The government has initiated processes to procure 13 metric tonnes of different varieties of tomato seeds for distribution to farmers across the country.
The move, according to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, forms part of measures to boost tomato production and reduce imports to the barest minimum.
Ghana’s annual tomato requirement is estimated at about 805,000 metric tonnes, while current production stands at around 510,000 metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of nearly 300,000 metric tonnes, which is often filled through imports.
Speaking at a media engagement in Accra, Mr Opoku said the intervention had become necessary due to the widening gap between national demand and local production.
He noted that beyond the supply gap, low productivity per hectare remains a major challenge. While countries such as Burkina Faso record yields of about 18 metric tonnes per hectare, Ghana averages only eight metric tonnes per hectare.
Mr Opoku stressed that addressing the challenge would require a shift from expanding land under cultivation to improving yields through better seed varieties and enhanced farming conditions.
“We must focus on developing high-yielding varieties that can perform well under our ecological conditions,” he mentioned, expressing optimism that ongoing collaboration with research institutions would help increase yields to at least 15 metric tonnes per hectare.
The minister also highlighted land utilisation and irrigation as critical components of the government’s strategy to boost production. He explained that although Ghana cultivates significant areas for tomatoes, output remains low due to reliance on rain-fed agriculture and limited irrigation infrastructure.
To address this, the government is expanding irrigation systems across key farming zones to ensure year-round production. Under the Vegetable Development Programme, irrigation projects are being implemented in parts of the Ahafo and Bono regions, where about 60 hectares of land each are being developed with water supply systems to support continuous cultivation.
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 immediate cultivation.
The minister further disclosed that about 250 boreholes were being drilled nationwide to support vegetable farming, particularly in dry-season production areas. He noted that access to reliable water sources would not only increase yields but also reduce farmers’ dependence on unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Mr Opoku also pointed to land availability as an opportunity, stating that the country has adequate arable land, but productivity must be maximised through improved inputs and efficient water management systems.
In addition to irrigation, the government is facilitating market access by linking farmers directly to buyers to reduce post-harvest losses, which currently account for about 30 per cent of production.
He said the combined interventions of improved seeds, expanded irrigation, input support, and market linkages would significantly increase output and stabilise supply.
Mr Opoku assured the public that the measures being implemented would not only address the current shortfall but also position Ghana to achieve long-term self-sufficiency in tomato production.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
