Ghana horticulturists demand dedicated authority, irrigation and tomato factory revival

The Ghana Institute of Horticulturists (GhIH) has called for a dedicated Horticulture Authority to steer the nation’s vegetable sector.

In a seven-point communiqué released on Friday, October 2, 2026, the Institute urged the government to rehabilitate major irrigation schemes and revive tomato-processing factories.

The call was made at the close of its 26th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Fiapre, Bono Region.

The three‑day conference, themed “Building a Resilient Tomato Value Chain in Ghana: Need for Stronger Stakeholder Engagement,” gathered researchers, university lecturers, agriculture directors, farmer groups and NGOs.

GhIH highlighted the Feed Ghana programme’s Yɛredua initiative, which seeks to expand domestic tomato output.

Persistent bottlenecks across the tomato value chain, however, require targeted interventions and stronger stakeholder coordination, the Institute said.

It proposed a dedicated fund for locally adaptable tomato varieties that are high‑yielding, disease‑ and pest‑resistant and heat‑tolerant.

In the meantime, the Institute asked MoFA to subsidise approved hybrid and open‑pollinated tomato seeds.

Urgent rehabilitation of irrigation projects such as Tono, Vea, Bontanga and Akumadan was also demanded to sustain dry‑season production.

Improved irrigation, GhIH noted, would enable farmers to extend cultivation beyond the main season and stabilise supply.

The Institute further offered to partner with MoFA and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to train Agriculture Extension Agents and Technical Officers in modern tomato‑growing techniques.

Training would focus on practices that boost yields and improve post‑harvest handling, with knowledge cascaded to farmers.

Greenhouse tomato production was identified as a complementary strategy to open‑field cultivation, especially during the dry season.

Stronger public‑private collaboration was called for to secure markets and ensure fair prices for growers.

A guaranteed market and attractive farm‑gate prices, the Institute argued, are essential to sustain farmer interest and encourage continuous output.

On processing, GhIH urged the revival of facilities such as the Pwalugu and Wenchi tomato factories to expand local markets and cut reliance on imported processed tomato products.

Reviving these factories, it said, would create jobs for youth and stimulate ancillary economic activity.

The Institute stressed that the horticulture sector holds significant potential to absorb young people and women while enhancing national revenue and food security.

However, it warned that fragmented policies cannot deliver these goals.

“Ghana’s horticulture industry can absorb the youth and women if we create a focused authority and the right infrastructure,” the Institute stated.

The call comes as Ghana seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fresh and processed tomatoes.

GhIH reaffirmed its willingness to work with government and all stakeholders to build a resilient tomato value chain.

The Institute expects the government to engage horticulturists in shaping lasting solutions to the tomato crisis.