Ghana’s tomato, ginger shortfalls deepen import bill, CSIR researchers say
Ghana’s tomato imports alone exceed US$230 million annually, while a disease-driven collapse of ginger has left the country 99 per cent import-dependent, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) researchers have said, urging a research-led recovery.
Ghana's tomato imports cost the country over US$230 million annually, with ginger imports filling a 99% gap due to a bacterial wilt outbreak, CSIR researchers have found. The shortfall is attributed to weak seed systems, limited irrigation, poor soil health, disease pressure, and insufficient investment in horticultural research.
Dr Michael Kwabena Osei, a Principal Research Scientist at CSIR Crop Research Institute, highlighted the need for a research-led recovery, emphasizing the importance of a stronger domestic seed system and irrigation. He stated that only 15-18% of the country's tomato demand is met by local production, with imports accounting for more than 60% during the dry season.
Dr Osei also stressed the importance of addressing soil quality, mechanisation, and the establishment of a dedicated Tomato Board by 2028. For ginger, the disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, has left the country 99% dependent on imports, with prices soaring from GH¢250 to GH¢4,000 per sack. The recovery plan for ginger relies on developing resistant varieties, producing disease-free planting material, and deploying farmers through extension networks.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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