The World Bank has secured a $20 million grant from the Government of the Netherlands to overhaul tomato production in Ghana, marking a significant intervention under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP). This funding is intended to boost domestic output and reduce the nation’s heavy reliance on imports, while strengthening the broader agricultural value chain.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ engagement in Accra, Dr Ashwini R. Sebastian, an Agriculture Economist at the World Bank, revealed that the primary focus of the facility would be the promotion of cluster farming. This model is intended to transition the sector toward large-scale, commercialised production. The forum, which was co-hosted by the World Bank, the Economic Governance Platform, and the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, served as a platform for industry leaders to dissect the systemic challenges and latent opportunities within the sector.
The financial commitment extends beyond direct cultivation support. Dr Sebastian disclosed that the Dutch government has pledged a further $1 million for the development of tomato seed production. This targeted investment addresses a critical bottleneck in the supply chain, ensuring farmers have access to high-yielding, resilient varieties. The economist noted that such interventions are increasingly urgent as global geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions continue to threaten the availability of essential inputs such as fertiliser.
According to Dr Sebastian, Ghana’s inability to meet domestic demand remains a paradox given the country’s favourable climatic conditions. She argued that the solution lies in moving away from fragmented, small-scale interventions toward concentrated efforts on large tracts of land. The World Bank advocate suggested that focusing on contiguous areas of between 10,000 and 20,000 hectares would provide the necessary economies of scale to transform Ghana from a net importer into a potential exporter of tomatoes.
“It is not that difficult to solve the tomato problem. With targeted investments and proper coordination, we can significantly reduce imports and even position Ghana for exports.”
The initiative is supported by broader developmental partnerships, including contributions from Norway, which have facilitated the testing of improved seed varieties and the piloting of solar-powered irrigation solutions for dry-season farming. These technological advancements are seen as vital to ensuring year-round food security and mitigating the risks posed by volatile weather patterns.
In response to the briefing, Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, assured stakeholders that the legislature would ensure accountability. He mentioned plans to submit urgent parliamentary questions regarding the use of grants and the progress of existing agricultural policies. Meanwhile, representatives from the Economic Governance Platform urged the government to incorporate agricultural growth more thoroughly into Ghana’s recovery program with the International Monetary Fund, emphasizing the sector’s role as a key driver of economic stability.
