Key Points
- Ghana plans to stop GH₵4 billion worth of annual tomato imports from Burkina Faso.
- The government has launched initiatives to improve local vegetable production, including the “Eurybia” project.
- New irrigation and soya processing initiatives aim to boost agricultural self-sufficiency.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is determined to end the annual importation of tomatoes from Burkina Faso, estimated at GH₵4 billion.
This bold move is part of the government’s Feed Ghana program, designed to increase local production and reduce dependency on imports.
Agricultural transformation to boost local production
Eric Opoku, Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture, emphasized that the country could produce its own tomatoes despite the fertile soil and agricultural resources available.
Speaking on Citi FM on April 14, 2025, Mr. Opoku questioned why Ghana continues to rely on imports when neighboring Burkina Faso successfully produces tomatoes.
As part of the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, the government has initiated several programs to support local agriculture.
These include new irrigation projects, a soya processing plant, and a decentralized buffer stock system aimed at addressing post-harvest losses and improving market access.
New initiatives for vegetable and irrigation development
Mr. Opoku announced the launch of the “Eurybia” project, which will focus on increasing the production of tomatoes, onions, and peppers.
He also highlighted the government’s plan to work with a vegetable processing company to absorb produce from local farmers.
The government has selected eight regions for the first phase of its irrigation development plan, which will cover 10,000 hectares of land under the “Irrigation for Wealth Creation” program.
Additionally, a new soya processing plant is being established in partnership with a private investor in the northern part of the country, with the government holding a 40 percent stake in the facility.
The restructuring of the Ghana National Buffer Stock Company will also decentralize its operations to regional offices to enhance efficiency in managing food stocks.
