Ghana has strengthened its agricultural cooperation with Spain through a new investment-driven partnership aimed at expanding tomato production and processing, as the country works to reduce heavy reliance on imports and build a stronger agro-industrial base.

The agreement, discussed in Barcelona, focuses on improving value addition in agriculture, supporting smallholder farmers, and developing large-scale commercial production systems that can supply both local processors and export markets.

At the centre of the initiative is a major land allocation in Ghana’s Afram Plains, where agro-industrial firm GB Foods has secured about 6,000 hectares for tomato cultivation. The project is expected to become a key production hub, supported by irrigation systems, mechanised farming, and modern agricultural techniques designed to improve yields and reduce post-harvest losses.

Ghana’s Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang said the partnership reflects government efforts to strengthen the full agricultural value chain, from production to processing. She emphasised that inclusive growth—particularly the involvement of smallholder farmers—remains central to the country’s agricultural strategy. According to her, deeper collaboration with private sector partners will help stabilise supply, create rural jobs, and improve livelihoods.

GB Foods’ corporate affairs director for Africa, Teddy Ngu, highlighted that supply challenges and regional trade disruptions have pushed the company to scale local production capacity. He noted that Ghana’s current tomato yields remain significantly below global benchmarks, but pointed to successful productivity improvements in Nigeria as evidence that similar gains are achievable in Ghana with the right technology and investment.

The partnership is designed to address one of Ghana’s long-standing agricultural challenges: the gap between domestic tomato production and rising national demand. As a result, the country continues to rely heavily on imports to supply households and food processors.

By introducing improved irrigation, advanced farming techniques, and technology-driven cultivation methods, the Afram Plains project aims to significantly increase yields while strengthening food security and reducing import dependence.

Beyond agriculture, the agreement signals growing European interest in West Africa’s agribusiness sector, particularly in areas such as value chain development, industrial farming, and supply chain stability. Analysts say such partnerships are becoming increasingly important as African governments push for agricultural industrialisation and long-term food system resilience.

The collaboration is also expected to deepen economic ties between Ghana and Spain, opening doors for wider investment, knowledge transfer, and industrial cooperation across multiple sectors.