The Tree Crops Development Authority has planned to generate about $10 million in its first year of implementation the new Tree Crops Development levy.
The proposed levy by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) will be paid by buyers, exporters, and processors of the affected agro commodities, while farmers and small aggregators are exempted.
The crops involved are cashew, mango, shea, coconut, oil palm and rubber.
In an interview with B&FT, the CEO of TCDA, Williams Agyapong Quittoo said the levy is an aspect of a broader regulatory framework currently under consideration by the TCDA Board of Directors and for subsequent approval by Cabinet and Parliament respectively.
“Proceeds from the soon-to-be implemented levy will among others help generate substantial funds to cushion sustainable growth and development of the tree crops industry. There will be funds to sustain and expand distribution of inputs like improved seeds and seedlings to farmers and accelerate research as well” he revealed.
Mr. Quaittoo was speaking on the sidelines of the maiden annual conference of Progressive Cashew Association of Ghana held at Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital.
The theme for the conference was “Beyond the traditional cashew farming and exporting”.
In attendance at the forum were the various actors and stakeholders along the value chain.
According to the CEO of TCDA, the proposed regulatory regime will also make provisions for the registration and efficient regulation of activities for all input dealers; such as tree crops agrochemical dealers as well nursery operators, and seed-sellers.
This, he explained, will promote sanity in the system to ensure that only quality agro-products are supplied to farmers to protect their investments, the environment and mankind.
“The era when anybody at all gets up and sells agrochemical for tree crops, nurse seedlings for commercial sale will soon be a thing of the past. Only qualified and certified persons will be permitted to trade in agrochemical, nurse-approved seed nuts for sale.
Anybody who falls foul of the law will be dealt with accordingly,” he stressed.