PFAG urges Gov’t to create deliberate Policies to boost local tomato Production
According to him, Ghana’s heavy reliance on tomato imports is draining the national economy and undermining local farmers.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) is calling on governments to implement deliberate and targeted policies to drive local tomato production for both domestic consumption and export.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 24, the National Secretary of PFAG and Upper East Regional Focal Person, Isaac Pabia, said Ghana has the potential to become a leading producer of tomatoes in the sub-region if the right policy interventions are put in place.
According to him, Ghana’s heavy reliance on tomato imports is draining the national economy and undermining local farmers.
“In 2024, Ghana spent 22.3 million dollars on tomato imports, and about 90 percent of that came from Burkina Faso. That tells you the quantum of money leaving this country and going into building livelihoods in another country,” he said.
“Why should this be the case when Burkina Faso is even drier than Ghana?”
Pabia attributed the country’s dependence on imported tomatoes to policy failures, particularly the lack of investment in irrigation, inadequate post-harvest management systems, and persistent production gaps.
He noted that the recent attack on Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso should serve as a wake-up call for the country to rethink its approach to tomato production and agricultural planning more broadly.
The PFAG Secretary stressed the urgent need for government to address post-harvest losses, create reliable market opportunities, and establish structured marketing systems that guarantee ready buyers for farmers.
He described these measures as critical incentives that would encourage farmers to increase production without fear of financial loss.
“Government should be strategic in handling post-harvest challenges. There should be agricultural enclaves that serve as preservation and storage centers for farmers who are unable to sell their perishable produce like tomatoes,” he said.
He cited Navrongo as an example, explaining that farmers are often compelled to discard their produce due to the absence of storage facilities, even in areas where large irrigation schemes such as the Tono project operated by the Irrigation Company of Upper Region (ICOUR) exist.
“If you produce tomatoes in Navrongo and you’re unable to sell them, the next option is to throw them away because there are no storage facilities. That discourages farmers,” he added.
Pabia emphasized that once farmers are confident that government policies are intentional, market-driven, and protective of their investments, they will be more willing to scale up production.
“When farmers see that their sweat will not go to waste and that there is a clear national priority on tomato production, they will be ready to produce at levels that can meet local demand and even support exports.” He said.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adupana
