PIAA, EXIM Bank, and COCOFeG Begin Nationwide Capacity Building for Coconut Seedling Beneficiaries

The Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), in partnership with Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) and the Coconut Farmers and Exporters Group of Ghana (COCOFeG), has begun a nationwide capacity-building programme for beneficiaries of three million coconut seedlings, aimed at boosting coconut production and strengthening Ghana’s agribusiness value chain.

The training programme, officially opened at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, brings together farmers, cooperatives, extension officers, and aggregators selected under the government’s coconut expansion drive.

Speaking at the event, officials emphasized that distributing seedlings alone is not enough to guarantee productivity. Instead, equipping farmers with modern cultivation skills, pest and disease management techniques, post-harvest handling, and market access knowledge is key to ensuring sustainable yields and higher incomes.

According to the organizers, the initiative will train thousands of beneficiaries across coconut-growing regions, including the Western, Central, Volta, and Ashanti Regions. Participants will receive hands-on guidance in nursery management, farm establishment, irrigation practices, and value addition opportunities such as coconut oil processing, fibre products, and export packaging.

Representatives from EXIM Bank noted that the programme also aligns with efforts to provide financial and export support for agribusinesses, helping farmers scale from subsistence production to commercially viable enterprises. COCOFeG, meanwhile, pledged technical support and coordination with farmer groups to strengthen cooperative marketing and ensure better prices.

PIAA officials described the project as part of a broader strategy to position coconut as a major non-traditional export and create jobs along the value chain. They encouraged beneficiaries to apply the knowledge gained and serve as ambassadors within their communities.

The nationwide rollout is expected to enhance productivity, reduce imports, and expand Ghana’s footprint in regional and international coconut markets.