The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) plans to transform a 50-acre mango plantation in the Upper West Region into a model for commercial tree-crop farming in northern Ghana. The plantation, owned by Matthew Song-Aabo, has grown 5,600 mango trees over nearly two decades. TCDA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andy Osei Okrah announced the plan during a working tour of the region, which included a visit to the plantation and a courtesy call on the Regional Minister.
The Upper West Region has significant untapped potential for tree-crop farming, with the TCDA aiming to diversify Ghana's tree-crop economy. The region's soil and agronomic conditions make it an ideal location for commercial farming. Dr. Okrah noted that Ghana's commercial mango industry is concentrated in the southern and eastern belts, with the Upper West Region offering opportunities for growth. The TCDA plans to use the MATCO farm as a prototype to be studied and scaled up elsewhere in the north.
The MATCO farm has faced challenges, including capital constraints that have limited irrigation to 60 percent of the farm. As a result, annual output has stayed around 60 tonnes, well below the national target of up to 12 tonnes per acre. The farm's owner, Matthew Song-Aabo, has invested in infrastructure, including four boreholes and a 40,000-litre gravity-fed drip irrigation system. However, crop diseases such as Bacterial Black Spot and anthracnose have also affected production.
The TCDA has pledged to provide technical guidance and input support to the MATCO farm, as well as connect northern growers to domestic and international buyers. The Authority's Mango Value Chain Committee will work closely with farmers to address challenges and improve production. Dr. Okrah emphasized the importance of commercial tree-crop farming in creating jobs and income for young people and women in the region.
The TCDA operates under Act 1010 of 2019 and is mandated to develop six priority tree crops, including cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea. The Upper West Region is well-positioned for the Authority's expansion plans, with cashew, shea, and mango growing naturally in the area. Dr. Okrah issued a warning against the illegal felling, burning, and poisoning of shea trees, which is a criminal offence under the Tree Crops Regulations.
The TCDA has secured office space in Wa, which is currently being refurbished in partnership with the Regional Coordinating Council and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The office will be officially commissioned within two weeks to decentralize the Authority's regulatory work in the Upper West Region. This move is expected to enhance the TCDA's presence in the region and support its expansion plans.
The TCDA's plan to adopt the MATCO farm as a prototype for northern Ghana is expected to boost commercial tree-crop farming in the region. The Authority's efforts to provide technical guidance, input support, and connect growers to buyers will be crucial in achieving this goal. The success of the MATCO farm will depend on addressing challenges such as irrigation and crop diseases, as well as the active participation of farmers and other stakeholders.
Key points
- The TCDA plans to use the MATCO farm as a prototype for commercial tree-crop farming in northern Ghana.
- The Upper West Region has significant untapped potential for tree-crop farming.
- The TCDA has pledged to provide technical guidance and input support to the MATCO farm.
