Northern Star Tomato Factory closed down

The Northern Star Tomato Factory in the Upper East Region, which is expected to purchase tomatoes from local farmers for processing is defunct due to technical reasons.

The situation had made it possible for market queens to purchase the highly perishable crop at low prices from farmers.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency during a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Tomato Producers Association of Nyariga, Mr Kwabena Darkwa, the Farm Operations Manager of the company said three vacuum pumps had broken down, compelling the factory to stall operations.

He said the accessories have been sent to Tema for repairs and the factory would commence work soon.

The forum, which was sponsored by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC), was dominated by farmers, who expressed dismay about the close down of the factory, which they say had made them vulnerable to the market queens.

The farmers also expressed concern about the lack of improved variety of tomato seeds which had affected production and appealed to the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ensure that the necessary agencies are mandated to produce standard seed for them in the next farming season.

Mr Richard Ananga, Service Provider of BUSAC in charge of the region, said one of the major aims of the stakeholders meeting was to advocate the change of the negative policies that affect the operations of the farmers.

Source: GNA