The President of the Vea Irrigation Farmers Association, Seidu Ayorimatia, is calling on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to take urgent action to address a growing nematode infestation affecting tomato farms in the Upper East Region.
He warned that the infestation poses a serious threat to farmers’ livelihoods and agricultural productivity within the Vea Irrigation Scheme, where tomato farming remains a key source of income and food security for many smallholder farmers.
According to Mr. Ayorimatia, the recent surge in nematode infestation has caused widespread damage to tomato crops, leading to significant losses and raising concerns about the sustainability of local production.
“This infestation poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of farmers and the overall agricultural productivity of the region,” he said.
He explained that the pest attacks tomato plants aggressively, resulting in reduced yields, poor-quality produce, and increased production costs as farmers struggle to manage the outbreak.
“The pest’s aggressive attack on the tomato plants has resulted in reduced yields, lower-quality produce, and increased costs for farmers who are struggling to manage the outbreak,” he added.
Mr. Ayorimatia stressed the need for targeted interventions, including effective pest control measures, farmer education, and the provision of essential inputs such as pesticides and resistant tomato varieties.
He also underscored the importance of rehabilitating and maintaining irrigation infrastructure to support crop health and improve resilience against pest outbreaks.
The appeal comes at a time when the Upper East Region is seeking to boost local tomato production and reduce dependence on imports. Farmers say addressing the infestation is critical not only to protecting incomes but also to strengthening food security and sustaining the tomato value chain.
Mr. Ayorimatia emphasised that tackling the challenge will require coordinated efforts between government agencies, agricultural experts, and farmers to develop sustainable and long-term solutions.
“Immediate action and sustained support are essential to protect the tomato value chain and ensure the prosperity of farmers in the Vea irrigation area,” he said.
He warned that without prompt intervention, the infestation could continue to undermine production and deepen losses for farmers across the region.
A1 Radio |101.1 MHz | Joseph Napoleon Anaaya | Bolgatanga
