Tomatoes and greed - the exodus of Ghana's farmers | DW Documentary
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 січ 2020
- What do tomatoes have to do with mass migration? Tomatoes are a poker chip in global trade policies. Subsidized products from the EU, China and elsewhere are sold at dumping prices, destroying markets and livelihoods in Africa in the process.
Edward still harvests tomatoes. But he is no longer on his own fields in Ghana. He now works on plantations in southern Italy under precarious conditions. The tomatoes he harvests are processed, canned and shipped abroad - including to Ghana, where they compete with local products. The flood of cheap imports from China, the US and the EU has driven Ghana’s tomato industry to ruin. Desperate farmers find themselves having to seek work elsewhere, including in Europe. For many, the only route available is a dangerous journey through the desert and across the Mediterranean. Ghana is a nation at peace, a democracy with free elections and economic growth. Nonetheless, tomato farmer Benedicta is only able to make ends meet because her husband regularly sends her money from his earnings in Italy.
A former tomato factory in Pwalugu, Ghana, illustrates the predicament. This factory once helped secure the livelihood of tomato farmers across the region. Today it lies empty, guarded by Vincent, a former employee who hopes to keep it from falling into ruin. In the surrounding region, the market for tomatoes has collapsed and most farmers are no longer growing what could easily be Ghana’s ‘red gold’. An agricultural advisor is trying to help local tomato farmers, but has little by way of hope to offer. Conditions like this are what drive local farmers to cut their losses and head for Europe. Once in Italy, migrants from Ghana and other African countries are forced to live in desperate conditions near the plantations. They work as day laborers for extremely low wages, helping to grow the very tomatoes that are costing people back home their work and livelihoods. These days, canned tomatoes from China, Italy and Spain are available for purchase on the market of Accra. Some may call this free trade. But economist Kwabena Otoo says free trade should open doors; not destroy people’s lives.
Every two seconds, a person is forced to flee their home. Today, more than 70 million people have been displaced worldwide. The DW documentary series ‘Displaced’ sheds light on the causes of this crisis and traces how wealthy industrialized countries are contributing to the exodus from the Global South.
Drought and floods - the climate exodus: • Drought and floods - t...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch high-class documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.
Subscribe to:
DW Documentary: / @dwdocumentary
DW Documental (Spanish): / dwdocumental
DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو: (Arabic): / dwdocarabia
For more visit:
www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Instagram:
/ dwdocumentary
Facebook:
/ dw.stories
DW netiquette policy: p.dw.com/p/MF1G
DW has a pick of editorial subjects unlike any other documentary Channel. No click bait, no hidden agenda. A rarity these days. Keep up the good work.
No hidden agenda? They aren't trying to slam global trade?
THIS
@@adztronomical Are they slamming Global Trade or reporting on its effects?
Adam MacDonald
3 days ago
No hidden agenda? They aren't trying to slam global trade?
@@edricdayne3571 They are slamming global trade! There is no need to mention global trade otherwise. Sad what is happening but it is just economics. There are better, cheaper tomatoes being produced elsewhere they need to find a new industry. This is also what they call poverty porn. Global trade has affected G20 countries more than any other. The U.K, The U.S and Australia were industrial powerhouses before global trade moved nearly all of the manufacturing to developing nations. Tomatoes in Ghana plays better than coathangers in Sheffield. lol. Everyone has an agenda even me, never believe otherwise.
@@adztronomical They are sharing facts and both sides of the story. It's not global trade if its forced down our throats and only one side benefits. As a student of International Relations, I long grew disillusioned with the way most of these agreements work. Let both sides be told - even if you don't like it.
I live in Ghana and it's not like our politicians are not aware, they are very aware yet they prefer not to do anything because they fear they could loose loans and grants from more developed countries and the IMF. We need patriotic and bold leaders.
you are so right... you need someone from INSIDE your country I come from Australia... we get a lot of food goods from china... we do not trust their food... If you could implement farming practices without chemicals ... the europeans and countries like us would go mad to buy them...Put the word organic in the name and you have it made... But actually DO it , because they test...
Very painful. Our generation needs to step up big time.
Maybe that person could be you - your people need you
The penny drops. Fucking hell, never thought of it that way.
you need bold leaders like Rwandan Prez Paul Kagami to do so.
African leaders don't wanna work their brains but rather stand with a begging bowl before IMF, western donors, China etc.
One year later Ghana now has a tomato procession plant. Not sure how many they will need but it’s a step in the right direction. Also Nigeria has finally made a tomato processing plant as well.
