Ghana on Track for Full-Scale Tomato Manufacturing by Year-End, Says Deputy Agric Minister

Introduction: The Strategic Push for Tomato Self-Sufficiency

Ghana is making significant strides toward achieving full-scale domestic tomato manufacturing by the end of 2026, a move aimed at drastically reducing the nation’s reliance on imports, particularly from neighboring Burkina Faso. This pivotal announcement was made by John Dumelo, the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on February 17, 2026. The initiative is not merely an agricultural adjustment but a core component of national food security strategy and economic resilience. With fertile arable land and a capable workforce, Ghana is leveraging targeted investments in irrigation infrastructure and crop variety trials to transform its tomato sector. This plan responds to both long-standing unsustainable import patterns and recent regional security concerns that have disrupted traditional supply chains. This comprehensive analysis will break down the government’s roadmap, the technical trials underway, the expected impacts, and the practical steps being taken to ensure this ambitious goal becomes a sustainable reality for Ghanaian farmers and consumers.

Key Points: Summary of the Government’s Tomato Production Plan

The Deputy Minister’s statements outline a clear, multi-faceted strategy. The essential takeaways are:

• Primary Goal: Achieve full-scale commercial tomato production across key irrigation schemes by December 2026.
• Import Reduction Target: A minimum 50% reduction in tomato imports is expected once the schemes are fully operational.
• Geographic Focus: Trials and production are concentrated in northern Ghana, utilizing existing and rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure.
• Active Trials: Varietal testing is currently happening at the Tono Irrigation Scheme (50-60 acres) and Akomadan to identify high-yield, locally suitable types.
• Timeline: Large-scale planting is scheduled for May-June 2026, with the first major harvest anticipated between August and September.
• Infrastructure Support: The government is rehabilitating irrigation schemes and redeploying equipment (like solar pumps and pumps reclaimed from illegal mining) to support year-round farming.

Background: Ghana’s Tomato Import Dependency and the Urgency for Change

The Scale of the Import Challenge

For years, Ghana has been a net importer of tomatoes, with Burkina Faso serving as the primary supplier. This dependency is economically and strategically untenable. Billions of Ghanaian Cedis are spent annually on imports, representing a significant outflow of foreign exchange. More critically, it creates vulnerability in the national food supply chain. Prices and availability for consumers become subject to the stability, policies, and now, security situations of a foreign nation. The recent tragic terrorist attack on tomato traders in Burkina Faso underscored this existential risk, serving as a stark catalyst for accelerating local production plans.

Domestic Potential vs. Historical Challenges

Ghana possesses the fundamental prerequisites for robust tomato production: fertile land, a tropical climate conducive to growth, and a large agricultural labor force. Historically, the primary constraints have been inconsistent rainfall (making rain-fed agriculture risky), limited access to reliable irrigation, and a lack of coordinated support for high-value horticulture. Seasonal production often leads to market gluts and post-harvest losses, while the dry season creates scarcity and high prices, both filled by imports. The current strategy directly targets these infrastructure and technical bottlenecks.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Production Strategy

The Role of Irrigation Schemes: Tono, Akomadan, and Beyond

The heart of the plan lies in the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) and other national initiatives. The Tono Irrigation Scheme in the Upper East Region is a flagship site. Testing 50-60 acres with different tomato varieties allows agronomists to collect critical data on:

• Yield Performance: Kilograms per acre under local conditions.
• Disease and Pest Resistance: Resilience against common threats like tomato yellow leaf curl virus or nematodes.
• Market Suitability: Fruit size, shape, firmness, and shelf-life for both fresh consumption and processing.
• Input Efficiency: Response to local fertilizers and water usage patterns.

Simultaneous trials at Akomadan in the Ashanti Region provide a different ecological zone for comparison, ensuring recommendations are not region-specific. The government’s rehabilitation of multiple schemes aims to create a network of production hubs, smoothing national supply and reducing geographic disparity in farmgate prices.

Varietal Selection: The Science of ‘What Works Best’

Deputy Minister Dumelo’s comment, “Some of the varieties are doing well; others are not,” highlights the evidence-based approach. It is not a one-seed-fits-all policy. The trials are likely comparing improved, open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and potentially hybrid seeds. Key characteristics for success in the Ghanaian context include tolerance to heat and drought stress, resistance to local diseases, and alignment with consumer taste preferences (e.g., for the popular “Roma” or “round” types). The scaling-up phase will exclusively focus on the proven performers from these trials, maximizing the chance of commercial success for adopting farmers.

Infrastructure and Resource Mobilization

Beyond the land and seeds, the plan addresses critical inputs:

• Water Management: The allocation of solar-powered water pumps is a dual-purpose solution. It provides reliable, low-cost energy for irrigation, reducing farmers’ operational costs and dependency on erratic grid power or expensive diesel. It also aligns with national renewable energy goals.
• Asset Reclamation: The reassignment of pumps seized from illegal mining (galamsey) to legitimate farmers along riverbanks is a clever policy synergy. It converts a symbol of environmental destruction into a tool for agricultural productivity, provided the water sources are managed sustainably.
• Year-Round Farming Focus: The emphasis on renovating schemes for year-round use is crucial. It moves production from a single, risky rainy season to multiple cropping cycles, stabilizing supply and farmer incomes.

