Anyinasu (B/A), Dec. 31, GNA - Tomato farmers in five communities in the Dormaa District are benefiting from a modern irrigation technology to enable them to meet consumer demands throughout the year. The intervention, which will also seek ready market for the produce is a collaboration between the Trade and Investment for Competitive Export Economy, a branch of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ghana National Tomato Traders Association. The beneficiary communities are Bebianeha, Gonokrom, Yawbofokrom, Duasidan and Anyinasu.

A demonstration was held at Anyinasu to expose the tomato farmers to the Family Drip Irrigation System, a cost effective irrigation that employs the use of a generator to transport water from dugouts through perforated water hose onto the fields.

Mr Aaron Attafa Ampofo, food crop specialist, noted that Ghana lost between 300 and 400 million cedis each dry season to tomato farmers from Burkina Faso as their Ghanaian counterparts usually went out of production during the period.

He explained that the local farmers' plight was usually attributed to the lack of efficient irrigation methods and start-up capital.

Mr Ampofo said the two organizations had decided to adopt the farmers, supervise their activities and propel them into ready markets so that more of their colleagues would be enticed into the industry. The food specialist said apart from the provision of a container for water storage on the farm and land preparation, all other inputs into the technology and the market search would be borne by the two organizations.

He appealed to the farmers to support the project and co-operate with the tomato 'queens' to make the industry viable and self-sustaining.

Nii Yemoh, Secretary of the Tomato Traders Association, gave an assurance that the body was ready to promote workable relations between the tomato farmers and operatives of the market to pave the way for a compact business activity.

Mr Edward Badu, Dormaa District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, lauded the project and commended the two organizations for their choice to support the tomato industry. He noted that agricultural businesses in the District could grow if government and other well-meaning agencies provided them with the necessary assistance. Mr Badu charged the farmers to comply with the basic components of the new irrigation technology and make the maximum profit out of their efforts. 31 Dec. 07