The government has stepped in to buy 1,000 boxes of tomatoes and 2,000 bags of onions cultivated by farmers in the Asante Akim North District of the Ashanti Region.
The intervention was triggered by concerns that farmers risked post-harvest losses due to a lack of buyers, despite achieving a bumper harvest under the Feed Ghana Programme.
Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Kwame Ohene Asante, noted that smallholder farmers had increased tomato and onion production under the initiative but struggled to sell their perishable crops.
Responding to the situation, President John Dramani Mahama directed that senior high schools in the district procure all the tomatoes and onions produced. “This guarantees farmers fair value for their crops while ensuring students benefit from fresh, locally grown food,” said Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness.
At a press briefing, Dr. Otokunor confirmed that the entire tomato consignment had already been taken up. The occasion also marked the launch of the public registration portal for the government’s Three Million Coconut Seedlings Initiative.
“The process is simple and digital,” he explained. “With a phone, tablet, or computer, farmers can complete registration in minutes by providing their name, contact, farm location, and acreage. Beneficiaries must also prepare their land in advance to ensure timely planting and maximum success.”
Officials say the intervention not only addresses immediate market challenges but also supports long-term crop diversification, strengthening farmer livelihoods and boosting Ghana’s agribusiness sector.
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