Practical Advice: Implications for Stakeholders

For Farmers and Farmer Groups

If you are a tomato farmer or part of a cooperative, the coming months are a period of intense opportunity and preparation:

1. Engage with Extension Services: Proactively contact the Ministry of Agriculture’s directorate in your region. Inquire about the trial results from Tono and Akomadan as they become available and express your interest in the upcoming scaling program.
2. Form or Strengthen Cooperatives: Large-scale production and market access are easier through organized groups. Cooperatives can better negotiate for inputs, access government support programs, and contract with bulk buyers like processors, hotels, and supermarkets.
3. Plan Financially: While the government is providing infrastructure, farmers still need capital for seeds (once varieties are confirmed), fertilizers, labor, and other inputs. Start planning budgets now and explore agricultural credit facilities from institutions like the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) or the National Investment Bank (NIB).
4. Focus on Post-Harvest Management: Increased production will be futile without proper storage and transportation. Begin learning about and investing in simple, affordable technologies like shade nets, improved crates, and basic cooling systems to reduce the 30-40% post-harvest losses common in the sector.

For Policymakers and Development Partners

To ensure the longevity of this initiative:

• Secure Off-Take Agreements: The government and its partners must facilitate binding contracts between farmer groups and reliable buyers (processors, exporters, institutional buyers) before the planting season. This guarantees a market and fair price, de-risking production.
• Invest in Logistics: A parallel upgrade of rural road networks connecting major irrigation schemes to urban markets is essential to reduce transport costs and spoilage.
• Strengthen Extension and Research: The role of the Crops Research Institutes (e.g., the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute – SARI) and field extension officers is critical. Their capacity must be bolstered to provide ongoing technical support to farmers adopting new varieties and irrigation techniques.
• Monitor Environmental Sustainability: Increased irrigation must be paired with water resource management plans to prevent the depletion of groundwater and river systems, especially in the drought-prone north.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will this completely eliminate tomato imports?

Unlikely in the immediate term. The initial target is a 50% reduction by year-end. Achieving full self-sufficiency would require scaling production even further in subsequent years, conquering seasonal gaps, and ensuring consistent quality and volume to meet all consumer and industrial demand. Imports may still be needed during brief transition periods or for specific processed products.

What specific tomato varieties are being tested?

The Deputy Minister did not specify the exact cultivar names. They are likely a mix of improved open-pollinated varieties (e.g., varieties from SARI’s breeding programs) and possibly some commercially available hybrids known for performance in tropical savannah zones. The specific, successful varieties will be announced by the Ministry and research institutes after the trial data is analyzed.

How will smallholder farmers access the irrigation schemes and new seeds?

This is a critical implementation detail. The government typically works through existing farmer-based organizations and irrigation management committees. Access will likely be granted to registered groups that demonstrate capacity to maintain the infrastructure (e.g., the solar pumps). Seed distribution will probably be channeled through the same agricultural extension system, possibly with subsidies for certified seeds of the recommended varieties to encourage adoption.

What are the biggest risks to this plan?

Key risks include: 1) Climate Variability: Erratic rainfall or extreme heat could stress crops even with irrigation. 2) Pest and Disease Outbreaks: Monoculture of a popular crop can invite epidemics. 3) Market Failure: Without guaranteed buyers, a surge in production could crash local prices, disincentivizing farmers. 4) Infrastructure Maintenance: Ensuring farmer groups have the funds and skills to maintain solar pumps and canal systems long-term. 5) Post-Harvest Losses: Without parallel investment in cooling and transport, increased production could lead to more waste.

Conclusion: A Foundational Step for Ghana’s Agricultural Future

Ghana’s push for full-scale tomato manufacturing by the end of 2026 represents more than just a crop-specific target; it is a litmus test for the country’s broader agricultural transformation agenda. The strategy—grounded in evidence-based varietal trials, targeted infrastructure rehabilitation, and resource reallocation—is pragmatically sound. If executed with rigor, particularly in ensuring reliable market linkages and sustained extension support, it can achieve the stated goal of halving imports. Success would conserve foreign exchange, create rural jobs, stabilize consumer prices, and build foundational resilience against external shocks like regional insecurity. However, the journey from trial plots to national food security is fraught with operational and environmental challenges. The government’s commitment must be matched by disciplined implementation, continuous monitoring, and adaptive management. The eyes of Ghana’s agribusiness sector and millions of consumers are on this northern initiative, hoping it will yield a harvest of lasting prosperity.

Sources

• Joy FM (Multi Media Group). (2026, February 17). Interview with Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo. Midday News.
• Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana. (2025). National Agricultural Investment Plan.
• West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP). Project Documents and Implementation Reports for Ghana.
• Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). (Various Years). Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) and Economic Census – Sections on Agriculture and Imports.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. FAOSTAT Database. Commodity Balances for Tomatoes in Ghana.
• Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Research publications on tomato variety trials in Northern Ghana.
• World Bank Group. (2024). Ghana Economic Update: Navigating Shocks for Sustainable Growth – Sections on agriculture and trade.