Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE GOVERNMENT has announced a series of interventions aimed at stabilising tomato supply and reducing Ghana’s reliance on imports, following recent shortages and rising prices on the market.
Ghana’s annual tomato demand is estimated at over one million metric tonnes, with local production often falling short. This gap has led to significant imports, particularly from neighbouring Burkina Faso. However, recent export constraints from that country have affected supply flows, contributing to price increases in local markets.
Speaking on TV3 via zoom, the Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, indicated that the situation reflects longstanding structural challenges within the sector, including limited irrigation coverage and inconsistent investment.
Immediate Measures Introduced,
Government says it has initiated engagements with authorities in Burkina Faso to ease short-term supply constraints. At the same time, emergency production efforts have been activated locally through irrigation-supported farming.
According to officials, selected irrigation sites between 20 and 30 hectares have been cultivated with fast-maturing tomato varieties. These are expected to be ready for harvest within the next two to three months, with the aim of easing pressure on supply and prices.
Focus on Irrigation Expansion
A key component of the intervention is the expansion and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure. Schemes such as Weija-Tuba, Vea and Asawa are expected to be scaled up to support increased dry-season farming.
Authorities say the broader plan targets between 60,000 and 70,000 hectares of tomato cultivation under irrigation in the medium term.
In addition, improved seed varieties developed by the Crop Research Institute are being promoted, alongside efforts to encourage private sector participation in production areas, including the Afram Plains.
Addressing Value Chain Gaps
Beyond production, the government is also looking at strengthening the tomato value chain. Plans are underway to improve processing and storage capacity to manage seasonal gluts and reduce post-harvest losses.
This, Dr. Otokunor notes, is intended to help stabilise prices and protect both farmers and consumers throughout the year.
Youth and Agricultural Development
The programme also includes support for young people to enter agriculture through access to inputs, training and irrigation facilities. The objective is to make the sector more attractive and sustainable over the long term.
Outlook
While the current supply challenges continue to affect markets, the government maintains that the combination of short-term interventions and longer-term investments will improve resilience in the tomato sector and contribute to national food security.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
