About The Pineapple Value Chain Project Carp+

What We Do

We facilitate the development of sustainable commercial production, processing and marketing of pineapples in the Central Region of Ghana.

Likewise, we facilitate the interactions of key actors in the pineapple value chain to address problems of smallholder farmers in the areas of soil management, inputs accessibility, disease management, and marketing.

Also, we assist in practical problem-solving and expand the frontiers of scientific knowledge.

Project Objectives

The pineapple value chain project carp+ has the overall objective to develop a sustainable commercial value chain for increased yield, income and improved livelihood of smallholder farmers in the Central Region of Ghana.

Specific objectives

The project evolves action research involving students, lecturers, entrepreneurs and smallholder pineapple farmers to develop a sustainable commercial pineapple value chain in the Central Region of Ghana. Specific objectives guiding the project include the following;

Marketing

Identify the socioeconomic, production and marketing challenges of smallholder pineapple producers, and assess the profitability of commodities and activities along the pineapple value chain.

Production

Apply tissue culture and pineapple crown multiplication for mass production of improved and disease-free planting materials (sugar-loaf, MD2 and smooth cayenne varieties) for supply to smallholder farmers.

On-farm Trials

Conduct on-farm trials, experimentation, and set demonstrations with farmers to address prevalent disease and soil fertility problems in pineapple production in the study area.

Out-grower Scheme

Establish an out-grower scheme for adoption of improved, disease free planting materials (varieties) and good agricultural practices to produce healthy fruits for supply to pineapple processing plant.

Processing of Produce

Establish a mini pack house and processing plant at the University of Cape Coast for processing, packaging and marketing of pineapple juice and other products to the hospitality industries in the Central, Western and Greater Accra regions of Ghana.

Training

Design curriculum and modules on profitable pineapple production along the value chain based on project experience and deliver (short-term and remedial skills building, and entrepreneurship training approaches) programmes to technical and vocational training (TVETs) interns (unemployed youth, rural entrepreneurs, farmers, students with tutors) at Aswansi Farm Institute.