Tomato farmers and buyers in Agogo in the Asante Akyem North Municipality of the Ashanti Region have taken to the streets to protest what they describe as the rejection of their produce in markets in Kumasi.
The demonstrators, comprising farmers and tomato buyers, marched through the principal streets of Agogo to draw attention to the difficulties they say are affecting the sale of tomatoes produced in the area.
According to Obaa Adwoa, Deputy Tomato Queen Mother, buyers who travel from Kumasi to Agogo to purchase tomatoes are allegedly being prevented from transporting the produce into Kumasi.
She claimed the situation was linked to competition between tomatoes produced in Agogo and those from Ada, which she said are currently commanding higher prices on the market.
She alleged that some traders were opposed to the entry of the cheaper Agogo tomatoes into Kumasi because of concerns that they could affect the market for Ada tomatoes.
The development, she said, was causing significant financial losses for farmers and buyers in Agogo, with some farmers reportedly struggling to find markets for their produce.
“We are also Ashantis and Ghanaians. Therefore, we are appealing to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the President and the Minister of Agriculture to intervene,” she said.
The demonstrators are calling for urgent intervention to ensure that farmers and traders can freely transport and sell their tomatoes in markets across the country.
They say a resolution of the matter would help protect their livelihoods and prevent further losses resulting from unsold or rejected produce.
