The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) is working towards expanding value addition for cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango and shea.

Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the TCDA, who stated this, said the Authority was leading Ghana’s efforts to move from the export of raw agricultural commodities towards processing, manufacturing, branding and the development of higher-value products.

He said this would create jobs, expand opportunities for women and young people, increase farmers’ incomes and retain more value within the Ghanaian economy.

Dr Okrah, who was speaking at a ceremony to launch and distribute farming inputs to Ghanaian tree crop farmers at Asante Mampong, said that in the cashew sector, stakeholders were promoting the commercial utilisation of the cashew apple alongside raw cashew nuts.

Similar opportunities existed across the other tree crops through processing, product development and market expansion.

He said the Authority had deepened collaboration with stakeholders in the oil palm sector to strengthen partnerships, translate policies into practical actions, unlock the potential of Ghana’s oil palm industry and accelerate national development.

In this regard, he announced that the Government was securing a $500 million integrated financing window from the World Bank to cultivate 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations.

The project would be executed between 2026 and 2032.

Dr Okrah said the Authority was conscious of the growing threats posed by climate change, pests and diseases, citing recent experiences in the cashew sector, including the emergence of powdery mildew in some production areas.

He said the development demonstrated the importance of early detection, research, farmer education and timely intervention.

He said the TCDA would continue to work with research institutions, development partners, farmer organisations, private-sector companies and local government structures to strengthen extension, research and technology transfer across the six strategic tree crops.

Another priority, he mentioned, was data and traceability.

According to the CEO, effective development of the tree crops sector required reliable information on farmers, farms, production, trade, and markets.

The TCDA was, therefore, strengthening farmer registration, mapping and traceability systems to improve planning, service delivery, transparency, and accountability throughout the value chain.

He said the vision was to build a tree crops sector that was productive, resilient, competitive, inclusive and capable of creating sustainable livelihoods and industrial opportunities for present and future generations.

Dr Okrah called on traditional authorities, District Assemblies, farmer organisations, development partners and private sector stakeholders to continue supporting the national tree crops agenda.