Volta Region is set to boost National Tomato Production initiative – Gunu
Volta Regional Minister James Gunu has commended the government for introducing the Ghana Tomatoes Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI), describing it as a timely intervention to make tomato farming more profitable and predictable for farmers.
Mr Gunu made the remarks at the national launch of GHATSI at Anseco Park in Anloga, where he highlighted the initiative’s potential to increase domestic tomato production and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imports.
He said the programme forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen local agriculture and promote food self-sufficiency.
“Let me commend President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, for the significant investment in the agricultural sector in the Volta Region,” he said.
Mr Gunu cited the distribution of more than 20,000 bags of fertiliser to farmers in the region last year and 1,500 bags to each of the 18 District Assemblies this year as examples of government support for agriculture.
He also disclosed that the Volta Region had received 180,000 birds under a poultry support programme being implemented through the Feed Ghana initiative.
According to him, the region is also benefiting from two of the ten Farmer Service Centres being constructed nationwide this year.
Irrigation support
Mr Gunu said government was working on two new irrigation dams for the region, to be located at Have and Kpando Aziave.
He added that plans were also underway to rehabilitate 22 existing but deteriorating irrigation dams across the region from next year.
Touching on the need for GHATSI, the Regional Minister referenced recent reports of Burkina Faso suspending tomato imports from Ghana, describing the development as an opportunity to accelerate efforts towards national tomato self-sufficiency.
He said Ghana had the land, water resources, favourable climate and hardworking farmers needed to produce enough tomatoes for domestic consumption.
However, the country continues to spend significant amounts on imported tomatoes and tomato-based products, a situation GHATSI seeks to address.
Mr Gunu identified Anloga, Keta, Akatsi North and Agotime Ziope as major tomato-producing areas in the Volta Region and expressed confidence that the region could play a significant role in the national self-sufficiency drive.
He welcomed the initiative’s focus on irrigation, improved farm inputs, technical support, financing, insurance and guaranteed off-take arrangements, saying these measures could make tomato farming more attractive and secure for farmers.
Call for tomato processing plant
The Regional Minister appealed to the Minister of Food and Agriculture to expand GHATSI to cover more tomato-growing communities in the Volta Region.
He also called for the establishment of a tomato processing facility in the region to reduce post-harvest losses, create employment and enable farmers to derive greater value from their produce.
Mr Gunu assured stakeholders that the Volta Region was ready to collaborate with government, farmer groups and other partners to ensure the success of the initiative.
He urged farmers to take advantage of the support being provided under GHATSI to increase production, create jobs and help position Ghana to export surplus tomatoes.
Various farmer unions in the region welcomed the initiative and called for stronger collaboration between government and stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.
Credit to GNA
