FABAG: Tomato imports from Burkina Faso expose policy gaps

The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has raised serious concerns over the country’s agricultural policy direction, highlighting the risks posed by over-reliance on imported produce.

The warning follows recent disruptions in tomato supply triggered by a trade ban from neighbouring Burkina Faso, a key exporter of the commodity to Ghana.

In a strongly worded statement, FABAG described the unfolding shortage as a failure of planning and leadership within the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The association insisted that Ghana has the capacity to produce sufficient tomatoes domestically, provided the right measures are implemented.

“It is completely unacceptable that a country with vast agricultural land, irrigation dams, agricultural colleges, research institutions, extension officers, and a full Ministry of Food and Agriculture cannot produce enough tomatoes to feed its own population and must depend on another country for such a basic food commodity,” the statement said.

Structural weaknesses exposed

FABAG argued that the crisis exposes a long-standing dependence on imports for essential food items, despite Ghana’s natural and institutional advantages in agriculture. The group noted that tomatoes, being a short-cycle crop, present an immediate opportunity for local production to close the supply gap.

“It is an agricultural fact, not a theory, that tomatoes can be produced within two (2) to three (3) months,” the Association stated. It added that, “with irrigation and proper seed varieties, tomatoes begin harvesting within 60 to 90 days after planting.”

The association warned that any inability to resolve the shortage within this timeframe would reflect a fundamental failure of leadership and policy direction in the agricultural sector.

“Therefore, any claim that Ghana cannot solve tomato shortages quickly is simply an admission of policy failure, planning failure, and leadership failure,” FABAG emphasised.

National security risk

Beyond agricultural concerns, FABAG highlighted the broader implications of dependence on foreign tomato supply. “Depending on another country for a basic food item like tomatoes is not just an agricultural issue but a national security risk,” the statement warned.

The Association stressed that Ghana possesses all the necessary resources to address the challenge, including fertile land, irrigation infrastructure, trained farmers, research institutions, and access to inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and mechanisation services. According to FABAG, the problem lies not in capacity but in coordination and execution.

“If after all these resources, Ghana still cannot produce tomatoes to feed its people, then the problem is not farmers, not land, not climate, but the problem is leadership and policy direction,” the statement added.

Immediate intervention measures

FABAG proposed urgent intervention measures to resolve the crisis, including the declaration of a national emergency tomato programme, rapid distribution of improved seeds, subsidised agricultural inputs, and the activation of irrigation systems to support dry-season farming.

The Association also called for the mobilisation of young people into commercial tomato farming, alongside investments in greenhouse production, storage facilities, and processing plants to reduce post-harvest losses.

It argued that such interventions could strengthen the entire tomato value chain while boosting local production.

Additionally, FABAG recommended setting a clear national target for Ghana to achieve tomato self-sufficiency within one year, stating that the current crisis should serve as a turning point for agricultural transformation.

Ultimatum to leadership

The statement concluded with a direct challenge to sector leadership. “If within two to three months the Ministry cannot organise tomato production under irrigation across the country, then the government must seriously consider restructuring the Ministry into a Production-Focused Agricultural Authority with clear targets and accountability,” FABAG asserted.

The Association’s remarks reflect growing pressure on policymakers to move beyond strategic planning and deliver tangible results in food production. As supply disruptions continue to expose weaknesses in Ghana’s agricultural system, the call for immediate action is gaining urgency.

FABAG’s warning underscores the need for decisive government intervention to leverage the country’s abundant resources, strengthen local food systems, and reduce dependence on imports.

Without swift corrective action, the tomato shortage—and similar disruptions in other essential commodities—could continue to threaten both the economy and national food security.