LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services director Nhamo Mudada has become the first Zimbabwean to be accredited under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
The IPPC is an intergovernmental treaty established in 1951 to protect the world’s plants, agricultural products, and natural resources from plant pests.
The IPPC is ratified by 185 contracting parties, countries, that collaborate to develop, adopt, and promote the application of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) as a main tool to safeguard global food security, facilitate safe trade, and protect the environment.
The IPPC is overseen by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development proudly congratulates Mr Mudada on this outstanding achievement,” the ministry’s permanent secretary Obert Jiri said in a statement.
“Accredited as one of the world’s top 20 Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation Facilitators (PCE), Mr Mudada has made history by becoming the only Zimbabwean and one of only four individuals in the Sadc region to receive this prestigious accreditation from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).”
He said the achievement was a reflection of Mudada’s commitment to excellence and his passion for promoting phytosanitary systems in Zimbabwe.
“We celebrate Mr Mudada’s success and pledge to continue supporting his efforts to improve plant health and promote sustainable agriculture in our country for #foodsecurity,” Jiri added.
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According to his bio released by the ministry, Mudada has over 22 years of experience in plant health, phytosanitary systems, seed systems, rural development, and monitoring and evaluation.
“His career includes a 12-year tenure as the Head of the Plant Quarantine Services Institute, [NPPO of Zimbabwe]. Prior to joining the NPPO [National Plant Protection Organisation], he was a plant breeder with the national breeding programmes,” reads the bio.
“Mudada’s expertise in plant health systems covers a wide range of subjects including phytosanitary policy and regulations, market access, pest surveillance, pest diagnostics services, pest risk analysis, phytosanitary inspections, measures, certification, good agricultural practices, monitoring and evaluation, and training and extension.”
The ministry noted that Mudada played a pivotal role in maintaining old and accessing new markets for plant products destined to China, the European Union, and the Middle East, among others.
“Throughout his career, Mudada collaborated with various partners such as the FAO, Sadc [Southern Africa Development Community], Comesa [Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa], COLEAD, AU-IAPSC [African Union- Inter-African Phytosanitary Council], CIMMYT [International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center] and the IPPC on plant health issues. He participated in many IPPC activities and is currently a member of the IPPC Plant Health Officer curricula development working group,” reads the bio.
“He is an associate member of the CABI - Australia - Africa Plant Biosecurity Partnership Network (2014 to 2016) and a member of the Zimbabwe Plant Breeders Association.
“Currently, Mudada serves as a director with oversight of all Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services’ programs and projects at the provincial level, where he also chairs the provincial food security and nutrition committee.”
Mudada also facilitated the PCE for Eswatini NPPO and co-ordinated one for the Zimbabwe NPPO.
