Ghana's Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has embarked on a nationwide engagement with farmers to promote dry-season farming and strengthen the country's food supply. Over the past three days, Dumelo has travelled from the Oti Region through the Northern Region and into the Ahafo Region, near Ghana's border with Côte d'Ivoire. His mission is to support farmers in venturing into dry-season farming, with a focus on tomatoes and other vegetables.
The initiative aims to address Ghana's seasonal food shortages by promoting year-round cultivation. Traditionally, tomato production in Ghana has been heavily dependent on rainfall, resulting in shortages during the dry season. Dumelo's campaign seeks to change this by providing farmers with the necessary support, including solar-powered boreholes and irrigation inputs, to enable them to produce food throughout the year.
Dumelo has previously announced plans for large-scale dry-season tomato farming from December 2026 to June 2027. His latest field engagements highlight the growing focus on irrigation and year-round cultivation. According to reports, Ghanaian agriculture programmes have recorded increased yields from supported dry-season tomato farmers through improved irrigation, training, and farming practices.
For Dumelo, who has built a public profile both as an actor and an advocate for agriculture, the goal is to move beyond seasonal farming and create a system where farmers can continue producing even when the rains are over. He believes that with the right support, Ghana can produce food all year round. Dumelo's campaign has so far covered the Oti, Northern, and Ahafo regions.
The campaign is part of a broader effort to increase local tomato production and reduce seasonal shortages in Ghana. The country continues to explore ways to boost its food supply, and Dumelo's initiative has been welcomed by farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector. By promoting dry-season farming, the government aims to ensure a reliable supply of food items, especially tomatoes and other vegetables.
Dumelo's advocacy for agriculture has earned him recognition, and his efforts have contributed to increased awareness about the importance of dry-season farming. His work has also highlighted the need for innovative solutions to address Ghana's food security challenges. As the campaign continues, it is expected to have a positive impact on the country's food supply and farmers' livelihoods.
The success of Dumelo's campaign will depend on the level of support provided to farmers, including access to irrigation inputs, training, and markets. If successful, the initiative could serve as a model for other countries in the region facing similar food security challenges. Key to the campaign's success is the collaboration between the government, farmers, and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Key points
- John Dumelo has launched a nationwide campaign to promote dry-season farming in Ghana.
- The initiative aims to boost the country's year-round food supply by supporting farmers in producing tomatoes and other vegetables during the dry season.
- The campaign has covered several regions, including Oti, Northern, and Ahafo, and plans are underway for large-scale dry-season tomato farming from December 2026 to June 2027.
