The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) says it will step up regulatory enforcement and compliance in 2026 as part of a broader push to raise production of priority tree crops, including cashew, coconut, oil palm, and rubber.
The Authority says the renewed focus is intended to improve sector performance, increase yields, and support Ghana’s agro-industrialisation drive.
Speaking to Citi Business News, TCDA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Okrah, said value addition across the entire tree crop value chain will also be prioritised to boost export earnings and improve farmer incomes.
He noted that stricter enforcement of regulations will ensure the sector operates effectively 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 disclosed that government plans to distribute more than three million free seedlings to over 10,000 farmers nationwide to scale up production. The Authority will also promote value addition by expanding processing capacity, including the establishment of new factories and the provision of grants to existing processors to enhance 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 outlined in the 2026 Budget.
The policy, which will run from 2026 to 2032, seeks to develop more than 100,000 hectares of new oil palm plantations and create about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly expanding the palm oil value chain.
Presenting the budget to Parliament, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said the policy will be implemented by the TCDA in collaboration with the Oil Palm Research Institute and private sector partners.
He said the initiative 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.
