Sustainable future for farmers: Tree crop diversification initiative

In the face of climate change and economic uncertainty, Ghana is taking a bold step to secure its agricultural future. 

The Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP), launched in November 2024, promises to transform the agricultural landscape by empowering farmers, promoting sustainability and improving the livelihood of thousands across the country’s tree crop sector and beyond.

Why diversify?

For many years, cocoa has been the lifeblood of Ghana’s agricultural economy, driving much of the country’s agricultural export revenues.

However, the potential of the other tree crops to contribute to incomes and foreign exchange earnings has remained untapped.  

The Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) seeks to change that by introducing a variety of other tree crops, such as cashew, rubber and coconut into Ghana's farming systems.

By diversifying what they grow, farmers can reduce their risks and tap into the growing global demand for these valuable crops.

From current statistics, Ghana supplies only two per cent of the world’s cashew and less than one per cent of its coconut, but the global market for these crops is worth billions.

Experts believe that with the right support, Ghana could earn up to US$9.8 billion annually from these crops.

The TCDP offers a real opportunity to create new sources of income, improve food security and increase the country’s export earnings.

Supporting cocoa sector

While directly supporting around 12,800 farmers in cocoa-producing districts such as Essam and Adabokrom in the Western North and Asamankese in the Eastern Region, the project will provide training in sustainable farming practices, access to improved cocoa varieties, and better market connections to help farmers increase their profitability.

It will also offer support in research, capacity building for cocoa sector workers and the operations of the Ghana Cocoa Board.

Empowering farmers

The TCDP’s focus is not only on the cocoa sector, but its benefits will extend to other agricultural sectors, including cashew, coconut and rubber.

In total, about 52,000 farmers and their families across these sectors are expected to benefit from the project.

By diversifying into these tree crops, farmers can stabilise their incomes and open new market opportunities.

With the global market for cashew, coconut, and other tree crops expanding, Ghanaian farmers will gain access to more income streams, reducing their dependence on a single crop.

The TCDP will also help farmers improve yields, access better crop varieties and connect to both local and international markets.

Comprehensive approach

The TCDP promotes an agroforestry model which integrates multiple crops and trees into the same farming environment. 
This approach encourages farmers to co-cultivate tree crops alongside food crops such as plantains, maize, and legumes, creating more resilient and productive farming systems.

Experts believe agroforestry will improve soil fertility, protect biodiversity, and create stable microclimates, all of which contribute to better long-term farming outcomes.

Under the project, farmers will receive training on best practices for planting, nurturing and harvesting a diverse range of crops, helping them manage these integrated systems effectively.

The project also encourages sustainable land management practices to prevent deforestation and promote organic farming methods while protecting the environment for future generations.

Tackling climate change

Climate change is becoming an increasingly tough challenge for farmers in Ghana. Unpredictable weather patterns, long droughts and irregular rainfall are making traditional farming methods less dependable.

For instance, the 2023/2024 cocoa season saw a significant drop in harvests, partly due to the effects of climate-related changes.

The Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) aims to address these issues by encouraging farming systems that are more resilient and adaptable to climate change.

By promoting tree crops that are better suited to the shifting climate, the project will help farmers cope with these challenges.

At the same time, it will support Ghana’s efforts to meet its carbon reduction targets under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Tree crops help absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, making them an essential part of the country’s goal to cut carbon emissions by 12 per cent by 2025.
Supporting small and medium enterprises

Alongside supporting farmers, the Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) will also lend a hand to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the agricultural value chain, including those in the cocoa, rubber, cashew, and coconut industries.

The project aims to benefit around 185 SMEs by providing training, access to financing, and introducing new technologies to help them add value to their products.

These businesses play a vital role in processing, marketing, and distributing agricultural goods.

By strengthening these enterprises, the TCDP will help build a more sustainable and thriving agricultural sector, driving economic growth and creating new job opportunities.

Project rationale

The Tree Crop Diversification Project is set to deliver significant benefits for both farmers and the broader agricultural sector:

• Improved Income Security: Diversifying crops will reduce farmers’ dependence on one product, increasing their financial stability.

• Sustainable Agriculture: The project will promote environmentally friendly farming practices such as agroforestry, which conserve biodiversity and improve soil health.

• Increased Farmer Knowledge: Farmers will gain valuable skills in managing diversified crops and achieving higher yields.

• Local Economic Growth: By supporting SMEs and creating an estimate of 20,000 jobs over the next six years, the project will foster economic growth in rural communities.

• Climate Resilience: Diversified farming systems will help farmers to cope better with changing climate conditions, improving food security and stability.

The six-year Tree Crop Diversification Project, backed by a US$200 million investment from the World Bank and the government of Ghana through the Ghana Cocoa Board, marks a significant step toward building a sustainable agricultural future for the country.

By empowering farmers and supporting local businesses, the project aims to create a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector that can thrive in the face of global challenges.

With the active participation of farmers, stakeholders and local communities, the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project has the potential to reshape agricultural success in Ghana, where sustainability, resilience and prosperity go hand-in-hand.

The project is managed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), under the guidance of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).

Email: Rhoda.onyinah@cocobod.gh
The writer is a Public Relations Officer of COCOBOD