Former Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture and current CEO of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), William Quaitto, has emphasized the transformative potential of the new Tree Crops Regulations, 2023, at the fourth International Coconut Festival held in Accra.
Running from October 21 to October 23, 2024, the festival united industry leaders under the theme “The Tree Crops Regulations, 2023, empower our producers, processors, and traders to maximize their potential while ensuring quality and sustainability,” Quaitto remarked.
Mr Quaitto described the Tree Crops Regulations, officially titled L.I. 2471, as a critical tool to raise standards, streamline registration, and support the coconut value chain.
As Ghana’s coconut sector continues to grow, Quaitto voiced optimism about the regulations’ impact on fostering a globally competitive, sustainable coconut industry.
“These regulations are crucial for setting high standards and creating a competitive, sustainable coconut sector that can thrive in the global Bawumia promises ‘One District, One Modern Market’,” he said.
The Tree Crops Regulations, 2023, mandate industry registration and provide specific support services to registered members. Farmers gain access to quality seedlings, extension services, and innovative research, while aggregators can apply for licenses to source directly from producers. Registered processors benefit from export subsidies, inventory management, and investment funds.
The regulations require comprehensive documentation from applicants, including certificates of incorporation, environmental assessments, and tax compliance certificates. Licensing categories under the new regulations include plant multiplication, aggregation, and processing, with tax incentives to encourage local investment in processing equipment. This structured approach aims to boost industry standards, sustainability, and innovation.
The International Coconut Festival, co-organized by GEPA, the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), and the African Coconut Group (ACG), aimed to attract investment in the sector and offered networking and mentorship opportunities for youth and women. It gathered farmers, policymakers, researchers, and marketers, with exhibitions displaying a range of coconut products at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Ghana has become Africa’s leading coconut exporter and ranks 12th worldwide, producing over 500,000 metric tonnes annually. In 2022, the nation earned $15 billion from coconut exports, with revenue projected to reach $25.3 billion by 2029.