Tomato farmers in the Anloga-Avume area of the Anloga District in the Volta Region are appealing for urgent intervention as tonnes of ripe tomatoes rot on their farms due to a shortage of harvesting crates and a lack of buyers.
The farmers said the area had recorded a bumper harvest this season, with enough tomatoes to supply markets in Anloga, Keta, Accra, Kumasi and other parts of the country.
They believe the harvest could also help reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes, particularly from Burkina Faso.
Mr Daniel Kad, a farmer and Assembly Member for the area, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the situation had become more than an economic challenge for individual farmers.
He described it as a food security concern, noting that tomato farming also provides employment for young people involved in loading, transporting and selling farm produce.
According to him, many families depend on income from tomato farming to pay school fees, medical bills and meet their daily needs.
Shortage of Crates
Mr Kad identified an acute shortage of harvesting crates as one of the immediate challenges facing farmers.
He also alleged that some of the few available crates were being controlled by “load boys” who demanded money from farmers before releasing them.
He said the situation had made it difficult for farmers, particularly those who had borrowed money to finance the season, to harvest their produce.
Farmers have invested heavily in seeds, fertiliser and labour, but are now watching their tomatoes deteriorate on the farms because of the difficulties in accessing crates and buyers.
Mr Kad said the crisis had persisted since the previous week, with fresh quantities of tomatoes reportedly rotting each day.
He said the absence of adequate storage facilities and cold rooms had worsened the situation, as farmers had limited options for preserving the tomatoes while waiting for buyers.
Urgent Appeal to Buyers
“We are issuing an urgent appeal to buyers, market women, processing companies and exporters across the country and beyond to visit Avume immediately,” Mr Kad said.
“Our tomatoes are ready for harvest but risked being completely lost without swift intervention.”
The farmers said several of them had taken loans in anticipation of proceeds from the harvest and now faced difficulties repaying their debts.
They warned that continued losses could leave some farmers unable to finance the next farming season and, in some cases, risk losing their farmlands.
The farmers therefore appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Anloga District Assembly, the Volta Regional Minister and the Feed Ghana Programme to intervene urgently to prevent further losses.
They also called on buyers, processors and exporters in Ghana and abroad to make immediate arrangements to purchase the available produce.
Farmers Question Tomato Imports
The farmers expressed concern that Ghana continued to import tomatoes despite having areas capable of producing significant quantities for the local market.
They said stronger support for local farmers, improved access to harvesting crates, reliable markets, storage facilities and processing opportunities could help reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen domestic tomato production.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, and other dignitaries on September 15 launched Ghana’s tomato self-sufficiency initiative at the Anloga Anseco Park.
The initiative is aimed at transforming tomato farming into a more profitable and predictable venture for farmers in Anloga and across the country.
Credit to GNA
