AS part of measures to ensure regular supply of tomatoes and avoid scarcity, Maphlix Farms at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region has committed to injecting 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes onto the market by the end of the year.
The move is expected to stabilise supply, moderate prices, and strengthen the country’s food security as government intensifies efforts to reduce reliance on imports.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, who disclosed this during a working visit to the facility, expressed satisfaction with the farm’s level of investment and its adoption of modern agricultural practices.
The visit formed part of the ministry’s engagement with private sector operators to boost productivity and enhance resilience within the agricultural value chain.
Mr Opoku toured the farm’s irrigation systems, nursery units, greenhouse installations, and open-field operations, describing the facility as a model for large-scale, technology-driven agriculture.
He commended management for investing in the production of improved tomato seeds, noting that such interventions were critical to addressing perennial challenges confronting the tomato industry, including low yields and poor fruit quality.
“The brief we have received indicates that by the end of the year, the farm will produce about 3,000 tonnes, and with ongoing open-field activities, output is expected to increase further.”
“Harvesting has already commenced at the facility, with produce being picked at three-day intervals to ensure a steady flow of fresh tomatoes onto the market,” he revealed.
Mr Opoku noted that the integration of greenhouse and open-field cultivation systems would support year-round production, a key requirement for stabilising supply and prices across seasons.
Addressing concerns by traders over the quality and shelf-life of locally produced tomatoes, the minister said the ministry was collaborating with research institutions to develop improved, climate-resilient seed varieties suited to local conditions.
He gave the assurance that there would be no shortage of tomatoes in the country and urged the public to remain calm and avoid panic buying.
Management of Maphlix Farms reaffirmed their commitment to scaling up production and investing in innovative farming technologies to meet growing domestic demand.
They indicated that the company was also exploring opportunities in processing and value addition to reduce post-harvest losses and expand income streams.
Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited is a major player in the country’s agribusiness sector, engaged in the cultivation, processing, and export of a variety of crops, including vegetables, grains, roots, and tubers. Its operations continue to contribute to job creation and the growth of Ghana’s agricultural economy.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
