The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) says it will intensify regulation and compliance this year as part of a broader strategy to boost the production of priority tree crops, including cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea.
The Authority says the renewed focus is aimed at strengthening the overall performance of the tree crop sector, driving higher yields, and supporting Ghana’s agro-industrial growth agenda.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr Andy Okrah, said value addition across the entire tree crop value chain will also be prioritised to enhance export earnings and improve farmer incomes.
According to him, stricter regulatory enforcement will ensure the sector thrives within the legal framework established by the state.
“Ghanaians should expect significant improvements in regulation and compliance across the cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea sectors. The industry will thrive based on the legal framework the nation has put in place,” Dr Okrah said.
He further disclosed that the government plans to distribute more than three million free seedlings to over 10,000 farmers nationwide to scale up production.
In addition, the Authority intends to support value addition by expanding processing capacity, including the establishment of new factories and the provision of grants to existing processors to boost output and efficiency.
Meanwhile, Ghana is targeting self-sufficiency in palm oil production by 2032 under a new National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development unveiled in the 2026 Budget.
The policy, which will run from 2026 to 2032, aims to develop more than 100,000 hectares of new oil palm plantations and generate about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly expanding the country’s palm oil value chain.
Presenting the budget to Parliament, the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, said the initiative will be implemented by the Authority in partnership with the Oil Palm Research Institute and private sector players.
According to the Finance Minister, the policy is expected to position Ghana as a leading palm oil hub in West Africa, with targeted support for smallholder farmers through access to improved seedlings, financing, and modern processing technology to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
Source: citinews
