Government Targets Doubling Coconut Plantations to 180,000 Hectares by 2028
The government has announced plans to expand coconut plantations in Ghana from the current 90,000 hectares to 180,000 hectares by 2028, as part of efforts to boost livelihoods and deepen value chain development within the coconut sector.
According to the Office of the Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, the expansion forms part of a broader strategy to make the coconut industry more viable, competitive and commercially sustainable.
Ghana is currently Africa’s leading coconut producer and ranks among the top 12 producers globally, with annual output exceeding 500,000 metric tonnes of fresh coconuts. The sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 1.8 million people across the country.
Under the Coconut Value Chain Development Initiative, government has so far distributed about three million three-month-old coconut seedlings and other planting materials to more than 2,000 farmers across 11 regions.
This intervention, government said, has resulted in the establishment of 31,500 hectares of new coconut plantations, adding to the existing 90,000 hectares nationwide.
Beyond seedling distribution, authorities said the programme places strong emphasis on capacity building to ensure long-term sustainability of the sector. Beneficiary farmers are being trained not only in production, but also in value addition and the adoption of best agricultural practices.
Speaking at a Training and Capacity Building Programme for the initiative, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, said government recognises that seedling distribution alone is insufficient to transform the coconut sector.
“True transformation comes when farmers are empowered with the right knowledge and skills,” he said.
Dr Otokunor noted that government is committed to training coconut farmers in modern farming methods, proper planting techniques, effective farm management, pest and disease control, and how to run farming as a viable business.
“This initiative has added 31,500 hectares of new coconut plantations to the existing 90,000 hectares across Ghana. The vision of the sector is that in the medium term—by the end of this term in 2028—the total coverage of coconut plantations in the country will be doubled from 90,000 hectares to 180,000 hectares,” he stated.
He urged beneficiary farmers to take proper care of the seedlings and act as ambassadors of the programme by sharing information within their communities on the opportunities available in agriculture and the profitability of farming.
Dr Otokunor also underscored the importance of value addition, warning that reliance on the sale of raw produce limits farmers’ incomes. He encouraged farmers to explore processing, packaging and branding opportunities to enhance product value and access wider markets.
He commended the Ghana Exim Bank for its role in financing agribusiness and supporting exports, describing its contribution as critical to the success of farmers. He also praised the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG) for its advocacy and organisational efforts to strengthen the sector.
Project Manager of COCOFEG, Abdul-Rahman Tamimu, welcomed the government’s intervention, describing support from Ghana Exim Bank as timely. He said the initiative would help address long-standing challenges such as low productivity and limited access to technical knowledge.
According to him, the training programme will enable farmers to adopt improved farming practices, leading to higher incomes and improved living standards.
Deputy Manager for Projects at Ghana Exim Bank, Isaac Obeng Antwi-Arko, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting agriculture and agribusiness as key drivers of national development.
Government has assured that it will continue working with financial institutions, including Ghana Exim Bank, and farmer-based organisations to further strengthen Ghana’s agriculture and agribusiness sectors.