That's wonderful, especially since it's a staple product like rice, milk, sugar, chicken and goat, onion, palmnut and okra. I love Ghanaian food!
This info that i like
Happy to hear this.
That's a problem in most African countries. Raw resources and a lack of value added manufacturing. It doesn't have to be that way. It's what colonization strategy uses to steal labor and resources and it needs to stop.
Not if after the innovation is created and then neo colonization occurs met with little to no resistance by the innovators and stewards of the innovation?
As a Ghanaian journalist having watched this, I cried (no exaggeration here) and bemoaned how my country's politicians and their counterparts on the continent, at large, have bitterly failed us.
Those in power and even the opposition all think mainly about one thing; filling their pockets! They are unable to withstand foreign policies that, we all know, are sinking the continent.
What Ghana needs are politicians who are determined to achieve a nationalistic agenda rather than partisan and selfish interests.
Anyway, DW, this documentary is a top-notch piece of journalism. Overly beautiful and captivating. Grateful for telling our sorry story with a touch of glory.
It goes beyond government to each individual knowing how they contribute to such situations through buying habits. Especially those who can afford it. Government initiatives need to be supported by the public too. Education, policy (implemented and enforced) and government with vision and patriotism. Africa needs to develop pride in its own, a backbone and unite.
This happen in each and every poor country.
Only way out of this to implement quality educational system
Aniwaba, I am from Canada, I was wondering if the people there could process the tomatoes into sauces, diced and stewed tomatoes and juice. Getting more for their hard work. They could add peppers hot and sweet, basil rosemary to add value to the product. You have factories can they do this? Would it be possible?
@@islandgardener158 yes, please. There used to be factories that did all the processing of tomatoes 🍅🍅🍅 but successive governments helped collapse them.
Some new tomato factories have been built and commissioned, now, and we look forward to seeing them process our tomato. However, I don't think these factories have the capacity to process large volumes of the red gold/tomatoes.
Our Journalists should be doing such Documentaries for our progress
Paid almost nothing to work the whole Day and send part of your salary to your relatives. They Will buy cheaper tomatoes with this same money.... A circle of hell
Nangadef, Maam Diouf, i couldn't have said it better
@@PHlophe mangui fi wallah it's too sad. We must educate every single person in our continent. It is the only way to avoid this madness
The governments have the power to put simple import tariffs in place. It will make tomato cans more expensive in the short run for the population but with the correct subsidies to tomatoe farmers/factories the country should be able to create a stable and profitable tomato sector within a few years.
@@567BTHTY they already know it but they cannot act because the EU countries Will not give Aid anymore or buy natural resources
@@amadiouf1485 then don't accept aid use their own resources they only need aid because they are not producing their own stuff and are importing everything
Canned and processed tomatoes over fresh ones? No, thank you! I'll take locally grown, fresh tomatoes over that!
can you pay more? doubt it.
unfortunately, the locals think foreign goods are better than their own home grown goods...Its like that in Jamaica also...the locals want american GMO apples instead of home grown fresh JA apples.
That damn white lining in cans is poison Bisphenol A,wake up Africa.
And in America we want organic non-gmo fruit, which is usually imported
Especially since the canned ones are only 30 % actual tomatoes
Thank you DW for this eye opener of a documentary. It tells the real Ghanaian story, which our leaders even pay money to conceal, but rather resort to needless propaganda and sloganeering. I feel ashamed as a Ghanaian watching this, seeing how hard my fellow country men and women work on these farms and yet gain nothing for their hard work. Looking at the stats, I don't foresee this trend easing any sooner and it saddens my heart.
The impact of global trade policies on people's lives is deeply moving. From Ghana's struggling tomato farmers to migrants in Italy, this documentary unveils the human cost of subsidized products and dumping prices. It's a powerful reminder of the complex challenges faced by those forced to make perilous journeys. Thank you for shedding light on this crucial issue.
A crate of tomatoes in Tanzania goes up to $30 sometimes more. Maybe i should find a way to import from Ghana thus making it a win/win for everyone. Truly the grass is never Greener. In East Africa, Ghana is held as a beacon of African development, politics and policies. Often only great stories about Ghana come out and then a story like this comes along and leaves you gobsmacked. Thank you DW for such a great story but one that's painful to watch.
@Eyob Abay This was my thought all along. Take the African free trade and benefit from it. Tarrifs should be low for imports from Ghana vs Italy. Problem is the lack of infrastructure thus logistics being a nightmare. Or...? Import farmers from Ghana and have them share their skills in Tanzania which has a strong markert especially in the EAC bloc.
