The government has purchased 1,000 boxes of tomatoes and 2,000 bags of onions from farmers in the Asante Akim North District of the Ashanti Region, in a move to support the Feed Ghana Programme and cushion farmers from post-harvest losses.
The intervention follows reports that despite a bumper harvest, many smallholder farmers were struggling to find buyers for their perishable produce, risking significant financial losses.
According to the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Frimpong Kwame Ohene Asante, the programme had encouraged an expansion in tomato and onion cultivation, but marketing challenges persisted.
“In response to the MP’s appeal, His Excellency directed that senior high schools in the district purchase all tomatoes and onions produced, ensuring farmers receive fair prices while providing nutritious meals for students,”
explained Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness.
Dr. Otokunor confirmed that all tomatoes have already been purchased, and plans are underway to distribute the onions as well. He made the announcement during a press briefing, which also served to launch a national registration portal for farmers under the government’s Three Million Coconut Seedlings Initiative.
Coconut Initiative Goes Digital
Dr. Otokunor encouraged interested farmers to secure land before applying for coconut seedlings and highlighted the simplicity of the registration process.
“Using a phone, tablet, or computer, farmers can register in minutes with basic details such as name, contact information, farm location, and acreage. However, land must be prepared before seedlings are delivered,”
he emphasized.
Supporting Farmers, Securing Food
This dual intervention — providing an immediate market for perishable crops and promoting long-term crop diversification — reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen agribusiness, improve farmer incomes, and ensure food security under the Planting for Food and Jobs framework.
