Market Queens of the Ghana National Tomato Traders & Transporters Association (GNTTTA) have applauded the quality of the first harvests of tomatoes produced under the FSRP-Norwegian tomato intensification drive; and are in the process of mobilizing the uptake of truckloads of the produce from farms across eight ( districts in the Upper East Region to markets around the country).
GNTTTA’s GREEN LIGHT TO THE RED FRUIT
The traders, who were taken on a tour of the farms by FSRP - to inspect and assess the quality and quantities of the harvested fruits, hailed their overall attractiveness, firmness, bright red colour, shape, weight, high brix (low liquid content), and verifiable potential for long shelf life at ambient - and concluded that the FSRP-produced tomatoes were highly consistent with market preferences. They pledged commitment to move the produce from the farms to the markets should they continue to meet those standards.
The FSRP-Norwegian Tomato Support is a sub-project under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) to control, in a gradual progressive manner, the yearly incidence of dry season tomato shortages and price hikes across the country, The initiative is being implemented by FSRP under a US$2.2 million Norwegian Government grant, through the Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MoFA) and is coordinated by the World Bank.
It is geared towards enhancing farmers’ productivity, especially during the dry season, by mitigating the effects of climate change, through building resilience during the harsh climatic conditions. In all, 1500 tomato farmers are being supported through the FSRP-Norwegian Tomato programme with inputs, new technological know-how and market linkages to produce up to 10,000 metric tons of tomatoes within the first quarter of this year.
FSRP’s MARKET COORDINATION PROCESS
Similarly, before the dry cropping season, FSRP engaged the executives of the Ghana National Tomato Traders & Transporters Association (GNTTTA) in order to gain critical insights into market preferences in terms of tomato varieties, packaging, transportation and sales, among other critical factors. Further to that, FSRP facilitated engagements between farmers and a cross-section of the traders.
Following these pre-season engagements, FSRP distributed critical inputs to farmers at selected tomato farming locations around the country, including two key varieties of climate-resilient tomato seeds and special blended fertilizers with climate-smart micronutrients needed for tomato production - to withstand the harsh climatic conditions thus boosting flowering and fruit production at the peak of dry and harsh conditions.
Enhanced tomato production protocols were developed and FSRP, the Ministry of Food & Agriculture - along with the Department of Agriculture, facilitated training-of-trainers programmes for Agricultural Extension Agents on climate-smart agricultural practices for strict adherence by their farmers. These were followed by on-field engagements with farmers and farm monitoring exercises, to ascertain hands-on adherence to the FSRP protocols and practices for tomato production during the dry season.
As the fruits approached maturity, FSRP mobilized direct market access for the farmers, by facilitating the farmgate visits and engagements between the traders and the farmers.
TRADERS’ ADVICE TO GH TOMATO FARMERS
During the MOFA/FSRP-mediated engagements between the Ghana National Tomato Traders & Transporters Association (GNTTTA) and the farmers, the market executives applauded the farmers and re-emphasized the need for them to adhere strictly to the protocols and Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) as directed by FSRP and their Agric Extension Agents (AEAs). Notably, to guarantee the freshness of the produce, the farmers were advised not to harvest the tomatoes until a buyer has arrived, seen and expressed willingness to buy, and both parties have negotiated and agreed on a price. Also, they should pluck every tomato with the end stalk on the fruit to extend its shelf life. The marketers also impressed upon the farmers to totally avoid recycling seeds from one harvest into the next production cycle, as it weakens the strength of the crop and produce. Above all, the Market Queens advised the Ghanaian farmers to improve upon their customer relations practices and develop strong, lasting camaraderie with their buyers.
WHY BURKINA?
According to the tomato traders, their buyers did not patronize locally-produced tomatoes because they were generally not attractive, were soft to the touch and had very short shelf lives – a situation which leads to high losses, thereby giving them no choice than to travel to Burkina Faso to purchase preferred varieties for sale in GH markets. They therefore hailed the tomatoes produced under the FSRP-Norwegian initiative and committed to marketing the produce if farmers continue to produce the types they are witnessing under the FSRP-Norwegian drive.
PERILOUS JOURNEYS
The traders decried the perils involved with crossing the border to purchase tomatoes from Burkina Faso – notably, armed robbery, harassment and intimidation at barriers, swindling by local translators, bureaucratic paperwork, high costs of duty charges by customs authorities of both Ghana and Burkina Faso, transportation hazards, nail-biting encounters with terrorists including rape, among other life-threatening risks.
Buying from Ghanaian farms, according to them, would therefore be less stressful, safer, less expensive and above all grow Ghana’s economy - as long as the variety and quality meet market demands.
The FSRP-coordinated farm tours went to Aniisi, Kpalugu and Bansi (in the Binduri District); Teshie and Goog-Valley (of the Bawku West District); Ganbiugo (Bolga East District); Bandema (Builsa North District); Wuru (Navarongo Municipal); Vea (Bongo District); Pusinamongo and Wenkongo (in the Talensi District) in the Upper East Region.
FSRP Ghana is focusing primarily on the intensified production, marketing and consumption of Rice, Maize, Broiler Poultry, Tomatoes and Soyabeans.
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