Agric Ministry launches Phase I of tomato production drive

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana has officially launched Phase One of a groundbreaking tomato production drive. This initiative aims to boost domestic tomato production and decrease the nation's reliance on imported tomatoes. The project was unveiled on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in the Volta Region, with the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, at the helm, in collaboration with Farmmate Ghana Limited.

This effort is part of broader agricultural sector transformation and strengthening of local food production.

The main objective of the initiative is to empower farmers to amplify tomato production, thus improving productivity in the sector. The program is expected to have a significant impact on Ghana's tomato importation bill, reduce the country's reliance on foreign tomatoes, and generate employment and income opportunities along the agricultural value chain.

The launch saw the participation of various stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry, private-sector partners, farmers, and other key players. This highlighted the government's dedication towards fostering a more productive and commercially viable agricultural sector. Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, was present, showcasing his commitment to promoting agricultural development and encouraging more individuals to engage in farming and agribusiness.

Ghana has long been dependent on imported tomatoes and tomato products to complement local production, which has implications for the country's foreign exchange requirements and the incomes of local farmers. The new initiative intends to strengthen domestic production by providing necessary support and partnerships. Farmmate Ghana Limited's involvement is expected to infuse the tomato value chain with private-sector expertise and resources, thus complementing the government's initiatives to boost agricultural productivity.

The program aims to place farmers at the forefront of the intervention, assisting them in adopting improved production practices and enhancing yields. By improving productivity and strengthening linkages between producers and markets, farmers could have better prospects for expanding their operations and earning sustainable incomes from tomato production.

Furthermore, the project may stimulate activities beyond the farm such as transportation, aggregation, storage, processing, packaging, and marketing. The Ministry believes that value-chain development is essential to make agriculture more appealing to the youth, create jobs, and promote rural economic development.

The Ministry's focus lies on Ghana moving away from dependency on imported food products and strengthening its ability to produce more of what the country consumes. The tomato initiative is a crucial component of the broader effort to make agriculture more productive, commercially oriented, and capable of significantly contributing to Ghana's economic transformation.

The partnership between the public sector and Farmmate Ghana Limited exemplifies the role of private-sector participation in addressing structural challenges confronting Ghana’s agricultural sector.