The Government has announced plans to rehabilitate all 22 existing irrigation facilities in the Volta Region by the end of 2027 as part of efforts to transition Ghana from rain-fed agriculture to year-round irrigation-based farming.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, made the announcement at the national launch of the Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI) at Anloga in the Volta Region.
The initiative, launched on September 15, 2026, is being implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in partnership with FarmMate Limited and seeks to establish a reliable, year-round domestic tomato value chain, reduce dependence on imports and improve incomes for farmers.
According to Mr Opoku, the rehabilitation of the irrigation facilities forms part of government’s response to President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to accelerate the transition from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation farming.
He explained that an assessment of irrigation infrastructure across the country showed that several facilities constructed over the years were operating below their designed capacities, largely due to deterioration and inadequate maintenance.
The Minister said the government would therefore invest in rehabilitating existing irrigation infrastructure while also developing new facilities to expand access to water for agricultural production.
He disclosed that two new irrigation dams were also being pursued in the Volta Region, while two new excavators would be provided to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council to support the dredging of lagoons, streams and rivers to improve water flow for irrigation.
Mobile irrigation systems
Mr Opoku further announced the introduction of mobile irrigation systems to enable farmers to access irrigation water more easily.
The systems come with a 10-horsepower diesel-powered water pump, medium-sized pipes, 44 sprinklers and 44 risers, with each unit capable of irrigating approximately five acres.
Government is subsidising 60 per cent of the cost, while farmers are expected to finance the remaining 40 per cent, equivalent to GH¢23,800. Farmers unable to make the payment upfront would be allowed to acquire the equipment through a two-year hire-purchase arrangement.
The Minister said the initiative was intended to make irrigation equipment more accessible to farmers and support increased production throughout the year.
Government has also begun expanding access to water-pumping equipment, with 100 machines already distributed through the Regional Minister and procurement underway for an additional 500 machines.
Fertiliser and improved seeds
Mr Opoku also outlined measures to improve farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, including improved seeds and fertiliser.
He said the Ministry had reached an agreement with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop improved seeds capable of producing yields of between 25 and 30 tonnes.
The Ministry expects the seeds to be available by the end of November, after which they would be procured and distributed to farmers.
Meanwhile, government has procured organic fertiliser for farmers and earmarked 200 cartons to support subsistence and vegetable farmers in the Volta Region.
The Minister explained that the free fertiliser intervention was introduced as an emergency measure following disasters, including the Akosombo Dam spillage and drought conditions in parts of northern Ghana, which resulted in significant losses to farmers.
Gunu commends Mahama
The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, commended President Mahama and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for what he described as significant investments in agriculture in the region.
He said the interventions demonstrated government’s commitment to supporting farmers, increasing food production and strengthening food security.
Mr Gunu recalled that following the celebration of the National Farmers’ Day in the Volta Region under the theme “Eat Ghana, Feed Ghana, Secure the Future,” the region received more than 20,000 bags of fertiliser for distribution to farmers.
He added that each of the region’s 18 district assemblies had subsequently received fertiliser, while the region had also benefited from additional supplies under the government’s agricultural interventions.
The Regional Minister said the Volta Region had also received 180,000 birds under the Feed Ghana poultry support programme, while two of the 10 Farmers’ Service Centres being constructed nationwide were allocated to the region.
“If the entire country is receiving 10 projects and the Volta Region is receiving two of them, that should tell you how much attention this government is giving to the development and agricultural transformation of the people of the Volta Region,” he said.
Mr Gunu said the region had enormous potential for tomato production, particularly in Anloga, Keta, Akatsi North and Agotime Ziope, and called for the expansion of GHATSI to cover more tomato-growing communities.
He also appealed for the establishment of a tomato processing facility in the region to reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs and enable farmers to derive greater value from their produce.
GHATSI targets higher tomato production
The GHATSI initiative targets an initial production of about 100,000 tonnes of tomatoes during the 2026/2027 production cycle, with the long-term objective of reaching approximately 400,000 tonnes annually.
The programme is designed to link farmers to irrigation, improved inputs, financing, technical support, crop insurance, processing, logistics and guaranteed markets.
Mr Opoku said the broader objective was to establish a dependable year-round tomato value chain that would address Ghana’s seasonal tomato shortages, reduce post-harvest losses and eventually create opportunities for value addition and exports.
The launch at Anloga brought together government officials, traditional leaders, farmers, Members of Parliament, local government representatives and private-sector stakeholders.
The government says the combination of irrigation development, improved agricultural inputs, financing, market access and processing infrastructure will be critical to achieving food security and reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported agricultural products.
