The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has distributed 60,000 elite rubber seedlings to 135 farmers in the Western Region under its Free Elite Seedlings Distribution Programme for the 2026 planting season.
The initiative forms part of the Authority’s efforts to increase rubber production, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen Ghana’s growing tree crops sector.
In addition to the elite seedlings, the beneficiary farmers received essential farm inputs, including termiticides, herbicides and Wellington boots to facilitate the successful establishment and maintenance of their rubber plantations.
The exercise was undertaken on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Operations), Mr. Rich Kofi Kofituo, and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Administration and Finance), Mr. Stephen Acquah Asante. They were supported by the Authority’s Technical Director, Mr. Eric Asamani, and Rubber Value Chain Specialist, Mr. Kennedy Nsiah.
Speaking during the distribution, officials of the Authority reiterated TCDA’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s tree crops industry through increased production and enhanced value addition.
They noted that rubber remains one of the Authority’s strategic priority crops due to its enormous economic potential and contribution to industrial development.
According to the TCDA, beyond increasing raw rubber production, the Authority is focused on creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in rubber processing and manufacturing.
It explained that expanded rubber production will support the establishment of industries producing vehicle tyres, medical gloves, condoms and several other rubber-based products, thereby creating employment opportunities and boosting the country’s industrialisation agenda.
The Authority expressed confidence that the free seedlings programme would encourage more farmers to venture into commercial rubber cultivation while improving the productivity of existing plantations.
Beneficiary farmers lauded President John Dramani Mahama and the management of the TCDA for the intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial to the growth of the sector.
They indicated that the support would reduce the financial burden of establishing new plantations, increase production and improve their livelihoods.
The farmers further expressed optimism that sustained government support and investment in the rubber value chain would position Ghana as a leading producer and processor of high-quality rubber products in the sub-region.
