Large-scale tomato production in Northern Ghana possible with ready markets — Daniel Akansake
He noted that tomato production in the Upper East Region was once undertaken on a massive scale but has since declined due to a combination of factors, including pest and disease outbreaks as well as the absence of dependable markets.
An agronomist at the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR), Daniel Akansake, has indicated that large-scale tomato production in northern Ghana is achievable if farmers are assured of reliable and ready markets.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 24, Akansake explained that the northern part of the country, particularly the Upper East Region, has the capacity to produce tomatoes in both high quantity and quality to meet local consumption and export demands.
He noted that tomato production in the Upper East Region was once undertaken on a massive scale but has since declined due to a combination of factors, including pest and disease outbreaks as well as the absence of dependable markets.
“If I say tomato production in the Upper East was massive before and now it is no longer the case, there are reasons, diseases, pests, and lack of ready markets,” he stated.
Akansake however emphasized that challenges related to pests and diseases are minimal currently, as agricultural experts and research partners are actively working to develop and promote effective control measures to support farmers.
He stressed that the most pressing challenge remains market access. As a highly perishable commodity, tomatoes require immediate buyers after harvest.
“Without guaranteed markets, farmers often incur heavy losses, a situation that discourages many from venturing into large-scale production”.
The agronomist therefore called on the public, traders, and institutional buyers to change their attitude by prioritizing and patronizing locally produced tomatoes.
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