Tomato farmers in Akumadan, the capital of the Offinso North district in the Ashanti Region, have disclosed that traders purchase boxes of tomatoes at Ghc100 and subsequently sell them at exorbitant prices in other markets.
A chief tomato farmer, Prince Atta Boadu, made this revelation during an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
He made the remarks following the deaths of tomato traders in Burkina Faso who were attacked by armed bandits while conducting business.
According to Boadu, local traders prefer Burkinabe produce due to its perceived higher quality compared to Ghanaian tomatoes.
He noted that, paradoxically, Ghanaian traders are the primary buyers of Burkina Faso’s tomato exports.
Mr Boadu explained that traders often describe Ghanaian tomatoes as overly watery with a short shelf life.
Prince Atta Boadu also pointed out a significant disparity between farm-gate prices and market retail prices.
He stated that farmers typically sell boxes of tomatoes for as low as GH₵100, which are then sold at substantially higher prices in city markets.
Prince Atta Boadu lamented this disparity and urged the government to provide necessary support to enable local farmers to expand production and replicate the quality of tomatoes exported from Burkina Faso.
He said they have the capacity to plant the preferred tomato traders and Ghanaians import from Burkina Faso, but the seeds are expensive.
“The seeds are expensive. You need more than GH₵2,000 to purchase about half of a milk tin’s worth, and after growing, it will not even cover an acre of tomatoes. So, we need the support of the government to purchase the seeds so we can also grow them in Ghana and reduce importation.”
Despite these challenges, the potential for self-sufficiency in Ghana’s tomato industry remains high.
Mr Boadu said, “There are approximately 300 acres of land in Akomadan specifically suited for tomato production, and farmers have the capacity to grow and harvest the required quantities within just three months.” With targeted government support—specifically in the form of subsidised, high-quality seeds—local farmers could fully supply the nation’s demand and drastically reduce the current reliance on imports.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
