Tomato farmers in the Techiman North District of the Bono East Region have raised concerns that the uncontrolled importation of raw tomatoes from neighbouring countries, particularly Burkina Faso, is crippling local production and pushing many growers into severe financial distress.
The farmers have appealed to the Member of Parliament for Techiman North, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry to urgently intervene to protect the local tomato industry.
Speaking on behalf of the growers, Mr. Kwasi Douglas said the influx of imported tomatoes has distorted the market, making it difficult for local farmers to sell their produce at profitable prices.
He called on the government to immediately regulate the imports and urged President John Dramani Mahama to consider establishing tomato processing factories in the area under the 24-hour economy initiative.
Mr. Douglas also appealed to the Crop Research Institute to support farmers with improved hybrid tomato seedlings comparable to those from Burkina Faso, which he said are less watery and more resilient to climate change.
In an interview with the media in Tuobodom, the district capital, Mr. Douglas said tomato growers in Tuobodom and surrounding communities, including Akomadan in the Ashanti Region, urgently need processing facilities to add value to their produce, ensure ready markets, and secure better prices.
He lamented that the absence of processing plants and guaranteed markets has resulted in large volumes of locally grown tomatoes going to waste each year, even as traders increasingly prefer imported tomatoes from Burkina Faso.
According to him, although the price of locally produced tomatoes is officially pegged at about GH¢200 per box, buyers often negotiate prices down to as low as GH¢150, leaving farmers with little choice but to accept losses to avoid spoilage.
“We have no alternative, so we are forced to sell at such low prices. Otherwise, the tomatoes will simply rot,” Mr. Douglas said.
He expressed deep concern that many farmers are now struggling to repay loans and are facing threats of legal action from financial institutions.
“Tomato farming is our only source of livelihood. We invest heavily every season, only to watch much of our produce go to waste,” he said.
Mr. Douglas added that while some farmers are considering abandoning tomato cultivation altogether, many fear doing so would make it impossible for them to repay their debts.
As an interim measure, he appealed to the MP to help identify alternative markets for the tomatoes, while urging the government to prioritise the establishment of a tomato processing factory in the district as a long-term solution.
He noted that with reliable markets and fair pricing, tomato production could become more profitable and help create jobs for the area’s unemployed youth.
