Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, says the government is on course to achieve full-scale tomato production by the end of the year as part of efforts to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports, particularly from Burkina Faso.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Tuesday, 17 February, Mr Dumelo described Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes as unsustainable, stressing that the country has the fertile land and human resources to meet domestic demand.

His comments follow the tragedy involving tomato traders in Burkina Faso, where seven people were killed and others were injured in a terrorist attack.

According to the Deputy Minister, tomato production trials have already commenced across several irrigation schemes, especially in the northern parts of the country, with encouraging early results.

“At some of the irrigation schemes, particularly in the north, we have begun trials in tomato production, and by the end of this year, we expect to be in full swing,” he said.

Mr Dumelo disclosed that trials are ongoing at the Tono Irrigation Scheme under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme, covering about 50 to 60 acres. Similar trials are also underway at Akomadan, where different tomato varieties are being tested to determine their suitability and yield performance.

“Some of the varieties are doing well; others are not. These trials are important so we can scale up what works best,” he explained.

He noted that local tomato traders have been informed of the measures being implemented, acknowledging that many traditionally travel to Burkina Faso around this period for trade.

“Once these irrigation schemes come fully on stream, we expect tomato imports to reduce by at least half by the end of the year,” Mr Dumelo added.

Outlining steps being taken between now and the end of the year, the Deputy Minister said planting is expected to begin around May and June, with harvesting anticipated between August and September. He added that several irrigation schemes are currently being rehabilitated, renovated or reconstructed to support year-round farming.

Government, he said, has also distributed solar-powered water pumps to farmers and reassigned water pumps seized from illegal mining activities to farmers operating along riverbanks in non-galamsey areas.

Mr Dumelo expressed confidence that once the interventions are fully implemented, Ghana will record a strong tomato harvest, significantly reducing the need for cross-border trade and strengthening the country’s food security.