s cocoa sector, which is the fourth largest in the world, has benefited from the introduction of Spray Service Providers (SSPs) who ensure the safe application of pesticides to cocoa trees. An SSP is a farmer who has received special training to apply pesticides and hires out his services to fellow farmers to spray their crops. The SSP scheme, funded by the World Cocoa Foundation and CropLife Africa Middle East, is expected to benefit at least 40,000 cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon between 2013 and 2014.
The purpose of the SSP network is to ensure pesticides are only handled by those that are trained; to reduce the risk towards human health and the environment; to ensure the correct pesticides are used at the right dosage, for effective pest control and increased yields; to plan the purchase of pesticides and avoid the accumulation of obsolete stocks; and to safely dispose used containers.
Training
In March 2013, 18 field staff from the member companies of CropLife Nigeria were trained to become SSP-trainers.
The trainers used the instruction manual developed by CropLife Africa Middle East to train a selection of farmers to become SSPs. Each SSP undertook a test at the end of the program to evaluate their capability. Every successful participant was officially approved as an SSP by CropLife Nigeria for a period of two years. They also received an Identity Card which stated the period of certification to allow cocoa farmers to hire only approved SSPs.
In 2013, 6 member companies from CropLife Nigeria trained 206 farmers, of which 147 were successful. Most of these were from farmers’ organizations with several hundred of members. Because field staff from the member companies facilitated the training programs, a direct link was created between the trained SSPs and member companies, guaranteeing access to good quality agro-inputs. Also, because SSPs live in the same communities where they sell their services, there is a monitoring function from the community where any misuse is reported.
As an example of how the SSP program is catching on, Continaf, an international cocoa buying company, has used CropLife Nigeria to train 15 of their technical officers to become SSP trainers. They have now trained 29 SSPs that are selling their services to the 1,500 members of the farmers’ organization that sells into Continaf.
Selling services
After the training program, the SSPs sold their services to fellow farmers. Farmers have the freedom to select their own SSP and change if they are not satisfied with the services they receive. This encourages competition among SSPs to deliver a good service. Farmers negotiate a price directly with the SSP and in Nigeria, farmers pay prices that vary between 12 to 16 USD per acre. The pesticides are bought either by the SSP or the farmer upon recommendation of the SSP. Only
pesticides that are approved by a special list prepared by the project and registered in the country where the program is being implemented are recommended.
Together with TechnoServe, an international technical partner, credit schemes have also been set up with microfinance institutes where farmers can apply in groups for credit to buy agro-inputs. So far, more than 200 farmers have benefited from this credit scheme.
All SSPs received keep a record of their application activities. Record keeping is an important aspect of the project because it is used to collect data and to follow up on activities of SSPs. In addition, every SSP was given a set of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including overalls, gloves and boots to protect them when spraying.
Promotion
To promote the SSP service, posters and radio jingles were developed. The jingles were broadcasted via rural radio stations in several cocoa areas. The posters were distributed to partners such farmers’ organizations, extension officers and cocoa buying companies.
Because it was observed that some SSPs saw their spraying activities as an opportunity to start a small business, a special program was organized for a group of 50 selected SSPs. During the training, SSPs learned basic business skills, how to calculate their price, how to plan activities and how to actively look for clients.