Production Constraints and Measures to Enhance the Competitiveness of the Tomato Industry in Wenchi Municipal District of Ghana

Abstract

Aims: To find ways of making the tomato industry in Wenchi competitive in the face of myriad constraints confronting production. Study Design:  Cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: Wenchi Municipal District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana in the 2010 cropping season. Methodology: Fifty (50) randomly selected tomato farmers took part in the study and were interviewed using a semi-structural questionnaire. Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance was used to rank the constraints to tomato production. The Porter’s Diamond of National Advantage was used to assess the competitive position of the tomato industry in the area as well as the strategies needed to improve competitiveness. Results: The study found that small scale tomato producers in the district face a myriad of production constraints which limit their ability to increase production. The constraints include lack of capital, high cost of inputs and low produce price. The tomato industry in the area can however, become competitive and enhance economic growth. Conclusion: The tomato industry in the study area has the capacity to become competitive and enhance economic growth through the creation of agribusiness clusters. For this to happen, there is the need for prudent government policies which create incentive and an enabling environment for agribusinesses to flourish