Accra, March 25, – Government has dismissed fears of a looming tomato shortage following Burkina Faso’s export ban, assuring that ongoing interventions will sustain supply and cushion the local market.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, said strategic measures were already underway to boost domestic production, minimise post-harvest losses, and expand irrigation farming across key production zones.
At a press briefing in Accra, he outlined plans to prioritise improved seed development, enhance irrigation coverage, and strengthen market systems to ensure steady availability of tomatoes nationwide.
Central to the strategy, he said, was collaboration with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement to introduce high-yielding tomato varieties capable of producing at least 15 metric tonnes per hectare within a short period.
Mr Opoku noted that Ghana’s reliance on tomato imports, particularly from Burkina Faso, underscored the urgency of building a resilient local production system.
“With the right systems in place, we can close the supply gap and reduce our dependence on imports,” he said.
He disclosed that Ghana’s annual demand for tomatoes is estimated at 805,000 metric tonnes, while current production stands at about 510,000 metric tonnes, leaving a shortfall of nearly 300,000 metric tonnes.
However, he stressed that nearly 30 per cent of local output—about 153,000 metric tonnes—is lost post-harvest, indicating that reducing waste could significantly bridge the deficit.
Beyond productivity, the Minister highlighted expanded investments under the Vegetable Development Project, including cluster farming schemes in Ahafo and Fanteakwa, as well as the drilling of 250 boreholes in northern Ghana to support year-round farming.
He added that 60 hectares each had already been developed in Ahafo and Fanteakwa with mechanised systems, while a rehabilitated irrigation scheme had made 500 hectares available for immediate tomato cultivation, backed by guaranteed market arrangements.
An additional 100 hectares has also been secured at Akumadan to scale up production further.
Mr Opoku emphasised that the focus was not merely on expanding farmland but on improving efficiency across the value chain—from seed quality to storage and market access.
He expressed confidence that these interventions would stabilise supply, protect consumers from price shocks, and strengthen Ghana’s long-term food security outlook.
GHBUSS
25 March 2026
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