Government Set to Launch Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is set to launch the Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI) to move Ghana progressively toward reliable tomato self-sufficiency by building an integrated, year-round domestic value chain.
The sector minister, Mr Eric Opoku, will launch the initiative on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, at the Anlo Senior High School Park in Anloga, Volta Region.
A press release by the Ministry stated that the initiative is in partnership with FarmMate Ltd and seeks to end import dependency, guarantee a stable year-round supply, and raise and secure farmer incomes through contract farming.
It said the initiative would create sustainable youth employment across the value chain, eliminate avoidable post-harvest losses, and reduce the risk of farming against climate or pest shock.
“Ghana has favourable land, water, and climate; however, the nation currently spends over USD 400 million annually importing fresh tomatoes and paste, heavily driven by the December-to-July off-season deficit,” it added.
According to the ministry, GHATSI would reverse this dynamic by connecting farmers and land to production enhancement, structured finance, multi-peril crop insurance, aggregation, industrial processing, and guaranteed market access.
It said the rollout would target annual national tomato production of 400,000 tonnes, commencing with an initial supply target of approximately 100,000 tonnes during the 2026/2027 production cycle.
“The 2026/2027 first-phase rollout is set to span over 10,000 acres across 40 districts, 12 regions, and more than 100 communities, establishing the production base for progressive scale-up to the full 400,000-tonne annual target,” it stated
The ministry stated that the initiative would include a Farmer Enhancement Package that would give participating growers financed agro-inputs, irrigation support, extension and technical services, and multi-peril crop insurance, with repayment settled directly at off-take.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
