Accra: Ghana's tomato imports have surged beyond US$230 million annually, while a devastating disease has rendered the nation 99 percent dependent on imported ginger, according to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) researchers, who are advocating for a research-driven recovery.
According to Ghana News Agency, CSIR scientists highlighted the country's growing reliance on imports due to weak seed systems, inadequate irrigation, poor soil health, disease pressures, and a lack of investment in horticultural research. These insights were shared during the second session of the 2026 Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MEST) Visibility Webinar Series, themed 'CSIR's Interventions on Tomato and Ginger'.
Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei, a Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR Crop Research Institute, reported that Ghana's demand for fresh and processed tomatoes exceeds 1.4 million metric tonnes annually, while local production satisfies only 15 to 18 percent of this demand. He noted that Ghana produces approximately 120,000 to 180,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes each year, leaving a significant supply gap.
The nation's fresh tomato imports, primarily from Burkina Faso, range from 100,000 to 120,000 metric tonnes annually at a cost of about US$18 million. Processed tomato imports, mainly from China and Europe, equate to 400,000 to 450,000 metric tonnes of raw tomatoes, costing about US$150 million. Despite these imports, the shortfall persists, with imports covering only 40 percent of the demand.
Dr. Osei emphasized that the issue is not a lack of arable land but rather technological constraints. He identified the need for quality seed, plant protection, reliable dry-season water sources, healthy soils, and sound agronomic practices as critical factors for improvement. He also highlighted the inadequacy of Ghana's irrigation infrastructure and recommended interventions such as public irrigation schemes and affordable dry-season water solutions.
The researchers proposed a comprehensive recovery strategy, including the evaluation of crop varieties, production of certified seeds, farmer training, establishment of solar-powered boreholes, soil quality improvements, mechanization hubs, and protected cultivation techniques. Dr. Osei further recommended the creation of a Tomato Board by 2028 and a dedicated Horticultural Research Institute by 2030.
On the ginger front, Dr. Osei noted that national demand has risen significantly, but production collapsed following a bacterial wilt outbreak in 2022. This has left Ghana heavily reliant on imported ginger, primarily from China, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, at an annual cost of approximately US$500,000. The disease, spread through contaminated planting materials and poor farming practices, has driven prices sharply upward.
CSIR's recovery plan for ginger focuses on developing resistant varieties, producing disease-free planting material, conducting disease surveillance, and implementing integrated pest management. Ms. Matilda Frimpong from CSIR-CRI stressed the importance of using certified rhizomes to combat the bacterial wilt pathogen effectively.
Rev. Dr. Cephas Adjei Mensah from MEST expressed government support for CSIR's initiatives and acknowledged the need for stronger institutional backing. The webinar, part of MEST's visibility series, aimed to showcase research interventions that support national development.