By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) is exploring stronger partnerships with the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) to harness research and innovation for the development of key tree crops, particularly cashew and shea.
The Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, led a delegation to the CRIG at Tafo in the Eastern Region as part of efforts to gain first-hand knowledge of the Institute’s research and development work and identify areas for collaboration.
The delegation was received by the Executive Director of CRIG, Dr Kofi Owusu Domfeh.
The engagement provided the TCDA leadership with an opportunity to understand CRIG’s work across the research and development value chain, from seedling production to value addition, with particular attention to crops that fall within the TCDA’s mandate and are also being researched by the Institute.
Dr Okrah used the engagement to outline the mandate of the Authority and its strategic vision for the tree crop sector.
CRIG subsequently presented its research progress in cashew and shea, highlighting efforts to develop varieties that are tolerant or resistant to diseases.
A major area of discussion was the growing threat of diseases affecting cashew production, including powdery mildew. The two sides examined the need for research-driven solutions to emerging diseases to protect productivity and improve the resilience of farmers and the wider industry.
The discussions also underscored the importance of farmer awareness and education to ensure that farmers are equipped with the knowledge required to adopt improved technologies, varieties and production practices.
Beyond research, the engagement identified opportunities for collaboration in capacity building and other emerging areas of the tree crop sector, with both institutions exploring how their expertise could complement each other.
The TCDA delegation also toured CRIG’s facilities, including the Institute’s nursery, to gain practical insight into its operations.
During the field tour, Dr Okrah interacted with staff and observed various activities, including the grafting of cashew seedlings, an important aspect of producing improved planting materials.
The visit has therefore opened a platform for TCDA and CRIG to deepen institutional collaboration and partnerships in research and innovation.
Such collaboration could help translate CRIG’s research into practical interventions for the tree crop sector, while strengthening work on improved planting materials, disease management, farmer education and value addition for crops such as cashew and shea.
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