Ghana launches tomato self-sufficiency drive to create 600,000 jobs

Ghana has launched the Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI) to address seasonal shortages and a domestic supply deficit estimated at 300,000 tonnes during the off-season. The program aims to produce 400,000 tonnes of tomatoes annually from over 40,000 acres of land. When fully implemented, the initiative is projected to create more than 600,000 direct and indirect jobs across the entire value chain, including irrigation, processing, and distribution.

The first phase, targeting the 2026/27 production season, aims for 100,000 tonnes from 10,000 acres across 35 districts. To ensure year-round availability, planting will be staggered across the northern, middle, and southern production belts.

In support of these agricultural goals, agribusiness firm FarmMate has begun operating a processing facility capable of handling 120 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day. FarmMate is targeting more than 10,000 acres of organized tomato production by the end of 2027. The company currently has approximately 4,000 acres underway through its farmer enhancement model, which integrates technical support, aggregation, and logistics to stabilize the volatile commodity market.