The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is calling on farmers in northern Ghana to shift their focus from wild harvesting to commercial shea farming, following a breakthrough in the industry.

Thanks to innovation by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), the gestation period of shea plants has been drastically reduced from 35-40 years to just three years.

This change was announced by Joseph Aidoo, CEO-COCOBOD, and is set to revolutionise shea farming in the northern part of the country to open new economic opportunities for farmers.

During the recent awards presentation to top cocoa farmers, Aidoo highlighted the innovation's impact – urging farmers in northern Ghana to adopt commercial shea farming as a viable alternative to traditional wild harvesting.

"We are making a major transformation in the shea sector. We have reduced the gestation period of the shea plant from 35-40 years to just three years. This innovation means that shea, which used to fruit only after decades, can now bear fruit in just three years," Aidoo said.

The reduction in gestation time, achieved through CRIG's research, is expected to significantly improve productivity in shea farming. With hybrid planting materials that bear fruit in as little as five years, farmers now have the opportunity to cultivate shea more efficiently.

"We are introducing a new model for shea farming in the northern region. Our hybrid materials fruit in three to five years, which is a far cry from the traditional waiting period," Aidoo added.

The move toward commercial shea farming is seen as a key step in shifting from the outdated practice of gathering wild shea nuts to more sustainable and profitable cultivation.

Ghana is the fourth-largest shea kernel-producing country in the world, offering an economic opportunity for 470,000 women farmers. In Ghana, shea stands as one of the leading export commodities. According to recent reports, the global market for shea butter is estimated at US$2.75 billion, with projections indicating a growth to US$5.58 billion by 2033.

Mr. Aidoo emphasised that COCOBOD is fully committed to helping farmers in the north transition to commercial shea farming, which he believes will have significant economic benefits for the region.

"We want our farmers to transition from gathering wild shea fruits to cultivating their own shea plantations," he explained. "This shift will transform the economy of northern Ghana."

As part of this initiative, COCOBOD has already established a shea plantation in Bole, a district of the Northern Region, and set up a large nursery in the area to produce high-quality planting materials for farmers.

The initiative also aims to address some of the economic challenges farmers face in the north, where agriculture is the economy's backbone. By moving from wild harvesting to commercial shea farming, COCOBOD believes farmers can increase their income, create jobs and contribute to the region's overall economic development.

"This is not just about cultivating shea for economic gain. It is about creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers and transforming the north's economy," he said.

Additionally, the conversion of shea butter into biodiesel presents an exciting new opportunity for the region, further diversifying the economic impact of shea farming.

Aidoo highlighted the potential of biodiesel production, which could become a key part of the renewable energy sector.

"We are also exploring how to convert shea butter into biodiesel, which could become a new avenue for economic growth in the region," he added.

COCOBOD's call to farmers to embrace shea farming is part of a broader strategy to support agricultural diversification in northern Ghana. The shift to commercial shea farming, combined with the production of biodiesel, is seen as a means to boost local incomes, create jobs and improve farmers' livelihoods.

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