Ghana has begun taking concrete steps to strengthen local tomato production, even before recent regional supply challenges emerged, according to Dr. Peter Otokunor, Director of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agri-business.
Speaking on TV3 on Saturday, March 21, Dr. Otokunor said ongoing investments aim to reduce the country’s reliance on imports, particularly in light of disruptions like Burkina Faso’s recent halt of tomato exports.
“These measures are part of a broader strategy to ensure food security and stabilise supply,” he explained.
As part of these efforts, the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority is assessing existing irrigation schemes nationwide to identify areas suitable for large-scale cultivation. Authorities are targeting roughly 70,000 hectares of land to significantly boost tomato production.
Dr. Otokunor also highlighted the government’s FEED Ghana Programme as a key intervention driving agricultural growth. The initiative focuses on supporting farmers and young people, improving local food availability, and providing raw materials for agro-processing industries—efforts designed to enhance exports and create jobs.
He added that tomatoes, alongside onions and peppers, are flagship crops under the programme. “If you look at the FEED Ghana policy, tomato, onion, and pepper are the flagship focus for increased domestic production. There are clear investment commitments already underway,” Dr. Otokunor stated.