{
  "id": 8321616,
  "title": "Minister Pushes For Tomato Factory In Volta To Cut Post-Harvest Losses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/minister-pushes-for-tomato-factory-in-volta-to-cut-post-harvest-losses",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T12:43:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Guide Network",
    "slug": "daily-guide-network",
    "url": "https://dailyguidenetwork.com/minister-pushes-for-tomato-factory-in-volta-to-cut-post-harvest-losses/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has advocated for the establishment of a tomato processing factory in the Volta Region to minimize post-harvest losses, generate employment, and augment the value of tomato production under the Ghana Tomatoes Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI). Mr. Gunu highlighted that the proposed factory, alongside irrigation, advanced farming tools, accessible financing, insurance, and guaranteed off-take agreements, would enhance profitability and appeal for tomato farming among regional farmers. He made these remarks during the launch of the GHATSI at Anlo Senior High School Park in Anloga, praising President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, for their substantial investments in agriculture within the Volta Region. Mr. Gunu reported that the region received over 20,000 bags of fertilizer last year, with an additional 1,500 bags allocated to each of the 18 District Assemblies this year. Furthermore, the region has been granted 180,000 birds through the Feed Ghana initiative. He also mentioned the construction of two new irrigation dams in the Volta Region and plans to rehabilitate 22 aging irrigation dams to promote year-round farming and boost agricultural output. Mr. Gunu pointed out that Burkina Faso's suspension of tomato imports from Ghana should be viewed as a challenge and an opportunity for Ghana to accelerate its tomato self-sufficiency efforts. With Ghana's ample land, water resources, favorable climate, and industrious farming population, the nation possesses the capability to produce sufficient tomatoes to meet domestic demand. The minister emphasized that Ghana annually spends millions of dollars on tomato imports despite its agricultural potential. GHATSI aims to address this issue by offering measures such as irrigation, enhanced farm inputs, technical assistance, financing, insurance, and assured off-take arrangements, which could alleviate the risks associated with tomato farming and encourage more young people to engage in this lucrative agricultural venture. Farmer unions in the Volta Region expressed their support for the initiative and emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between government, farmers, processors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure its success. Mr. Gunu called for all stakeholders to unite in achieving Ghana's self-sufficiency in tomato production and establishing a processing facility to minimize post-harvest losses, create employment opportunities, and maximize the value derived from tomato crops.",
  "summary": "The Volta Regional Minister and Agriculture Minister with some tomato farmers The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has called on the government to establish a tomato processing factory in Read More... The post Minister Pushes For Tomato Factory In Volta To Cut Post-Harvest Losses appeared first on DailyGuide Network .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}