1D1F: Akufo-Addo opens $16m tomato processing factory in Domfete

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 10th August 2021, opened the $16 million Weddi Africa Tomato Processing Factory, a company operating under the 1-District-1-Factory initiative, at Domfete, in the Berekum West District of the Bono Region.

Government, through Ghana Exim Bank and ADB Bank Ghana, facilitated the acquisition of the loan facility to support the establishment and operations of the factory owned by Weddi Africa Limited, a wholly owned Ghanaian company.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the establishment of the factory is an example of the critical role the private sector can play in Ghana’s industrial transformation, adding that the setting up of this manufacturing facility, outside the traditional areas of Accra, Tema and Takoradi, underscores the commitment of Government to decentralize industrial development, and, thereby, stimulate economic activity in the rural areas.

He explained that Domfete was chosen for the siting of the factory because the town happens to be one of the major catchment areas for the cultivation of fresh tomatoes, and will help in reducing rural-urban migration.

The factory will process some 40,000 metric tonnes of fresh tomatoes per annum, and also has a 500 metric ton cold room facility to store fresh tomato fruits. In addition, a model farm and research centre designed to conduct seed trials and train farmers on best farm practices, as well as an agric-input Shop to supply inputs to the farmers at affordable prices, have been established by the company.

This, the company explains, will boost the profitability of the factory and improve income levels for the farmers engaged by the company.

Additionally, a 2,400-acre farmland as nucleus farm has been set up by Weddi Africa, with the company also spearheading the establishment of a Tomato Outgrower Farmers Association in Tano North and Berekum West districts, with 2,000 registered farmers from Ahafo and Bono regions.

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