{"id":114530,"date":"2026-02-08T01:07:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T01:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=114530"},"modified":"2026-02-08T01:07:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T01:07:33","slug":"government-plots-audacious-180000-hectare-coconut-expansion-to-dominate-global-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=114530","title":{"rendered":"Government plots audacious 180,000-hectare coconut expansion to dominate global markets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>2 Minute, 44 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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The Government of Ghana has unveiled a high-stakes agricultural roadmap to double the nation\u2019s coconut plantation footprint from 90,000 hectares to 180,000 hectares by the end of 2028. <\/p>\n

This aggressive expansion, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, is designed to cement Ghana\u2019s status as a global powerhouse in the coconut value chain and provide a sustainable economic lifeline for millions.<\/p>\n

Currently, Ghana holds the prestigious title of Africa\u2019s leading coconut producer and ranks among the top 12 globally, churning out an annual yield exceeding 500,000 metric tonnes of fresh coconuts.<\/p>\n

With the sector already supporting the livelihoods of nearly 1.8 million people, the new directive aims to move beyond raw exports toward a sophisticated, high-value industrial model.<\/p>\n

Under the Coconut Value Chain Development Initiative, the state has already hit significant milestones. A total of 3 million high-yield, three-month-old seedlings have been distributed to over 2,000 farmers across 11 regions. <\/p>\n

This intervention has effectively injected 31,500 hectares of fresh plantations into the national tally, bringing the current total to over 121,000 hectares as of early 2026.<\/p>\n

Speaking at a critical Training and Capacity Building Programme, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, emphasised that the \u201cAccra Reset\u201d under President John Dramani Mahama prioritises mental transformation alongside physical inputs.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis initiative has added 31,500 hectares of new coconut plantations to the existing 90,000 hectares across Ghana. The vision of the sector is that in the medium term\u2014by the end of this term in 2028\u2014the total coverage of coconut plantations in the country will be doubled from 90,000 hectares to 180,000 hectares,\u201d Dr Otokunor stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A central pillar of the 2028 strategy is shifting farmers from being mere \u201charvesters\u201d to \u201cagri-entrepreneurs.\u201d <\/p>\n

Dr Otokunor warned that selling raw produce remains a \u201cpoverty trap\u201d, urging farmers to explore processing, packaging, and branding to unlock premium international markets.<\/p>\n

Key components of the Farmer Empowerment Programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n