TCDA and CRIG Partner to Combat Diseases and Scale Productivity in Ghana’s Tree Crop Sector

The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has intensified its efforts to modernize Ghana’s agricultural landscape through a strategic partnership with the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). Led by TCDA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, a high-level delegation recently visited CRIG’s facilities in Tafo to establish a framework for research-backed innovation in the tree crop sector. This collaboration specifically targets the development of disease-resistant varieties and the improvement of production techniques for high-value crops like cashew and shea, which are vital to the country's non-traditional export strategy.

During the engagement, Dr. Okrah and CRIG’s Executive Director, Dr. Kofi Owusu Domfeh, discussed critical challenges facing the industry, including the devastating impact of diseases such as powdery mildew on cashew yields. The delegation toured CRIG’s research facilities, observing advanced operations like seedling grafting designed to produce superior planting materials. A central theme of the discussions was the necessity of bridging the gap between scientific research and field practice. By translating laboratory breakthroughs into practical interventions and robust farmer education programs, the TCDA aims to empower growers with the tools and knowledge needed to combat climate and biological threats effectively.

Complementing these research initiatives, the TCDA has also accelerated direct field support through the launch of the Tree Crops Input Support Programme. In partnership with the Mampong Municipal Assembly, the Authority is distributing essential agricultural inputs—including high-quality seedlings, fertilizers, and specialized equipment—to local farmers. TCDA Board Chairman Professor William Oduro emphasized that these actions align with the government’s RESET Agenda and the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda. By focusing on its six mandated crops—cashew, oil palm, rubber, shea, mango, and coconut—the TCDA seeks to build a sustainable and resilient agricultural backbone for the national economy.

The local impact of these interventions was echoed by Mampong Municipal Chief Executive Issifu Yakubu, who noted that such support is crucial for revitalizing the local economy and making agriculture an attractive career path for the youth. As the TCDA moves forward with its mandate, the integration of CRIG’s scientific expertise with the Authority’s distribution networks is expected to create a more productive and profitable environment for smallholder farmers. Beneficiaries of the recent input distribution have expressed optimism, pledging to utilize the resources to improve their livelihoods and contribute to Ghana’s export diversification goals.