Tomatoes, a key staple in Ghanaian cuisine, are consumed in nearly every household, forming the base of stews, soups, salads, and sauces. Despite their importance, local production often falls short of demand, forcing the country to import large volumes primarily from neighboring Burkina Faso.
This high demand has led many Ghanaians into tomato farming, including Yaw Wiafe, a veteran farmer from Asante Akyem Agogo in the Ashanti Region, who has cultivated tomatoes since 1998. But in 2024, Wiafe’s nearly three decades of experience could not shield him from the harsh realities of climate change.
In an interview, Mr. Wiafe shared how extreme weather patterns completely destroyed his 8-acre tomato farm.
“I have been in tomato farming for nearly 27 years, but I have never seen such devastation. Climate change wiped out my entire production,” he lamented.
Wiafe disclosed that he invested GHS 150,000 into the farm but was unable to recoup his investment due to erratic rainfall and poor weather conditions.
“Because of the terrible road leading to my farm, no vehicle would take me there. I had to walk 20 kilometers every day—only to harvest nothing,” he added.
Under ideal conditions, tomato seeds germinate within 6 to 8 days, with harvesting occurring 100 to 120 days after transplanting. However, irregular rainfall and temperature fluctuations have disrupted this cycle, drastically reducing yields.
“I took out another loan in early 2025 to start fresh, hoping for favorable weather. But again, poor rainfall and humidity slowed the plants’ growth, forcing me to incur additional costs,” he said.
Despite high inputs, Wiafe’s first harvest came three months after planting—well beyond the expected timeline. He emphasized how climate-induced humidity has intensified pest infestations and plant diseases, forcing farmers to increase pesticide use.
“Prices of pesticides have tripled, and we have to use more to protect our crops. This raises production costs and makes it nearly impossible for farmers to break even,” he explained.
Wiafe also expressed frustration over market dynamics. Without access to cold storage, farmers are forced to sell quickly—often at exploitative prices dictated by middlemen.
“After all our struggles, traders offer us very low prices because the produce is perishable. Currently, a small wooden box sells for GHS 900 and a large one for GHS 1,800 at the farm gate,” he said.
Ghana’s tomato imports continue to grow. According to the World Integrated Trade Solution, the country imported fresh or chilled tomatoes worth $169,260 (approximately 139,709 kg), primarily from Burkina Faso, the Netherlands, and Morocco.
Wiafe believes this trend is unsustainable.
“We have fertile lands and hardworking farmers ready to produce, but we lack basic support. Why should a country with rich soil depend on tomato imports from desert-prone regions?” he asked.
He called for urgent national investment in irrigation infrastructure. Most tomato growers depend solely on rainfall, making them highly vulnerable to climate variability.
“Asante Akyem Agogo and Akomadan are known for tomato farming, yet not a single government-sponsored irrigation system exists here,” he said. “With proper support, we can produce enough to meet national demand.”
As climate change continues to threaten food systems, Wiafe’s story highlights the urgent need for policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and climate-resilient agricultural practices to safeguard Ghana’s tomato industry.
Source: Daily Agric News
