The Government of Ghana, in partnership with the World Bank, is set to launch the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in Accra.

This groundbreaking initiative aims to revamp Ghana’s agricultural sector and promote sustainable economic growth by diversifying tree crop production.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 11, 2024, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) highlighted the government’s objectives to address several key issues affecting the productivity and sustainability of key tree crops, including cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber.

Among the challenges the project intends to tackle are child labour and gender inequality, which persist within the sector.

The TCDP will focus on improving both the productivity of cocoa and other strategic tree crops, as well as enhancing market access and strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector.

“The TCDP proposes a two-pronged approach focusing on both cocoa and other strategic tree crops to enhance productivity, improve market access, and bolster the competitiveness of the private sector. With a total budget of USD 227.5 million, which includes a USD 27.5 million contribution from the GoG through COCOBOD, the project encompasses four primary components: 1. Institutional Strengthening and Value Chain Governance 2. Enhancing Tree Crop Productivity and Climate Resilience 3. Support for Post-Harvest Management, Value Addition, and Market Access 4. Project Coordination, Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation.”

“The project aims to achieve significant outcomes, such as increased yields and value addition for target tree crops, improved climate adaptation strategies, and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

“The TCDP will be rolled out in eleven districts across six regions of Ghana, carefully chosen for their potential to maximize impact. The targeted areas include: • Cocoa: Western North’s Essam and Adabokrom, and Asamankese in the Eastern Region. • Cashew: Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in the Savannah Region, Wenchi and Tain in the Bono Region, and Techiman Municipal and Techiman North in the Bono East Region. • Coconut: Upper West Akim and Suhum in the Eastern Region, and Rubber in Upper West Akim,” it added.

With a total budget of USD 227.5 million, including USD 27.5 million from the Government of Ghana through COCOBOD, the project will encompass four main components.

These include institutional strengthening and value chain governance, improving tree crop productivity and climate resilience, supporting post-harvest management, value addition, and market access, and ensuring effective project coordination, management, monitoring, and evaluation.

By targeting these areas, the project aims to increase yields, add value to the target crops, improve climate adaptation strategies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, the TCDP will implement measures to eliminate child labour and foster gender equity in the agricultural workforce.

The project will be rolled out in eleven districts across six regions of Ghana, carefully selected to maximize impact.

These areas include cocoa-growing regions in the Western North’s Essam and Adabokrom, as well as Asamankese in the Eastern Region.

The cashew-growing regions of Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in the Savannah Region, Wenchi and Tain in the Bono Region, and Techiman Municipal and Techiman North in the Bono East Region are also part of the initiative.

The project will extend to coconut-producing areas in Upper West Akim and Suhum in the Eastern Region, and to rubber in Upper West Akim.

Through this comprehensive approach, the TCDP aims to transform the tree crop sector, fostering long-term sustainability and inclusivity across Ghana’s agricultural landscape.