The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has assured Ghanaians that government is implementing measures to boost local tomato production and ensure a steady supply of the commodity across the country, reducing reliance on imports from neighbouring countries.
The assurance follows the recent tragic incident in Burkina Faso, where several Ghanaian tomato traders reportedly lost their lives while travelling to purchase tomatoes for the local market.
The development has renewed concerns over Ghana’s dependence on external sources to meet domestic demand for the commodity.
Appearing before Parliament’s Assurances Committee, the Minister said government was determined to transform tomato production through targeted interventions aimed at increasing local output and improving food security.
According to him, Ghanaians should begin to see a significant increase in tomato production within the next three to four months, making the commodity more readily available on local markets.
He expressed confidence that the anticipated increase in output would not only meet domestic demand but could also position Ghana to export tomatoes to neighbouring countries.
“The government is putting the necessary measures in place to boost tomato production.
In the next three to four months, we expect to have enough tomatoes to meet local demand, and we are optimistic that Ghana will even have surplus produce for export,” the Minister stated.
Hon. Opoku explained that the Ministry is working closely with farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain by improving access to quality seeds, expanding irrigation infrastructure, strengthening extension services and promoting modern farming practices to increase productivity.
He noted that achieving self-sufficiency in tomato production would help stabilise prices, improve farmers’ incomes, strengthen food security and reduce the risks faced by traders who travel outside the country in search of supplies.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to revitalising the agriculture sector as part of broader efforts to reduce food imports, create jobs and build a resilient domestic food production system.
