By Edward Dankwah, GNA
Accra, March 25, GNA – 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 seize the opportunity 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 Burkinabe authorities, the situation required urgent domestic interventions.
A statement made available to the Ghana News Agency said the PFAG warned that failure to act decisively could result in an acute shortage of tomatoes, leading to price hikes, increased inflation and a potential food security crisis.
It said tomato production in Ghana continued to face major challenges, including 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 these challenges were 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 further discouraged farmers from expanding production.
The association cautioned that the combined effect of these challenges posed a serious threat to Ghana’s food security, calling 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.
It recommended the establishment of an emergency response plan, in collaboration with stakeholders, to address any looming shortages.
The PFAG urged the government to create more land banks, expand access to irrigation lands and support more farmers to venture into tomato production.
It 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 the government to accelerate efforts to establish and rehabilitate tomato processing factories to ensure full utilisation of produce.
The 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 the government of its readiness to collaborate to improve production and strengthen food security, stressing that urgent action was needed to avert a crisis.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah