As part of the initiative, the directorate of the presidential initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) announced Coconut Seedling Distribution Initiative, and opened registration portal to allow new commercial and smallholder farmers to take advantage of the opportunity to either expand or start coconut farms.

Through this initiative, three million (3, 0000) coconut seedlings are being distributed to farmers and interested individuals across the country.

Coconut Federation Ghana has made a significant milestone for Ghana’s coconut sector as they have taken deliberate and strategic steps to accelerate the growth of coconut production in Ghana.

This very important programme is funded by Ghana Exim Bank as part of its effort to diversify Ghana’s export sector as coconut holds an unlimited potential for forex improvement and agro- industrialization.

Dr. Peter Boamah Otokumor the director of the Presidential Initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness in his address on the day of the portal opening to the public registration outlined the Importance of “coconut at today’s market as he announced the importance of coconut being a crop that is, in its simplicity, embodies resilience, versatility, and immense economic potential”.

And that globally, coconut industry is thriving with annual production now exceeding 65 million metric tons, with 95 percent of this output coming from smallholder farmers”. He also talked of it being the world’s top four producers Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Brazil dominating in the sector, creating millions of jobs and building strong export markets around this remarkable crop.

Dr. Otokumor also made a remarkable statement that in 2024, the global export value of coconuts hit 22.43 billion U.S. dollars, growing at an impressive 13 percent per annum and estimated to hit 38.58 billion by 2030, And that, Coconut water alone is one of the fastest- growing health product in the world, represents nearly half of this value at between 5.73 – 8.6 billion U.S. dollars. Brazil, for instance, has captured the U.S. market and is reaping enormous benefits. “Beyond coconut water, the market for coconut meat is worth 5.85 billion U.S. dollars, coconut shell nut about 950 million U.S. dollars, and coir from husks another 640 million U.S. dollars.

This was a clear signal and that the world is thirsty and hungry for coconuts and nations that invest wisely in this sector are reaping rich reward” he added.

He again stated that, Ghana is now the 12th largest producer of coconuts in the world, and the number one producer in Africa. In recent years, our production has increased from 504,363 metric tons in 2022 to about 600,000 metric tons today, with our area under cultivation covering some 90,000 hectares. And that, coconut is no longer just a coastal crop and cultivation is now active in 11 out of 16 regions of Ghana, engaging men, women, and youth across nurseries, farming, processing, exporting, aggregation, and vending all under the umbrella of the Coconut Federation of Ghana.

In Mr. Boamah Otkunor’s conclusion, he said, “growth has already translated into foreign exchange and in 2021, Ghana exported over 41 million kilograms of coconuts valued at 11.4 million U.S. dollars. By 2022, we had become the 9th largest exporter of desiccated coconut in the world, with export earnings of 22 million U.S. dollars the trajectory is clear and the coconut sector is fast becoming one of the most dynamic agricultural export commodities in our national economy”.

Before the distribution of the coconut seedlings, Mr. Isaac Yevo, extension officer from the Department of Agriculture Kintampo Municipal took farmerss through the application of supper absorbent polymer by demonstrating which will be giving to them in addition to the seedlings for application due to the inconsistency of the rains.