The government has launched the Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI), targeted at the production of about 100,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes in order to reduce the country’s dependence on imported produce.
The Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI), was launched on Tuesday at Anloga in the Volta Region and will be implemented across 35 districts in 10 regions.
The initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in partnership with FarmMate Limited.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku said GHATSI is designed to create a year-round tomato value chain that connects farmers to irrigation, inputs, financing, and guaranteed markets.
“We experience scarcity at one point and waste at another,” he said, explaining that the initiative would address the seasonal nature of production and improve coordination between farmers, aggregators, processors and markets.
Ghana’s annual tomato demand is estimated at 805,000 metric tonnes, against current production of about 510,000 metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of nearly 300,000 metric tonnes.
The situation is further worsened by post-harvest losses, with MoFA data showing that about 30% of locally produced tomatoes, equivalent to approximately 153,000 metric tonnes, are lost before reaching consumers.
Under the new initiative, tomato production is expected to gradually increase to about 400,000 metric tonnes annually.
Participating farmers will have access to a production financing package of about GH¢20,000 per acre. The package will cover inputs, land preparation, soil testing, technical assistance, insurance and other production requirements.
The financing will be repaid through a structured off-take arrangement after harvest, with contracted buyers purchasing the tomatoes directly from participating farmers.
Farmers will also be covered by multi-peril crop insurance, with an insurance value of GH¢50,000 per acre in the event of an insured contingency that destroys the farm.
The programme will further introduce a pension arrangement under which an agreed portion of farmers’ income will be set aside after harvest to provide financial security in retirement.
Mr Opoku also announced plans to rehabilitate all 22 existing irrigation facilities in the Volta Region by the end of 2027 to support year-round and dry-season tomato production.