The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has urged improved coordination between farmers and industries to tackle the persistent surplus of tomatoes in Ghana.
Speaking during the Greater Accra Region Thank You Tour, Mr Asiedu Nketia highlighted that while farmers often produce large quantities of tomatoes, many struggle to find buyers, even as the country continues to import tomatoes and other vegetables.
He explained that the challenge arises because factories require specific varieties of tomatoes suitable for processing.
“Even when tomatoes are produced locally, there is often an oversupply and difficulty in finding buyers. The real issue is that, despite our tomato production, Ghana still imports tomatoes. Factories that use tomatoes require a specific type, so unless we grow that particular variety, our tomatoes end up rotting while other tomatoes are imported,” he said.
He also criticized hotels for importing vegetables for tourists rather than sourcing locally, arguing that this practice limits the economic benefits Ghana could derive from tourism. “Many hotels in Ghana import tomatoes and other vegetables. When tourists visit, they consume imported produce, which means our local farmers miss out. As a result, the economic benefits of tourism are minimal because we rely on imports for everything they eat,” he added.
Mr Asiedu Nketia called on stakeholders to identify the specific agricultural products required by industries and hotels so that farmers can produce accordingly. He stressed that producing the right tomato varieties for processing will support local factories, create jobs for youth, and enable the country to derive greater benefits from its agricultural sector.
“Tourism based on such practices doesn’t truly benefit any country. It’s time we understand the needs of hotels so we can produce what they require and earn income from that production. If we want to establish tomato processing factories, we must focus on producing the type of tomatoes they need, which will, in turn, create jobs for the youth,” he concluded.
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