FAO in Ghana

FAO Success Stories in Ghana

(2014) The agricultural sector is the most important in the Ghanaian economy. It contributes up to 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of active labour force and accounts for 60% of foreign exchange earnings. Fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple account for the main part of exports and contribute to create employment, fiscal revenue and foreign exchange to the Ghanaian economy.

Papaya is cultivated on a large scale in the four Ghanaian regions of Greater Accra, Central, Eastern and Volta and it is widely recognized to have an increasing export potential. However, papaya production is constantly challenged by the persistent attack of insect pests both on the field, during transportation and in storage. In particular, a new invasive species known as the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) has been identified by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture to have affected papaya crops since 2009.