Tree Crops Policy.
Country
Type of law
Policy
Abstract
The Tree Crops Policy (TCP) in Ghana takes into account the major policy and strategic documents developed and currently being implemented in Ghana. This policy is mainly based on the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy II (FASDEP II), which was developed in 2008 by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through an intensive stakeholder consultation process. FASDEP II provides the framework for a sustainable development of the agriculture sector. The TCP has integrated the strategies of the METASIP, and is therefore consistent with the ECOWAS Agriculture Policy and NEPAD´s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (ECOWAP/CAADP) which provide an integrated framework to support agricultural growth, rural development and food security in the African Region (pag. 1).
The Policy aims to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach for the sustainable development of the Tree Crop sub-sector and for proper targeting of support to the TC value-chains. This policy document is the first of a set of tools (under-listed) developed by the GoG to support the TC sub-sector. Altogether, there are three tools namely: 1) Policy document which provides orientation, guidelines for strategic actions and clearly defines the vision, objectives and strategies to support the development of the TC sub-sector. 2) Strategic Plan which provides guidelines for the development of the TC value chains identified as priority and provides detailed and operational strategic programmes and budgets for the implementation of the policy. 3) Implementation Manual which provides methods and tools to transform the strategies into real operations on the field and allows for effective coordination of activities (pag. 2).
The Positive Impact of this Policy on Food Security is one of the major objectives of FASDEP II and MDG 1. The formulation of a policy for the TC sub-sector and the support for its sustainable development which should have a direct and positive impact on food security: GPRS I and GPRS II emphasised the need for the country to make tree crops a pivot of the country's development agenda. GPRS II stated that tree crop development should be used as a strategy to reduce poverty (pag. 5). The Government's objectives in terms of rural employment, food security, contribution to GDP and improvement of rural livelihoods cannot be reached without a strong support from the banking system, with loans at affordable rates and of sufficient duration (pag. 19).
TCP has been formulated based on the following guiding principles: Promotion of Good Agricultural Practices and improved technologies; Promotion of agribusiness and market development; Increased access to credit and finance; Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships; Improvement of the production and investment environment; Promotion of outgrower scheme models; Development of FBOs and VC committees; Mitigation of impacts on environment through regulation and promotion of sustainable management practices; Increased coordination between MDAs and DPs; Support to rural employment through small-scale farming and processing; Decentralised planning and implementation; Mainstreaming of gender and consideration of impact on vulnerable groups. These principles have been developed into objectives that will be the main focus of the TCP. Six major objectives have been identified to promote the sustainable development of the TC sub-sector in Ghana: 1. Support increased production and productivity; 2. Promote investment and increase processing capacities; 3. Improve marketing through VC development; 4. Promote sustainable practices for environmental protection; 5. Support Research and Development; and 6. Improve coordination and management of the Policy (pags. 27 and 28).
The objective of the strategy is to address both the negative environmental effects of TC cultivation, including pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, declining soil fertility and erosion, climate change, bush fire, and the positive effects such as carbon sequestration and soil conservation. The footprint of the TC sub-sector should be reduced to a minimum through the promotion of protective measures and improved regulation (pag. 47).
The Policy aims to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach for the sustainable development of the Tree Crop sub-sector and for proper targeting of support to the TC value-chains. This policy document is the first of a set of tools (under-listed) developed by the GoG to support the TC sub-sector. Altogether, there are three tools namely: 1) Policy document which provides orientation, guidelines for strategic actions and clearly defines the vision, objectives and strategies to support the development of the TC sub-sector. 2) Strategic Plan which provides guidelines for the development of the TC value chains identified as priority and provides detailed and operational strategic programmes and budgets for the implementation of the policy. 3) Implementation Manual which provides methods and tools to transform the strategies into real operations on the field and allows for effective coordination of activities (pag. 2).
The Positive Impact of this Policy on Food Security is one of the major objectives of FASDEP II and MDG 1. The formulation of a policy for the TC sub-sector and the support for its sustainable development which should have a direct and positive impact on food security: GPRS I and GPRS II emphasised the need for the country to make tree crops a pivot of the country's development agenda. GPRS II stated that tree crop development should be used as a strategy to reduce poverty (pag. 5). The Government's objectives in terms of rural employment, food security, contribution to GDP and improvement of rural livelihoods cannot be reached without a strong support from the banking system, with loans at affordable rates and of sufficient duration (pag. 19).
TCP has been formulated based on the following guiding principles: Promotion of Good Agricultural Practices and improved technologies; Promotion of agribusiness and market development; Increased access to credit and finance; Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships; Improvement of the production and investment environment; Promotion of outgrower scheme models; Development of FBOs and VC committees; Mitigation of impacts on environment through regulation and promotion of sustainable management practices; Increased coordination between MDAs and DPs; Support to rural employment through small-scale farming and processing; Decentralised planning and implementation; Mainstreaming of gender and consideration of impact on vulnerable groups. These principles have been developed into objectives that will be the main focus of the TCP. Six major objectives have been identified to promote the sustainable development of the TC sub-sector in Ghana: 1. Support increased production and productivity; 2. Promote investment and increase processing capacities; 3. Improve marketing through VC development; 4. Promote sustainable practices for environmental protection; 5. Support Research and Development; and 6. Improve coordination and management of the Policy (pags. 27 and 28).
The objective of the strategy is to address both the negative environmental effects of TC cultivation, including pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, declining soil fertility and erosion, climate change, bush fire, and the positive effects such as carbon sequestration and soil conservation. The footprint of the TC sub-sector should be reduced to a minimum through the promotion of protective measures and improved regulation (pag. 47).
Attached files
Web site
Date of text
Entry into force notes
The Policy and Strategies should be regularly monitored and evaluated and should be reviewed once every five years.
Repealed
No
Publication reference
Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MOFA).
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No