Accra: Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has commended the government for implementing the Ghana Tomatoes Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI). He described the move as a timely intervention that would transform tomato farming into a more profitable and predictable venture for farmers in the region and the country at large. At the national launch of the initiative at Anseco Park in Anloga, Mr Gunu noted that the programme was part of broader government efforts to boost local agricultural production and reduce the country's dependence on imported food products, particularly tomatoes and tomato-based products.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Gunu expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, for their significant investment in the agricultural sector in the Volta Region. This includes the distribution of over 20,000 bags of fertiliser to farmers in the region last year, as well as 1,500 bags supplied to each of the 18 District Assemblies this year. The Regional Minister disclosed that the region had also received 180,000 birds under a separate poultry support programme as part of the 'Feed Ghana' initiative. This investment was a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to agricultural development in the Volta Region.
Mr Gunu revealed that out of ten Farmer Service Centres being constructed nationwide this year, the Volta Region alone is benefiting from two. This reflects the priority the government has placed on the agricultural potential of the area. On irrigation infrastructure, the Minister announced that the government is working on two new irrigation dams for the region, to be sited at Have and Kpando Aziave. This is assurance that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has committed to rehabilitating 22 existing but deteriorating irrigation dams across the region starting next year.
Touching on the rationale behind GHATSI, Mr Gunu referenced recent reports that Burkina Faso had suspended tomato imports from Ghana. He stated that the development was a small challenge with greater opportunities that reinforced the urgent need for the country to attain self-sufficiency in tomato production. He noted that Ghana possesses the requisite land, water resources, favourable climate, and a hardworking farming population to meet the nation's tomato needs, yet continues to spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on tomato imports, a trend that GHATSI seeks to reverse.
The Regional Minister highlighted Anloga, Keta, Akatsi North, and Agotime Ziope as key tomato-producing areas within the Volta Region. He expressed confidence that the region could make a major contribution to the national self-sufficiency drive under the initiative. He welcomed the programme's focus on irrigation support, improved farm inputs, technical assistance, financing, insurance, and guaranteed offtake arrangements for farmers. He stated that these components would make tomato farming a more secure and attractive venture for both existing and prospective farmers.
Mr Gunu appealed to the sector minister for the expansion of GHATSI to cover more tomato-growing communities across the region. He called for the establishment of a tomato processing facility in the Volta Region to help reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, and ensure farmers derive greater value from their produce. He said the Volta Region was ready to collaborate with the government, farmer groups, and other stakeholders to make the initiative a success. He urged farmers to take advantage of the support systems being rolled out to boost local production, create employment, and position the country to export its surplus tomato produce.
Various farmer unions in the area expressed appreciation and excitement over the exercise and called for collaborative efforts from the government and various individual stakeholders for a successful initiative.