High Commission of India

Accra, Ghana

In the second phase of the ongoing Tomato Pilot Research project, being implemented by the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), New Delhi and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana, a small ceremony was held for transplantation of the saplings from the greenhouse to the open fields and the polyhouse on 5th November 2016.

2. Hon. (Mrs. ) Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, Member of Parliament for Ada Constituency did the honors of transplanting the first sapling from the greenhouse to the open field.  Shri Pradeep Gupta, First Secretary attended event from the High Commission.  A Director from CSIR and the District Councillor were also present.The event attracted a large gathering from the local community in Ada.

3. A total of 14 varieties of tomato plants would be tested in the present phase of research at Ada, with about 25000 transplantations covering 7 open field cultivation and 7 varieties under controlled conditions in a polyhouse.  The research project funded by a US $ 2 million government of India grant is expected to determine high yielding varieties in three different climatic zones in Ghana.  The first phase is nearing completion in Kumasi and the third phase would soon commence in Navrango.  Apart from providing Ghana with high yielding, pest resistant varieties of Tomato the project would also exhibit the benefits of greenhouse farming to increase productivity of vegetables and fruits that would have long-term benefits to farmers in Ghana.  The pilot research project could lead to improved tomato productivity in Ghana thereby cutting costs on imports and also providing downward linkages to the food processing industry.