Not too long tomato farmers in the Upper East Region were reported to have threatened to stop growing tomato during the next farming season. Their reason for this intended action was as a result of the fact that they were not assured of a guaranteed market. The farmers also complained about their lack of access to improved agricultural extension services.
In fact, what compelled them to come out with such a threat was the fact that their calls over the past years on government to cushion their efforts have yielded very little results. According to the farmers, many of them had had their tomato crops attacked by pests, albeit, they applied the necessary preventive measures taught them by extension officers of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The farmers’ threat came at a one-day consultative forum on tomato industry organized by Trade Aid Integrated in Bolgatanga. The situation, according to the farmers, was making life unbearable as they are unable to get money to fend for their families.
It is important we understand that farmers contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) surpasses the contributions of the other sectors of the economy. It is an undisputable fact that Ghana’s economy rides on the gains and contributions of agriculture. This is also manifested in agriculture’s contribution to employment.
Today is unhappy that in the face of the enormous role played by our farmers in Ghana’s socio-economic development many of them still continue to be saddled with the same old problems which include difficulty in getting credit facilities, lack of subsidies and guaranteed markets and others.
Even where our farmers are able to produce more they have to bear the agony of post-harvest losses because they have no storage facilities to store the excess. This problem has often left our famers without any bargaining power when their products get unto the markets.
We must bear in mind that if nothing is done and the farmers carry out their threat the entire will nation suffer. It will mean that government will have to import tomatoes into the country at a high cost whereas we could crop tomatoes and sell them at relatively cheaper and affordable price to the consuming Ghanaian public.
To this end, Today is urging the Mills administration to ensure that the concerns of the tomato farmers are addressed. Extension officials of the agric ministry must also be sent to Upper East to assist the farmers on a regular basis. We need to motivate our farmers by making available incentives that will urge them to produce more.