Ghana launches tomato research project to triple yields, reduce import dependence
The suspension has exposed Ghana’s vulnerability to regional trade shocks and accelerated the search for self-sufficiency.
GHANA – Ghana has launched an agricultural research project to develop new tomato varieties capable of yielding 20 tons per hectare, three times the current national average of 8 tons in a bid to reduce import dependence following export restrictions from neighboring Burkina Faso.
Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku announced the initiative before Parliament on March 25, confirming that resources have already been allocated to ensure its success.
To begin with, the project, conducted in partnership with Nigerian firm WAKI Farms and multiple research institutes, aims to close a production deficit estimated at 300,000 tons that Ghana currently fills through imports annually.
“While our counterparts in Burkina Faso produce 18 tons per hectare, Ghana only averages eight tons. The problem lies mainly in the seed varieties used for tomato production,” Opoku said.
The country’s tomato harvest has stagnated between 2020 and 2024, never exceeding 400,000 tons according to FAO estimates. By targeting tripled yields, the government is creating a market for improved inputs, technical expertise, and post-harvest infrastructure that investors can supply.
The timing for this is critical especially when Burkina Faso, Ghana’s primary tomato supplier, suspended shipments on March 16 as part of its industrial development strategy. The Smallholder Farmers Association of Ghana warned that prolonged interruption without domestic response could cause shortages, fuel inflation, and increase food security risks.
More importantly, the suspension has exposed Ghana’s vulnerability to regional trade shocks and accelerated the search for self-sufficiency.
Infrastructure gaps identified by farmers present clear investment opportunities. The PFAG notes that tomato production remains heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, suffers from high input costs, and faces significant post-harvest losses due to insufficient storage and processing capacity.
Additionally, the research initiative aligns with a broader response to the supply crisis. On March 25, the World Bank announced US$20 million in funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support Ghana in managing tomato supply disruptions.
Therefore, this intervention will focus on strengthening supply systems, improving storage capacity, and supporting local production, complementing the research project’s focus on seed improvement.
Lastly, Nigeria’s involvement as a partner is also strategic. As Africa’s second-largest tomato producer after Egypt, Nigeria has demonstrated that yields between 14 and 20 tons per hectare are achievable in West African conditions.
For investors, Ghana’s collaboration with Nigerian expertise signals openness to cross-border agricultural partnerships that accelerate capability building.
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