About three months ago, Ghana faced an acute shortage of tomatoes after Burkina Faso, one of Ghana’s major suppliers of the commodity, announced an indefinite ban on exports.

Due to the heavy impact of the ban in the Ghanaian markets, the government announced measures to enhance local production and prevent future occurrences.

About three months down the line, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has projected that Ghana will experience a tomato glut within the next three to four months as the government steps up efforts to boost local production and reduce the country’s reliance on imports.

“We have put in place a lot of measures, and within the next three to four months, the results will be there for everyone to see. This is another big assurance. We are anticipating a glut of tomatoes in the coming months and….” he said during an appearance before Parliament’s Committee on Assurances on Thursday, July 9.

In anticipation of the glut, the Minister revealed that government has established mechanisms to facilitate an off-take system to guarantee a market for farmers, while engaging tomato processors to purchase the expected surplus.

He added that government is also investing in solar-powered boreholes to support year-round irrigation, enabling farmers to increase production beyond the traditional growing season.

“We are doing a lot of solar-powered boreholes across the country” for irrigation to ensure a formidable output” he said.

The Minister expressed confidence that the measures will strengthen domestic tomato production, improve market opportunities for farmers and gradually reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes while supporting the country’s broader food security agenda.

Govt measures after tomato shortage linked to Burkina export ban

The government announced plans to construct a 60-hectare irrigation facility to boost tomato production in the country, with the aim of enabling year-round tomato cultivation and addressing post-harvest losses in the sector.

This came after an acute shortage of tomato supply on Ghanaian markets, following Burkina Faso’s temporary ban on the export of fresh tomatoes on March 19.

Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on Saturday, April 4, President Mahama indicated that his government was set to intentionally invest in irrigation facilities for the industry, leveraging both internal and local support to strengthen agribusiness nationwide.

He said the move also formed part of his broader agenda to make agriculture and agribusiness central to Ghana’s development strategy.

“We are going to select specific areas where the government is going to intentionally mobilise investment. We will intentionally invest with both local and regional partners to ensure year-round tomato cultivation, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen agribusiness as a pillar of our development agenda,” he said.

When did Burkina lift the ban?

The ban, which was announced to be in effect until further notice, was lifted about two weeks later, following the Ghanaian government’s bilateral talks with the Burkina government, given the country’s heavy dependence on the military-led state’s tomato produce.

Ghana imports about 75,000 tonnes annually, valued at roughly GH¢400 million, particularly during dry seasons.

On April 2, in a press release issued on Thursday, April 2, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry said it had “taken note of the decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes.”

“The Government of Ghana has taken note of the decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes,” the statement reiterated.

Other govt measures to boost tomato production

In March, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, assured Ghanaians that the government has stepped up measures to boost yields, cut post-harvest losses, and expand irrigation-backed production to stabilise supply.

Among the measures are the drilling of over 200 boreholes across the Northern Region, securing more land for tomato cultivation, and improving irrigation systems, as well as introducing improved tomato seeds for better yields.

“Collaboration with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement will deliver improved tomato seeds capable of raising yields to at least 15 metric tonnes per hectare within months. In addition, the government is expanding irrigation under the Vegetable Development Project, including cluster farming in Ahafo and Fanteakwa, drilling 250 boreholes across the northern regions, and securing hundreds of hectares under existing irrigation systems for immediate tomato cultivation,” he indicated.