Agogo: Gov’t buys tomatoes and Onions to support Feed Ghana Programme
Farmers in the Asante Akim North District of the Ashanti Region have received a lifeline after the government moved in to purchase 1,000 boxes of tomatoes and 2,000 bags of onions cultivated by farmers d under the Feed Ghana Programme.
The intervention comes after fears that the bumper harvest would go waste due to a lack of ready buyers.
Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Kwame Ohene-Asante Frimpong, revealed that smallholder farmers who embraced the government’s food security initiative expanded tomato and onion cultivation this season but were struggling to sell.
“Without this urgent support, many of our farmers would have seen their sweat go to waste,” the MP said. “We appealed to the Presidency, and thankfully, the directive has saved both livelihoods and produce.”
According to Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, President Akufo-Addo instructed senior high schools in the district to purchase the produce for student meals.
“This is a win-win solution,” Dr. Otokunor explained at a press briefing. “Farmers are assured of fair market prices for their tomatoes and onions, and schools are getting fresh, healthy food for students.”
Dr. Otokunor confirmed that all 1,000 boxes of tomatoes had already been purchased, with the onions also being absorbed into the school feeding system.
The event also doubled as the launch of a digital registration portal for the government’s new Three Million Coconut Seedlings Project, designed to encourage long-term crop diversification.
“With just a mobile phone or computer, farmers can register by entering their name, contact details, farm location, and acreage,” Dr. Otokunor said. “But we insist that land must be prepared before seedlings are distributed, so that we do not waste resources.”
He stressed that the government’s latest moves prove its determination to protect farmers in times of difficulty while preparing them for sustainable agribusiness opportunities.
“Our approach is both immediate and forward-looking,” Dr. Otokunor added. “We are making sure no farmer is left behind.”
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/John Antwi Boasiako
