The government has outlined key strategies to boost local tomato production and reduce reliance on imports, following Burkina Faso’s export ban.
The plan, which focuses on irrigation expansion, improved seed varieties and agro-processing, aims to stabilise supply and address structural weaknesses in the country’s tomato value chain.
The Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, told the Daily Graphic Business that the immediate priority was to scale up irrigation-backed production to cushion the local market.
“We are mobilising all available irrigation schemes across the country to focus on tomato production in the shortest possible time. In the short-term, we expect to bring close to about 1,000 hectares under cultivation,” he said.
Dr Otokunor explained that existing irrigation sites, which currently supported mixed cropping, were being redirected towards tomato farming to address the imminent supply disruption caused by Burkina Faso’s ban on tomato exports, from which Ghana sourcenearly 70 per cent of its tomato needs.
The long-term strategy, he added, would involve developing large-scale irrigation infrastructure, particularly in the Afram Plains, with between 1,500 and 2,000 hectares earmarked for dedicated tomato production.
Beyond production, Dr Otokunor emphasised the role of innovation in improving the competitiveness of locally grown tomatoes.
Dr Otokunor, whose PhD thesis was in efficient tomato production, stated that new varieties developed by the Crops Research Institute of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were also being introduced to farmers.
“These varieties have a higher yield capacity of about 20 tonnes per hectare, longer shelf life and are more resistant to drought, making them competitive against imported tomatoes,” he stated.
The initiative, he said, was also expected to address consumer preference for imported tomatoes, which had historically dominated the market due to their durability.
The Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, however, stated that the unfolding situation had also exposed major gaps in post-harvest management.
Dr Otokunor acknowledged that without adequate processing capacity, increased production could lead to significant losses.
“Tomatoes are highly perishable. If they are not consumed immediately, they begin to deteriorate, which makes agro-processing a critical component of this strategy,” he said.
In that regard, he said the government was moving to revive the long-abandoned Northern Star Tomato Factory, a $12 million investment that had remained idle for years.
“The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has stepped in to ensure that the factory is revamped to support processing and reduce post-harvest losses,” Dr Otokunor pointed out.
The Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness stressed that linking production to processing would not only minimise waste but also create jobs and provide a ready market for farmers.
Dr Otokunor added that with sustained investment in irrigation, improved seeds and agro-industrial capacity, the country would be able to meet its annual tomato requirement of about 1.3 million tonnes and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
Context
Ghana’s tomato sector has long struggled with seasonal shortages, weak storage systems and heavy dependence on imports, particularly from Burkina Faso.
Periodic supply shocks such as export restrictions and attacks on traders often trigger price spikes and expose structural inefficiencies in the value chain.
While past initiatives have focused on boosting production, limited irrigation coverage and inadequate processing capacity have constrained impact.
The renewed emphasis on irrigation and agro-processing reflects lessons from earlier policy gaps.
If properly implemented, the strategy can reduce volatility, improve farmer incomes and strengthen food security in Ghana’s agricultural economy.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh