The government has initiated measures to procure 13 tonnes of improved tomato seeds for distribution to farmers nationwide, as part of broader efforts to enhance local production and curb imports.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, announced the intervention at a media engagement in Accra, stating that the improved seed varieties offer better yield potential and extended shelf life.
Widening Supply Gap
The move comes amid a significant imbalance between national demand and domestic production. Ghana’s annual tomato requirement stands at approximately 806,000 tonnes, while current production hovers around 510,000 tonnes, leaving a deficit of nearly 300,000 tonnes that is typically filled through imports.
Beyond the supply gap, the Minister expressed concern over low productivity, noting that Ghana averages just eight tonnes per hectare compared to Burkina Faso’s 18 tonnes per hectare.
“We must focus on developing high-yielding varieties that can perform well under our ecological conditions,” Mr Opoku said, expressing optimism that collaboration with research institutions could help increase yields to at least 15 tonnes per hectare.
Irrigation Expansion
The Minister acknowledged that while Ghana cultivates significant land area for tomatoes, output remains constrained by reliance on rain-fed agriculture and limited irrigation infrastructure.
To address this, the government is expanding irrigation systems across key farming zones. Under the Vegetable Development Programme, irrigation projects are being implemented in parts of the Ahafo and Bono regions, where 60 hectares each are being developed with water supply systems.
Additional interventions include the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities at Dawhenya, where 500 hectares have been earmarked for tomato production, and Akumadan, where 100 hectares are being prepared for cultivation.
Mr Opoku further disclosed that about 250 boreholes are being drilled nationwide to support vegetable farming, particularly during dry seasons.
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses
The government is also facilitating market access by linking farmers directly to buyers in an effort to reduce post-harvest losses, which currently account for about 30 per cent of production.
Mr Opoku assured the public that the combined interventions—improved seeds, expanded irrigation, input support, and market linkages—would significantly increase output and stabilise supply, positioning Ghana to achieve long-term self-sufficiency in tomato production.
