ACCRA – COCOBOD, Ghana’s cocoa industry regulator, is intensifying its efforts to demonstrate the profound success of the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP), with a particular focus on its critical farm rehabilitation component. This commitment was underscored by COCOBOD’s Chief Executive, Dr. Ransford Abbey, during a recent engagement with Dr. Ashwini Sebastian, a Senior Agriculture Economist at the World Bank. Dr. Sebastian led a two-day Implementation Support Mission to thoroughly assess the ongoing progress of the vital project.
The TCDP is a key initiative aimed at not only rejuvenating Ghana’s cocoa sector but also diversifying its agricultural landscape. A central pillar of the project involves the extensive rehabilitation of cocoa farms, particularly those devastated by the persistent Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD). This highly destructive viral infection has historically posed a significant threat to cocoa production, leading to considerable economic losses for farmers.
During her visit, Dr. Sebastian expressed commendation for COCOBOD’s well-defined strategic vision and the tangible advancements observed on the ground. She specifically praised the significant strides made in critical cocoa-growing communities, including Adabokrom, Essam, and Asamankese. In these areas, intensive work is underway to bring cocoa farms severely affected by CSSVD back into productive life through comprehensive disease management and replanting efforts.
The project’s ambitious goals include an initial production output of 21,000 tons of cocoa from these rehabilitated farms, with a robust long-term vision to scale production to an impressive 200,000 tons. This expansion is crucial for boosting Ghana’s cocoa exports and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for thousands of farmers across the country. COCOBOD’s dedication, as reiterated by Dr. Abbey, signifies a concerted drive towards rebuilding resilience and enhancing productivity within Ghana’s vital cocoa industry.
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