The Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) aimed at transforming the country's agricultural industry and promote long-term economic growth has been launched in Accra by the Minister of The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong The $227.5 million five-year (2022 to 2027) development project being funded in partnership with the World Bank will benefit over 52,775 farmers, with a specific focus on empowering women and youth within the agricultural sector.
The project also aims to regulate and sustainably develop the production, processing, and trade of target crops including cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm.
It will be implemented in six regions, namely Western North, Eastern, Savana, Bono, Bono East, and Eastern, and expected to directly benefit farmers in improving productivity and incomes of which 40 per cent of these beneficiaries would be women.
It was launched in Accra on the theme: 'Sowing the seeds of the future: Unlocking Ghana's Tree Crop Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Transformation.' Moreover, Dr Acheampong emphasised the significance of the tree crop sector to both agriculture and the national economy, highlighting its contribution to the livelihoods of more than 1.6 million farming households, which includes commercial producers in addition to cocoa.