Tema: The government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), has intensified efforts to increase local tomato production and reduce the country's dependence on imports through targeted support programmes for farmers, Mr. George Batse, the Tema Metropolitan Director of Agriculture, has said.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Batse stated that the interventions include the distribution of subsidised high-yield hybrid tomato seeds, technical training for farmers, and the promotion of dry-season farming through improved irrigation systems. These measures are part of broader efforts to address recurring tomato shortages, stabilise market prices, and strengthen national food security.
He noted that the Ministry is encouraging farmers to adopt improved agronomic practices, such as appropriate seed selection, nursery management, pest control, fertiliser application, and post-harvest handling. The introduction of improved seed varieties is expected to enhance yields and improve the quality of locally produced tomatoes.
The government is also supporting year-round tomato cultivation, particularly in northern Ghana, through irrigation projects aimed at reducing seasonal supply shortages that often contribute to price increases. "The objective is to improve local production and reduce the country's reliance on imported tomatoes," Mr. Batse said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Abdullah Alhassan, a tomato farmer from Nanton in the Northern Region, has welcomed the interventions, noting that access to improved seeds and technical support could significantly increase production. He highlighted that programmes like the Feed Ghana Programme and the Vegetable Development Project, known as Yeredua, have the potential to enhance productivity and strengthen the local tomato value chain.
However, Madam Saada Adams, a vegetable farmer from Kumbungu, pointed out that inadequate irrigation infrastructure remains a significant challenge to tomato production. She noted that the absence of functional dams and irrigation systems limits farmers' ability to produce during the dry season when demand for tomatoes is often high.
Madam Adams also called for increased access to climate-resilient seed varieties and continuous technical training to improve yields and competitiveness. She observed that Ghanaian farmers generally record lower yields than some neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso, due to limited access to quality inputs and modern farming techniques.
Agriculture experts believe that sustained investment in farmer training, irrigation infrastructure, and improved planting materials will be critical to increasing local tomato production and ensuring a stable supply throughout the year.