READY MARKET FOR TOMATO IN UE
READY MARKET FOR TOMATO IN UE 06/01/10
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
I S D – BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East Regional Minister, Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo has assured tomato farmers in the region of a ready market for their produce this year adding that the necessary measures have already been put in place to ensure that there is no tomato glut this year.
The regional minister gave the assurance in an interaction with tomato farmers at Pwalugu in the Talensi-Nabdam district after touring some irrigated tomato fields near the White Volta. He said the Ministry of Trade and Industry has for instance, given 20 million Ghana Cedis to the Northern Star Tomato factory at Pwalugu to assist in tomato processing.
Honourble Woyongo called on the farmers to continue to work hard since government has put in place a number of steps to help farmers derive maximum benefit from their farming ventures. He mentioned the subsidy on fertilizer and supply of farm tractors to farmers at reduced prices as some of the steps.
He said he has held discussions with various associations of tomato buyers and agreements have been reached to stop tomato buyers from bypassing tomato produced in the region and crossing over to purchase the same produce in Burkina Faso. There are regulations that will be applied at the Paga border to enforce the agreement reached regarding tomato trade which tends to benefit Upper East farmers.
The regional minister advised farmers using the White Volta’s water to desist from farming on the banks of the river since the loose soil resulting from their activities will be washed down into the Volta choking it. He also urged the regional directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture [MOFA] to acquire land banks which should be readily released to investors in the agric sector.
The Chairman of the Pwalugu Tomato Farmers and Award Winners Association, Mr. Samuel Abora appealed to the regional minister to help the association to repay a 56000 Ghana Cedi loan that the association took from the Agricultural Development Bank [ADB] two years ago.
Mr. Abora disclosed that the loan was shared among its 46 members, a few of whom have managed to repay only two-thirds of the loan adding that the ADB is now threatening court action against them.
Mr. Woyongo responded that his office will meet with officials of the ADB with the farmers in attendance to resolve the matter amicably.
The Upper East regional director of MOFA, Alhaji Abdul-Razaque Ziblim Salifu who conducted the regional minister round the Pwalugu irrigation site noted that more water pumping machines are needed if farmers are to increase their acreage.
He disclosed that between 3000 and 4000 acres of arable land is being used by the farmers to cultivate tomato, okra, pepper and other vegetables.
The regional minister was earlier taken round the MOFA seed warehouse and seed laboratory in Bolgatanga where all manner of seeds are treated and dressed for cropping.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
I S D – BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East Regional Minister, Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo has assured tomato farmers in the region of a ready market for their produce this year adding that the necessary measures have already been put in place to ensure that there is no tomato glut this year.
The regional minister gave the assurance in an interaction with tomato farmers at Pwalugu in the Talensi-Nabdam district after touring some irrigated tomato fields near the White Volta. He said the Ministry of Trade and Industry has for instance, given 20 million Ghana Cedis to the Northern Star Tomato factory at Pwalugu to assist in tomato processing.
Honourble Woyongo called on the farmers to continue to work hard since government has put in place a number of steps to help farmers derive maximum benefit from their farming ventures. He mentioned the subsidy on fertilizer and supply of farm tractors to farmers at reduced prices as some of the steps.
He said he has held discussions with various associations of tomato buyers and agreements have been reached to stop tomato buyers from bypassing tomato produced in the region and crossing over to purchase the same produce in Burkina Faso. There are regulations that will be applied at the Paga border to enforce the agreement reached regarding tomato trade which tends to benefit Upper East farmers.
The regional minister advised farmers using the White Volta’s water to desist from farming on the banks of the river since the loose soil resulting from their activities will be washed down into the Volta choking it. He also urged the regional directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture [MOFA] to acquire land banks which should be readily released to investors in the agric sector.
The Chairman of the Pwalugu Tomato Farmers and Award Winners Association, Mr. Samuel Abora appealed to the regional minister to help the association to repay a 56000 Ghana Cedi loan that the association took from the Agricultural Development Bank [ADB] two years ago.
Mr. Abora disclosed that the loan was shared among its 46 members, a few of whom have managed to repay only two-thirds of the loan adding that the ADB is now threatening court action against them.
Mr. Woyongo responded that his office will meet with officials of the ADB with the farmers in attendance to resolve the matter amicably.
The Upper East regional director of MOFA, Alhaji Abdul-Razaque Ziblim Salifu who conducted the regional minister round the Pwalugu irrigation site noted that more water pumping machines are needed if farmers are to increase their acreage.
He disclosed that between 3000 and 4000 acres of arable land is being used by the farmers to cultivate tomato, okra, pepper and other vegetables.
The regional minister was earlier taken round the MOFA seed warehouse and seed laboratory in Bolgatanga where all manner of seeds are treated and dressed for cropping.
Comments