National Best Tree Crops Farmer Awards

1. Minimum Eligibility Criteria

General eligibility requirements

All nominees should satisfy the applicable minimum eligibility requirements below.

✓

Nominee is a genuine and active farmer of the nominated tree crop.

✓

Nominee falls within the approved crop category (Cashew, Coconut, Mango, Oil Palm, Rubber or Shea).

✓

Farm location and ownership/tenure information have been provided.

✓

Farm size meets the approved minimum threshold for the relevant crop/award category, where applicable.

✓

Farm is within the geographical area covered by the award.

✓

Nominee has provided sufficient production information for assessment.

✓

Production/productivity information is supported by available records or other verifiable evidence.

✓

Nominee has provided evidence of active farm management and production.

✓

Nominee has disclosed previous awards/recognition, where applicable.

✓

Nomination Form is substantially complete and signed.

✓

Nominee has consented to field verification and interviews.

✓

No false material, misleading or contradictory information has been identified at the screening stage.

✓

Being a member of TCDA recognised association will be an advantage.

2. Crop-Specific Eligibility Requirements

Crop-specific eligibility thresholds and requirements

The complete crop-specific requirements contained in the Call for Nomination document are presented below.

2.1 Cashew

Minimum farm size requirement satisfied (12ha (30 Acres) and above).
Minimum productivity requirement satisfied (650kg-1 tonne/hectare).
Farm is established with cashew and is within the recommended ecological Zone (The Sudan savannah, Guinea savannah, Forest transitional, Semi-deciduous, Coastal savannah).
Evidence of recommended off-farm livelihood activities within the cashew field (apiary, snail rearing, Mushroom production).
Number of permanent and casual workers (At least 3 permanent workers with evidence of monthly payments).
Evidence of other tree crops established (at least 5 acres of other tree crops).
Evidence of Farm Records (at least production records for the last 3 years).
Evidence of membership of an association (Cashew Cooperative Cashew farmers and marketing association of Ghana).
Evidence of support to local community (farm route rehabilitation, water provision, support to basic school. Etc).
Other approved cashew-specific requirements satisfied.

2.2 Coconut

Minimum farm size requirement satisfied (20 acres and above).
Minimum productivity requirement satisfied (70 nut to 80 nut per tree per year).
Minimum no of worker employed (5 permanent workers).
Evidence of records keeping.
Other crop production (At least two additional crop production).
Community support (At least one community project under-taken within cropping district).
Affiliation to a farm association.
Evidence of Farm Records (at least production records for the last 3 years).
Production within the ecological zone.

2.3 Mango

Minimum farm size requirement satisfied (12ha (30 Acres) and above).
Minimum productivity requirement satisfied (4,500kg/4.5tons/acre).
Farm is established with mango and is within the recommended ecological Zone (The Sudan savannah, Guinea savannah, Forest transitional, Semi-deciduous, Coastal savannah).
Evidence of recommended off-farm livelihood activities within the mango field (apiary, snail rearing, Vegetable production, windbreaks).
Number of permanent and casual workers (At least 6 permanent workers with evidence monthly payments).
Evidence of other tree crops established (at least 5 acres of other tree crops).
Evidence of Farm Records (at least production records for the last 3 years).
Evidence of membership of an association (National Mango Growers Association).
Evidence of support to local community (farm route rehabilitation, water provision, support to basic school. Tractor services. Etc).

2.4 Oil Palm

Minimum farm size requirement satisfied (A minimum of 40 ha (100 ha).
Minimum productivity requirement satisfied (A minimum of 10mt per/ha).
Evidence of membership of an association (OPDAG or any other recognized association).
Evidence of Farm Records (at least production records for the last 3 years).
Minimum age of farm should be at least 7 years old.
Number of permanent and casual workers (At least 5 permanent workers with evidence of monthly payments).
Evidence of source of planting material (tenera variety only).
Evidence of support to local community (farm route rehabilitation, water provision, support to basic school, tractor services, etc).
Evidence of standard tree population (60 trees/acre).

2.5 Rubber

Minimum farm size requirement satisfied - At least 100acres (40ha) in production.
Minimum productivity requirement satisfied - 150ton/yr (3.75ton/ha/yr).
Other approved rubber-specific requirements satisfied - Density of 450trees/ha.
Evidence of membership of TCDA recognized association.
Evidence of Farm Records (at least production records for the last 3 years).
Other approved rubber-specific requirements satisfied.
Evidence of support to local community (e.g. farm route rehabilitation, water provision, support to basic school. Etc).
A minimum of 10 workers (of which at least 5 should be permanent workers with evidence of monthly payments).

2.6 Shea

Estimated quantity of nuts collected for the past 3 years - at least 1 ton per year.
Size/location of the harvesting area or parkland (at least 1 ha).
Records of sales to aggregators/traders/processors.
Evidence of Farm Records (at least production records for the last 3 years).
Samples of harvested nuts for quality testing.
Evidence of proper drying and storage.
Number of trees protected, regenerated or planted.
Evidence of fire management and prevention of tree destruction.
Sustainable harvesting practices identified.
Membership and leadership in farmer/picker groups.
Testimonials from community members and buyers.
Evidence of training received and practices adopted.
Innovation & Climate Resilience.
Community Contribution and CSR undertaken.

NOTE: You may nominate yourself or another eligible farmer for consideration.

Ready to start your application?

After reviewing the minimum and crop-specific eligibility requirements, proceed to the official National Best Tree Crops Farmer Awards application portal.

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