Accra, March 25, – The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has described Burkina Faso’s recent ban on tomato exports as an opportunity for Ghana to strengthen its domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.
While acknowledging ongoing diplomatic engagements between the Government of Ghana and Burkinabe authorities, the Association emphasised the need for immediate local interventions to cushion the potential impact of the ban.
In a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, PFAG warned that failure to act swiftly could trigger tomato shortages, drive up prices, fuel inflation, and ultimately threaten national food security.
The Association highlighted persistent challenges confronting tomato production in Ghana, including heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, rising input costs, and weak market linkages. These issues, it said, were further compounded by high post-harvest losses, which continue to discourage farmers during peak harvest periods.
Despite investments in irrigation, storage, and processing infrastructure over the years, the sector has yet to experience significant transformation, PFAG noted. It added that increasing global costs of fuel, energy, and farm inputs were placing additional pressure on farmers.
PFAG also pointed to unresolved market gluts affecting other staple crops such as maize, rice, cassava, and pepper, which have dampened farmers’ willingness to expand production.
The Association warned that the combined effect of these challenges posed a serious risk to Ghana’s food systems and called for a coordinated national response.
It urged government to provide clear policy direction backed by a comprehensive strategy covering short-, medium-, and long-term interventions. Key among its recommendations was targeted support for tomato farmers, particularly those at irrigation sites, through the provision of improved seeds, fertilisers, and mechanisation services.
PFAG further called for the development of an emergency response plan, in collaboration with stakeholders, to address potential supply gaps. It also advocated the creation of land banks and expansion of irrigation infrastructure to encourage more farmers to venture into tomato cultivation.
The Association stressed the importance of strengthening market systems through improved storage facilities and efficient distribution networks involving traders and transporters. It also called for the establishment and rehabilitation of tomato processing factories to reduce waste and ensure value addition.
Additionally, PFAG urged government to roll out targeted programmes for key agricultural value chains, including tomatoes, rice, maize, cassava, and onions, supported by clear financing and accountability frameworks.
The Association reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government and stakeholders to boost production and safeguard food security, stressing that timely action was critical to averting a potential crisis.
GHBUSS
25 March 2026
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