The Office of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness has opened an official registration portal for coconut farmers and interested individuals to benefit from the ongoing Coconut Seedlings Distribution Initiative, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s coconut sector.
At the official launch in Accra, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor announced that three million coconut seedlings are being distributed to farmers and individuals across the country under the programme, which was first unveiled in July this year by the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama.
“The seedlings are free. We have offices in every district, and as soon as you are done with registration, you can simply go and pick up your seedlings,” Dr. Otokunor stated.
He explained that the registration portal, which opened today, September 15, 2025, will remain active until September 30, 2025, allowing both new commercial and smallholder farmers to either start or expand their coconut farms.
The initiative is funded by the Ghana Exim Bank as part of efforts to diversify Ghana’s export sector.
According to Dr. Otokunor, coconut remains a crop with unlimited potential for foreign exchange earnings and agro-industrialization.
“Coconut is no longer just a coastal crop. 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, headquartered right here in Accra,” he said.
Highlighting the country’s progress, Dr. Otokunor noted that Ghana is currently the 12th largest producer of coconuts in the world and the leading producer in Africa. Production levels have risen from 504,363 metric tons in 2022 to nearly 600,000 metric tons today, with the area under cultivation covering some 90,000 hectares.
The initiative is expected to expand the cultivated area from 90,000 hectares to 110,000 hectares, and later to 150,000 hectares in the medium term. It will also increase national production from 600,000 metric tons to 720,000 metric tons annually, create over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, and boost export revenue by 60 per cent from 11.4 million U.S. dollars to more than 18.1 million U.S. dollars annually.
Dr. Otokunor also drew attention to the vast global market opportunities. In 2024, the export value of
coconuts reached 22.43 billion U.S. dollars, growing at 13 per cent annually and projected to hit 38.58 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. Coconut water alone accounts for nearly half of this figure, valued at between 5.73 and 8.6 billion U.S. dollars. Other by-products such as coconut meat, shell nuts, and coir also command billions of dollars on the global market.
“This is a clear signal: the world is thirsty and hungry for coconuts, and nations that invest wisely in this sector are reaping rich rewards. It is not simply about planting trees. It is about planting opportunities, expanding the frontier of Ghana’s agricultural exports, generating sustainable jobs for our youth, and ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in the growth story,” he emphasised.
Dr. Otokunor urged the youth and women in particular to take advantage of the opportunity, describing coconut farming as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and wealth creation.
Interested farmers and individuals can register online at the official website of the Directorate for Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Office of the President, at www.piaa.gov.gh, or contact the Coconut Federation of Ghana on 0543431305 for assistance.
Next Post