Accra: Tomato farmers in the Anloga District of the Volta Region have expressed frustration over the lack of a ready market and storage facilities for their farm products, which they say is hindering income and resource growth.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Semabia Agbenyefia, a farmer in Anloga-Avume, highlighted the significant post-harvest losses faced by many farmers due to the absence of storage facilities and a ready market, resulting in tomatoes rotting within days. Agbenyefia noted that drastic reductions in market prices, where a box of tomatoes now sells for as low as GH?70 to GH?80 instead of the expected GH?1,050, have made profitability difficult.
Agbenyefia advocated for the establishment of tomato processing factories in the area to address these challenges, suggesting that such initiatives could preserve products and create jobs for youths and the public. He explained that climate change, including drought and unpredictable rainfall, has exacerbated crop failures and financial losses.
Ms. Cecilia Seshie, another farmer, emphasized the urgency of addressing the challenges with the market and storage facilities, fearing that without robust support, tomato farming in the area might collapse, leading to hunger and unemployment. She mentioned that many farmers have invested between GH?2,000 and GH?5,000, hoping for profitable harvests to cover expenses like school fees and rent, but losses could lead to increased debt.
The farmers are appealing to the government, philanthropists, companies, stakeholders, and farmer associations to help resolve these issues and improve productivity.
