Evaluating the effectiveness of phytosanitary inspections systems at Beitbridge border post in preventing invasive pest introductions and enhancing food security in Zimbabwe

Abstract

As the practices of translocation of goods and agricultural products across countries continue to rise, there is an increased risk of invasion of pests, which pose risks to agricultural productivity and food security in countries. This study assesses the efficiency of phytosanitary inspection regimes at Beitbridge Border Post in averting the introduction of invasive pests as well as supporting food security in Zimbabwe. Beitbridge being one of the busiest border crossings in Southern Africa is an important point of control of agricultural imports coming into the country. The research utilized a mixed-method design combining structured questionnaires conducted on plant health inspectors (n=24), clearing agents (n=121), importers and exporters (n=139) and government department and parastatal officials (n=109). Results indicate that there are systemic weaknesses in all the four elements of the inspection system. The lowest infrastructure ratings were with laboratory support (mean 2.00/5), all 24 inspectors rating staffing as inadequate, and 78.3% had not formally trained in ISPMs in the last three years. The government respondents rated inter-agency coordination as poor or fair (80.8%). Therefore, 70.8% of plant health inspectors rated the risk of introducing invasive pests into their systems in terms of system gaps as high or very high, and fresh produce and seeds were defined as the most vulnerable commodity pathways. The investigation proposes seven high priority measures: putting in place at the border functional diagnostic laboratory facilities; institutionalising annual mandatory inspection training of all inspectors; increasing the number of inspectors in proportion to trading volumes; risk-based inspection target system; developing an inter-agency digital integration platform to close coordination gaps; rolling out an organised phytosanitary education programme to clearing agents and importers; and enhancing the review and transmission of standard operating procedures annually. The study presents a conclusion of addressing these gaps being a food security imperative, as the cost of preventing the entry of invasive pests is considerably cheaper than the treatment of established ones that pose a threat to agriculture sector of the Zimbabwe population based on their dependency.