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Ghana has taken a significant step toward achieving tomato self-sufficiency following a landmark Public-Private Partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and FarmMate Limited.
The agreement outlines a collaborative model where the government provides policy support and coordination, while FarmMate leads production, implementation, and value chain activities. This builds on the company’s pilot framework introduced in 2021, which is now set for nationwide expansion.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, described the initiative as a critical step toward reducing the country’s reliance on tomato imports, which currently cost around $500 million annually, while addressing supply shortages and post-harvest losses.
Under the expanded plan, FarmMate will cultivate up to 40,000 acres nationwide, aiming to produce about 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes annually. This will be supported by processing facilities capable of handling 20 tonnes per hour, generating approximately 200,000 tonnes of tomato puree each year.
In total, the initiative is expected to deliver up to 600,000 tonnes of tomato products annually, significantly reducing Ghana’s supply gap and dependence on imports.
The partnership will also introduce key infrastructure such as packhouses, pre-processing centres, and logistics hubs to improve storage, aggregation, and distribution efficiency.
Additionally, the programme seeks to address longstanding challenges in the sector, including price instability caused by seasonal gluts and shortages. By minimising post-harvest losses and ensuring a steady supply throughout the year, it is expected to stabilise prices and enhance market reliability.
A central feature of the initiative is a structured out-grower system that guarantees market access for farmers while providing them with inputs and technical support. This is expected to increase productivity, improve incomes, and encourage expansion in farming activities.
The broader impact includes support for tens of thousands of farmers and the creation of over 300,000 jobs across the value chain, particularly benefiting young people through training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Overall, the partnership is positioned as a scalable and sustainable solution to longstanding challenges in Ghana’s tomato sector, contributing to food security, industrial growth, and economic development.
Source: joynews
