The Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Bismark Owusu Nortey, has attributed Ghana’s ordinary tomato shortages and seasonal gluts to deep structural weaknesses throughout the nation’s agricultural device.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Monday, February 23, Mr Nortey described the placement as multifaceted, stressing that Ghana’s lack of ability to provide sufficient tomatoes year-round isn’t because of farmers’ loss of effort however to systemic constraints.

“As a country, we rely on a short period where we go into a lot of production. During that period, we experience glut because we do not have adequate storage facilities,” he defined.

He famous that the placement sharply reverses all the way through the lengthy dry season, when farming actions considerably cut back because of restricted irrigation infrastructure. During this lean length, buyers are forced to import tomatoes from neighbouring international locations, specifically Burkina Faso, to satisfy home call for.

Mr. Nortey additional highlighted the prime price and restricted availability of advanced seed sorts as every other primary barrier to greater manufacturing. He stated many smallholder farmers can not find the money for high quality seeds, which impacts yields and consistency.

Storage demanding situations, he added, proceed to aggravate the cycle of waste and shortage. In sessions of bumper harvests, the loss of chilly garage amenities ends up in vital post-harvest losses. Yet, all the way through the tilt season, there are not any reserves to stabilise provide and costs.

“We do not have adequate systems where we can store tomatoes in cold stores and push them out during the lean season,” he mentioned.

He emphasized that with out strategic approach in garage, irrigation, and reasonably priced inputs, Ghana will proceed to oscillate between extra and shortage — undermining meals safety and farmer earning.

His feedback come amid emerging tomato costs throughout a number of markets in Accra following final week’s fatal assault on Ghanaian buyers in neighbouring Burkina Faso. Market girls say the disruption in international provide has brought about shortages, pushing costs upward and leaving many shoppers suffering to deal with the expanding price.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by way of Readers and Contributors in this platform don’t essentially constitute the perspectives or coverage of Multimedia Group Limited.