TOMATOES VALUE CHAIN AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN THE OFFINSO NORTH DISTRICT IN GHANA

Abstract

This study was aimed at analyzing the contribution of tomato value chain to poverty reduction in the Offinso North district with specific objectives of examining the effect of socio-cultural practices on tomato value chain and to determine government policies on tomatoes value chain in an attempt to help reduce poverty in the district. The study used a cross sectional survey design since it was meant to test rather than generate theory. It adopted a quantitative approach which focused on describing and drawing inferences from the findings on tomato value chain and poverty reduction. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were also used to get a total of 175 respondents (this was made up of 80 tomato producers, 50 tomato traders, 40 consumers as well as 5 workers from MoFA). Data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and checklists. The results of the study revealed that tomato value chain has contributed to the increase in incomes of both tomato producers and traders. On the side of non-income poverty, there was an increase in quantity of tomato production, increase in food security as well as improvement in accessibility and affordability to health and education services. To make this sustainable, it is recommended for government to give special attention to the highly perishable nature of tomato and provide storage facilities in the district to store the excess tomatoes during bumper harvest. There was also the need for the necessary enabling environment to be created through the provision of agro-chemicals and at affordable prices too. This thesis comes to the conclusion that tomato value chain has a significant role to play in ensuring a reduction in poverty among both farmers and traders in the Offinso North district. This therefore calls for more attention and proper measures to be put in place to help both farmers and traders reduce poverty in the district through tomato value chain.