Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has announced a new public-private partnership (PPP) agreement aimed at significantly increasing domestic tomato production and reducing the country’s reliance on vegetable imports.
The Minister has revealed that the agreement forms part of government’s broader strategy to strengthen local vegetable production, with a particular focus on tomatoes.
The initiative targets an ambitious annual production output of 600,000 tonnes.
According to Mr. Opoku, the deal is a “viable PPP arrangement” designed to curb Ghana’s growing import bill on vegetables while enhancing food security and supporting local farmers.
He emphasized that boosting domestic production would not only stabilize supply but also create employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
The policy is in line with the manifesto commitments of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and reflects the broader agricultural vision of President John Dramani Mahama.
The initiative seeks to build a resilient and sustainable vegetable supply system capable of meeting both local demand and future export potential.
The move comes amid ongoing concerns about Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes, which has long been a challenge for local producers due to issues such as post-harvest losses, inadequate processing capacity, and limited access to financing.
With this new partnership, the Ministry expects to enhance production efficiency, improve supply chains, and position the country’s vegetable industry for long-term growth.
By 1960news.com
