'It's worrying for anyone to suggest we're doing nothing' - Agric Minister says amidst tomato crisis
Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, pushed back against claims that the Ministry is inactive in addressing Ghana's tomato supply challenges, describing such assertions as unfair and misleading in an interview on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem. Mr. Opoku said, "For a very long time, we have all been worried about the fact that for a long time, we depend on Burkina Faso for tomatoes." He explained that engagements with market women and importers revealed that local tomato varieties had high water content and spoiled quickly.
The Ministry has supported the development of improved tomato varieties that outperform those previously imported. The government is also taking steps to scale up production through irrigation and other interventions, including solar powered boreholes for farmers. Farmers have been supported with seeds, organic fertilisers, and technical guidance to boost output. Discussions are ongoing with the Finance Ministry to secure funding to accelerate irrigation expansion and other interventions. John Dramani Mahama has taken a keen interest in the situation following Burkina Faso's export ban, urging the Ministry to fast-track its plans.
Mr. Opoku expressed concern over suggestions that the Ministry is idle, particularly in light of a 90-day ultimatum issued by the Food and Beverages Association Ghana (FABAG), which has demanded swift action to address the tomato shortage or risk being deemed ineffective. He stressed that government processes, including procurement and funding approvals, must be followed before large-scale interventions can be implemented.
Quick Summary
Ghana's Agric Minister, Eric Opoku, is addressing concerns about the country's tomato supply, particularly dependence on imports from Burkina Faso. He says the Ministry has been working to improve local tomato production- but challenges remain.
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