Deputy Minister nominee for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has laid out an ambitious plan to breathe new life into the long-dormant Pwalugu Tomato Factory—but with a clear message: “No tomatoes, no factory.”

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, February 24, he stressed that reviving the factory alone would be futile without ensuring a steady supply of raw materials.

“The agribusiness means that we have to work with the agric ministry because they will produce and we will also come in to process,” he said.

Mr Ahi stated that industrialisation hinges on collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture.

“If we bring in the Pwalugu Tomato Factory and we don’t have the tomatoes to feed it, we cannot achieve our objective,” he warned.

To address this, Sampson Ahi outlined plans to support local tomato farmers through targeted educational programs aimed at boosting production.

“It will be in our interest to bring the agric minister on board to introduce education farming to support the tomato farmers,” he noted.

“When they produce the tomatoes, the factory can process them, revitalising the local economy and helping people earn a living.”

The Pwalugu Tomato Factory, once a promising hub for local agribusiness, has faced years of neglect, leaving both farmers and the region’s economy in limbo.

Mr Ahi’s proposal seeks not just to restart production lines but to build a sustainable ecosystem that empowers local farmers and ensures long-term viability.

If successfully revived, the factory is expected to create jobs, reduce tomato imports, and stimulate economic growth in the Pwalugu area.

Sampson Ahi’s commitment to prioritising raw material supply reflects a broader strategy to align industrial projects with local agricultural capacity.