The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has broken ground for the construction of a tomato processing plant at Agogo, the district capital of Asante Akyem North in the Ashanti Region.

The project forms part of the government’s agenda to add value to agricultural production and boost local agribusiness under the Feed Ghana Programme.

As part of his working visit, the Minister also presented 2,000 bags of fertilisers, improved tomato seeds, onion seeds, and watermelon seeds to farmers in the district.

This marks the second time he has supplied agricultural inputs to farmers in Asante Akyem North.

According to him, the district is among the selected areas benefiting from government support for improved seed distribution under a pilot scheme this year.

Mr Opoku further inaugurated a mechanised borehole for plantain traders at the Agogo Plantain Market to ease access to water for their activities.

In addition, he presented ₵50,000 in cash to the District Assembly to support the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) aimed at enhancing the local road network to facilitate the transportation of farm produce to major markets.

The Minister’s visit began with a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Asante Akyem Agogo, Nana Sarpong Akuoko, after which he proceeded to the project site.

He was accompanied by the Independent Member of Parliament, Mr. Ohene Kwame Frimpong, and the Municipal Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Amoakoaa. 

The initiatives, he explained, align with the government’s policy to increase food production, improve market access, and promote value addition through agro-processing.

Beneficiary farmers expressed their gratitude to the Minister and the government, noting that the support would significantly boost their productivity and livelihoods.