Maphlix Trust Ghana, operators of Maphlix Farms located at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region, is set to supply 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes to the Ghanaian market as part of efforts to strengthen local production and enhance food security.
This comes at a very opportune time to cushion the country following the ban on tomato exportation imposed by Burkina Faso.
The good news was revealed when the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, toured the facility to assess ongoing operations and interact with management and technical staff.
The visit forms part of the Ministry’s broader engagement with key private sector players to boost agricultural productivity and reduce the country’s reliance on imported food commodities.
During the tour, the Minister inspected the farm’s irrigation systems, nursery units, and open-field cultivation areas.
He expressed satisfaction with the effective utilization of the facility’s infrastructure and commended the management for their commitment to modern, technology-driven agriculture.
He particularly highlighted the farm’s investment in the production of high-quality tomato seeds, describing it as a critical intervention to improve yields and address long-standing challenges in the tomato value chain.
“The brief we have received from those managing the center, indicates that, by the end of the year, they are able to produce 3000 tonnes and again the open field activities they are engaged in would increase the output that they envisage from this site. So looking at what they are doing, especially the open field activities we think that things are underway to ensure sufficient production of tomatoes to feed the Ghanaian people,” the Minister stated.
Harvesting activities have already commenced at Maphlix Farms, with produce being harvested at three-day intervals.
This consistent harvesting cycle is expected to ensure a steady supply of fresh tomatoes to the Ghanaian market, to curtail hikes in prices while meeting growing consumer demands.
He further noted that the expansion of both greenhouse and open-field production systems at Maphlix Farms presents a strong model for year-round tomato cultivation, which is essential in stabilizing supply and prices across seasons.
Addressing concerns raised by tomato traders regarding the quality and shelf-life of locally produced tomatoes, the Minister indicated that the Ministry is actively collaborating with research institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop improved, climate-resilient seed varieties suited to Ghana’s agro-ecological conditions.
These efforts are expected to enhance the quality, durability, and market competitiveness of Ghanaian tomatoes.
The Minister also used the opportunity to reassure the public that there will be no shortage of tomatoes in the country.
He encouraged consumers and traders to remain calm and desist from panic buying, emphasizing that ongoing interventions by government and private sector actors are yielding positive results.
The management of Maphlix Farms reiterated their commitment to scaling up production and investing in innovative farming practices to meet growing domestic demand.
They noted that beyond primary production, the company is exploring opportunities in processing and value addition to minimize post-harvest losses and create additional income streams.
Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited is a key player in Ghana’s food production and processing industry.
The company is engaged in the cultivation and sale of a wide range of crops, including vegetables, grains, and root and tuber crops.
In addition to producing exporting major commodities such as yam, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), fresh vegetables, and fruits, the company also adds value to root and tuber crops including cassava, yam, and potatoes, contributing significantly to job creation and the growth of the agricultural sector.
