Ghana has taken a major step towards tomato self-sufficiency with the signing of a landmark Public-Private Partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and FarmMate Limited.
The agreement sets up a strategic collaboration in which government will provide policy direction and enabling support, while FarmMate leads implementation across production and the wider value chain. The model builds on a nationwide pilot the company has been running since 2021 and is now set for large-scale expansion.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described the deal as a key intervention aimed at reducing Ghana’s heavy dependence on tomato imports, which currently cost the country about $500 million annually. He also noted that it will help address persistent supply gaps and post-harvest losses.
Under the expanded plan, FarmMate will scale operations to 40,000 acres across the country, targeting annual production of about 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes. This will be supported by processing facilities with a capacity of 20 tonnes per hour, expected to produce around 200,000 tonnes of tomato puree each year.
Altogether, the initiative is projected to yield up to 600,000 tonnes of tomato products annually, significantly reducing the country’s supply deficit and import reliance.
The partnership also includes the development of key infrastructure in major production areas, such as packhouses, pre-processing centres, and logistics hubs, to improve aggregation, storage, and distribution across the value chain.
Beyond increasing production volumes, the initiative is aimed at addressing long-standing structural challenges in the sector, particularly price volatility caused by seasonal gluts and shortages. By cutting post-harvest losses during peak seasons and ensuring a steadier supply during lean periods, the model is expected to help stabilise prices and improve predictability in the market.
At the centre of the programme is a structured out-grower system that guarantees a ready market for farmers while also providing them with inputs and technical support. This approach is expected to boost productivity, increase incomes, and give farmers greater confidence to expand their production.
The wider economic impact is also significant. The initiative is projected to support tens of thousands of farmers and generate more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs across the value chain, including production, aggregation, processing, and distribution. A strong emphasis is being placed on youth training and apprenticeship opportunities.
For traders, processors, and consumers, the model is expected to ensure a more consistent supply of quality tomato products that meet market standards, contributing to a more efficient and commercially viable agricultural system.
The partnership comes at a crucial time for Ghana’s tomato sector, which continues to face supply disruptions and structural inefficiencies despite its strong production potential.
With this agreement, government and the private sector are positioning the initiative as a scalable and sustainable solution to one of the country’s long-standing agricultural challenges, highlighting the role of coordinated action in advancing food security, industrialisation, and economic growth.