An 80-million-cedi tomato-processing factory established by the Adventist Relief and Development Agency (ADRA) was commissioned at Tuobodom in the Techiman district on Thursday. ($1 = 7,000 cedis).

The factory which can process 15 crates of tomatoes a day would serve as a demonstration plant to train farmers and entrepreneurs who are interested in tomato processing.

Mr. George Baiden, Director of ADRA, Ghana, said the project, a joint venture between Sustain, an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Natural Resource Institute of the United Kingdom (UK), is to help process tomatoes that are allowed to go waste in the area.

Mr. Vincent Djarbeng, ADRA Agro-forestry officer, said the objective of ADRA is to promote agricultural activities in the country through input credit facilities to farmers to enhance their business.

Nana Opoku Abankwa II, Krontihene of the Techiman traditional area who was the special guest of honour, appealed to the farmers to support ADRA and patronize the factory so as to prevent the project from becoming a white elephant.

Mr. Adam Hafiz, Techiman District Deputy Co-ordinating Director who chaired the function, asked the people to patronize tomafresh, a finished product of the factory instead of craving for imported tomato paste.