Tomato Crisis: FABAG Proposes 90-Day Production Plan

The Chairman of the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, Rev. John Awuni, has delivered a blistering indictment of Ghana’s agricultural leadership, declaring that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has “no justification to exist” if it cannot mobilise the country to produce tomatoes within 60 to 90 days.

The strong-worded statement follows an acute tomato supply crisis triggered by a ban on exports from Burkina Faso, a development that has exposed Ghana’s continued dependence on external sources for a basic food commodity.

According to FABAG, the situation reflects “dangerous weakness, poor planning and policy failure” within the country’s agricultural sector, despite the availability of vast arable land, irrigation infrastructure, research institutions and extension services.

“It is completely unacceptable that a country with such resources cannot produce enough tomatoes to feed its own population,” Rev. Awuni stressed, insisting that the current crisis is not a matter of theory, but a failure of leadership and execution.

FABAG argued that tomatoes are a short-cycle crop that can be cultivated and harvested within two to three months under proper irrigation and improved seed systems.

Rev Awuni maintained that Ghana has no excuse for persistent shortages, pointing to major irrigation schemes such as Vea, Tono, Botanga, Kpong and Dawhenya, as well as access to fertilisers, pesticides, mechanisation centres and agricultural expertise.

“If the Ministry were proactive and results-oriented, Ghana could immediately launch a national emergency tomato programme and begin harvesting within three months,” the statement noted.

Food Security or National Risk?

The Association warned that reliance on another country for a staple food item goes beyond agriculture and poses a national security risk. “Today it is tomatoes; tomorrow it may be something else. Economic security is national security,” Rev. Awuni cautioned.

FABAG further argued that the failure to achieve self-sufficiency, despite the presence of agricultural universities, research institutions and government subsidy programmes, points squarely to policy and leadership deficiencies rather than structural limitations.

To address the crisis, the Association has called for immediate and decisive government intervention, including the declaration of a national tomato emergency programme and the rapid distribution of improved seeds nationwide within two weeks.

Other measures proposed include subsidised fertilisers and agrochemicals, activation of irrigation systems for dry-season farming, mobilisation of unemployed youth into commercial tomato production, and the introduction of guaranteed pricing for farmers.

FABAG also advocated support for greenhouse farming, revival of tomato processing factories, and investment in cold storage and transportation to minimise post-harvest losses. The Association is further pushing for Ghana to achieve full tomato self-sufficiency within one year.

Call for Structural Reforms

In a particularly striking recommendation, FABAG urged government to consider restructuring the Ministry of Food and Agriculture into a production-focused agricultural authority with clear targets and accountability mechanisms if it fails to act within the proposed timeframe.

“The time for excuses is over. The time for production is now,” the statement concluded, urging authorities to match policy ambitions, including the government’s 24-hour economy agenda, with tangible food production outcomes.

The remarks are expected to intensify public debate over Ghana’s agricultural strategy and its vulnerability to external shocks in critical food supply chains.

 

 

 

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