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The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) has received government backing to develop an improved tomato variety aimed at boosting local production, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku announced on the floor of Parliament.
The new variety is expected to produce over 20 tonnes per hectare, helping to close Ghana’s estimated 300,000-tonne deficit needed to achieve self-sufficiency in tomato production.
“We have decided, and this morning we held a meeting of WACCI of Legon and some of the research institutions, and they have given us the assurance that they can give us a variety that can give us more than 20 tonnes per hectare. We have made some resources available to ensure that we develop that variety to bring a lasting solution to the problem,” the Minister stated.
Minister Opoku highlighted that reducing post-harvest losses—currently estimated at 30 percent—will significantly contribute to closing the production gap.
“If we are able to eliminate post-harvest losses alone, we are adding unto our production 153,000 tonnes of tomato. That reduces the gap from 300,000 to 140,000,” he explained.
The Minister also referenced the Vegetable Development Project, popularly known as “Yeredua,” launched in July 2025. The initiative focuses on three key pillars: seed development, irrigation, and marketing, aiming to strengthen the vegetable sector in Ghana.
The government’s intervention signals a strategic push to improve local tomato production, support farmers, and reduce reliance on imports.
