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GHANA WEATHER

New variety needed to revive local tomato farming

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A Consultant for the Federation of Tomato Growers Association of Ghana, Dr. John Akparep, has stressed the need for government to provide the needed resources for the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and partner agencies to develop a tomato seed variety that can survive Ghana’s climatic conditions.

Speaking to GBC’s Radio Ghana in Sunyani, Dr. Akparep said a new variety of tomato is the surest way to revive local tomato farming.

He said tomato farming is floundering because the variety cultivated is not desired by consumers due to its poor quality.

Statistics show that Ghana spends about one million dollars on the importation of tomatoes annually.

Though tomatoes is cultivated locally, about 90 percent comes from Burkina Faso causing financial loss to the country.

Tomato farming seems to be losing its attraction as farmers continue to operate below capacity due to the unavailability of ready markets in Ghana.

Stakeholders in the Tomato Industry in the former Bono-Ahafo Area, consequently met to deliberate on the way forward for the industry.

It was financed by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) with support from DANIDA and USAID.

Dr. John Akparep is a Consultant for the NGO, Centre of Posterity Interest Organization and a BUSAC Fund Service Provider for the Tomato Growers Association.

Secretary to the Federation of Tomato Growers Association of Ghana, Kwasi Nyarko, reiterated the need for government and the CSIR to intervene in tomato farming areas with preferable seeds.

Mr. Nyarko lauded government’s efforts at providing organic agro chemicals to farmers.

Farmers were advised to seek assistance from Agricultural extension officers to address challenges confronting them.

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