The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has described the recent ban on tomato exports by Burkina Faso as a blessing in disguise, urging government to use the situation to boost local production and achieve self-sufficiency.
The Association said although it acknowledged efforts by the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, to engage the Burkinabe authorities, the situation required urgent domestic interventions.
In a statement, the PFAG warned that failure to act decisively could result in an acute shortage of tomatoes, leading to price increases, rising inflation and a possible food security challenge.
It said tomato production in Ghana continued to face major difficulties, including heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, high input costs and weak market linkages.
The Association said the situation was worsened by high post-harvest losses, which discouraged farmers during peak production seasons.
It observed that despite years of investment in irrigation, inputs, storage and processing, the sector had not seen significant transformation.
The PFAG said the challenges were further compounded by rising global costs of energy, fuel and agricultural inputs, which were increasing the cost of production for farmers.
It added that unresolved market gluts affecting crops such as rice, maize, cassava and pepper had also discouraged farmers from expanding production.
The Association cautioned that the combined effect of these challenges posed a serious threat to Ghana’s food security and called for urgent and pragmatic action.
The PFAG urged government to provide clear leadership, direction and a comprehensive strategy to address the situation in the short, medium and long term.
It called on the government to support tomato farmers at irrigation sites with improved seeds, fertilisers and mechanisation services to boost production.
The Association also recommended the establishment of an emergency response plan, in collaboration with stakeholders, to address any looming shortages.
PFAG further urged government to create more land banks, expand access to irrigation lands and support more farmers to venture into tomato production.
It also called for improved market linkages through the provision of storage facilities and efficient distribution systems involving traders and transporters.
The Association advocated the expansion of irrigation infrastructure, including the construction of at least one major irrigation dam in each region.
It urged government to accelerate efforts to establish and rehabilitate tomato processing factories to ensure full utilisation of produce.
PFAG emphasised the need for targeted programmes with clear financing and accountability mechanisms for key agricultural value chains, including tomatoes, rice, maize, cassava and onions.
The Association assured government of its readiness to collaborate to improve production and strengthen food security, stressing that urgent action was needed to avert a crisis.
