Gov’t puts farmer incomes at centre of Ghana’s oil palm revival

The Ghanaian government is prioritizing the well-being of smallholder farmers in the country's oil palm industry as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported palm oil. Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku announced plans to establish 100,000 hectares of new oil palm plantations, with a focus on boosting yields, strengthening support systems for farmers, and creating stronger links between production and processing.

Opoku emphasized that the success of the initiative relies on farmers increasing production and earning better incomes, rather than simply expanding land under cultivation. The government aims to translate existing agricultural policies into practical programs with adequate resources, clear responsibilities, and measurable outcomes.

The National Oil Palm Multistakeholder Roundtable Forum, held in Accra, focused on the transition from policy commitments to measurable results. Key to this transformation is the role of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) in regulating and formalizing palm oil production, which would ensure better information, coordination, and investment in the industry.

The government identified access to land, affordable financing, and processing facilities as major constraints to oil palm expansion, given the crop's long gestation period. To address these challenges, financial institutions are being encouraged to develop tailored financing products for farmers, nurseries, aggregators, and processors.

The government also stressed the importance of protecting forests and environmentally sensitive areas while promoting higher productivity on existing plantations and cultivating suitable new areas.