The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has revealed that government funding has been directed to the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement to support the development of a high-yielding tomato variety aimed at increasing domestic output.

He made this known while addressing Parliament in response to a statement on the floor of the House.

The Minister explained that the improved tomato breed is projected to produce more than 20 tonnes per hectare, which is expected to help bridge Ghana’s estimated 300,000-tonne shortfall needed to achieve self-sufficiency.

He further noted that efforts to cut post-harvest losses currently estimated at about 30 percent will be key to tackling the challenges facing tomato production in the country.

“We have decided, and this morning we held a meeting of WACCI of Legon and some of the research institutions, and they have given us the assurance that they can give us a variety that can give us more than 20 tonnes per-hectare.

“We have made some resources available to ensure that we develop that variety to bring a lasting solution to the problem,” he stated.

“If we are able to eliminate post-harvest losses alone, we are adding unto our production 153,000 tonnes of tomato. That reduces the gap from 300,000 to 140,000.

“On assumption of office, we decided to launch a programme called Vegetable Development Project popularly known as “yeredua.” This was launched in July last year. The project is anchored on three pillars; seed, irrigation and marketing,” he said.