Gov’t Buys Tomatoes, Onions from Asante Akim North Farmers to Avert Post-Harvest Losses

By Joylinda Laryea / 16 September 2025

The government has intervened to purchase 1,000 boxes of tomatoes and 2,000 bags of onions from farmers in the Asante Akim North District of the Ashanti Region, following concerns over a looming post-harvest crisis due to a lack of buyers.

The produce, cultivated under the Feed Ghana Programme, faced the threat of going to waste despite a bumper harvest. According to Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, the intervention was in direct response to an appeal by the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Frimpong Kwame Ohene Asante.

“In response to the MP’s appeal, His Excellency directed that senior high schools in the Asante Akim North area procure all the tomatoes and onions produced, ensuring the farmers receive fair value for their crops while feeding students,” Dr. Otokunor said at a press briefing.

He confirmed that the entire consignment of tomatoes had already been taken up, securing immediate relief for the affected farmers and preserving their incomes.

The press event also served as the launch of a new digital registration portal for farmers interested in the government’s Three Million Coconut Seedlings Initiative,a long-term crop diversification strategy.

Dr. Otokunor encouraged prospective beneficiaries to secure land ahead of registration and highlighted the simplicity of the process: “With a mobile phone, tablet, or computer, farmers can complete registration in minutes using basic details such as name, contact, farm location, and acreage. Beneficiaries must have prepared their land before receiving seedlings to ensure timely planting and maximum success.”

The dual move  addressing short-term market bottlenecks while promoting long-term agricultural resilience reflects the government's broader commitment to strengthening agribusiness and enhancing farmer livelihoods across the country.