Ghana is still a great place. We have had peace and political stability for nearly 3 decades, but the agric sector produce is still struggling to move up the value chain.
Indeed very painful.... The struggles of a black man
very painful to watch indeed
@Wonder Boy I'm serious
I am South African, old and retired. I had been buying Italian canned tomatoes because of the price but also because I lived in Italy for 7 years and know that Italians care about food. However this video has changed my perspective. Unfortunately South African producers care only about profit and the shoppers health is not their problem. I eventually gave up canned tomatoes because many if not all producers coat the inside of the cans with a plastic that is not very healthy. Currently I get tomatoes from my garden.
@Ancient Rageedi I live in the country not very close to shops. I try to shop once a month so fresh produce is not always practical.
Also South African, our local canned tomatoes are horrible compared to the Italian ones and more expensive. Also only fresh salad tomatos at the shop here, no sauce tomatoes, so need to buy cans for a proper pasta sauce.
Be aware that claims that food is from Italy or any EU country is often fake. Instead its Chinese or American.
Way to go
samrawi tedros what are you on about? ... Chris is South African...
Just another reminder to be mindful where and how you buy.
The cheapest prices cost lives.
Absolutely!
Its poor people who buy the cheapest, its a privilege to decide where and how you buy. It easier to actually just grow your own tomatoes, they are literally the easiest items to grow!
Actually some of the most expensive goods also cost lives, expensive good can also be unethically sourced or put people out of business, one just needs to be mindful period no matter how much a product costs.
DW has educated me soooooooo much! Big up this documentary channel
If hard work paid off! women in Africa could have been billionaires by now....
owlie alim yeah no, hard work doesn’t work THAT well. Most of the people I know have worked hard their whole lives, I don’t know any billionaires or millionaires. You also have to be smart, if you work and work and work towards something thats great but it has to be worthwhile.
Big Difference between working hard for money and working hard to grow tomatoes
@@ThisIsSolution don't be thick! money doesn't grow on trees!
@@owliealim745 yes it does, there is money in lumber, fruit, ash, roots, leaves, and oxygen it makes, just depends how hard you want to work for that money.... hopefully you learned the lesson i was throwing at you. Enjoy the week.
@@ThisIsSolution In other words Ghana is more than capable of growing and marketing diverse crops for profitability!
It's sad and disappointing that we still import not only tomatoes but rice and poultry which are locally farmed and produced here in Ghana, this is the kind of country we have😕
Not only your country's fault when Europe is practising unfair comercial tactics. I hope this changes someday. Greetings from Portugal to Ghana! 🇵🇹 🇬🇭
@@ricardo_boutique what are the unfair practices that Europe is doing?
@@jamesguinan415 I learnt Europe has agricultural subsidies that help their farmers make more profit on their produce so they keep on producing more and growing more than they could without the subsidies
@@clementoseitano7568 Those subsidies are collected from European tax payers to ensure local produce can continue to be made. Otherwise, local markets would collapse to external sources. One such example is the South American beef imports. Local beef farmers in Ireland receive a subsidy so that they retain high quality beef, adhering to strict standards of quality, and remain competitive with the external source. I fail to see how that is their failing. How doesn't Ghana subsidies the tomato industry in there country based off of tax collection, if tariffing is not an option? Or even just provide tax credit or outright tax breaks for farmers? There is tons of options for remaining competitive. Almost every country on Earth compliments such measures.
@@jamesguinan415 That's a fair point. But getting access to other financial resources is actually very difficult over here too. Most of these farmers can only get loans from micro finance institutions and these companies can charge interests exceeding 100%(I've witnessed some myself). The government also does not have (seem) the capacity to support farmers with subsidies. Even subsidizing education and health has not been that easy.
I find DW very genuine which is hard to find these days. They speak and showcase the truth. Keep it up 🙏❤️.
Whoever did this documentary, thanks for not demeaning the people who have been forced to travel overseas to seek greener pastures. What mans’ greed is doing to humanity is despicable.
What a beautiful land☺️, it's my first time to watch African lives, but I know not all African experience this kind of life, same here in the Philippines. God Bless us all☺️
yule shine Just got back from Panglao nice beaches 😄
Search for wode maya and enjoy his videos.
Amen
I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Buhari's administration in banning the importation of some goods. We can't and should not keep impoverishing ourselves.
Yes.
so increase the price of food for locals?
@@MrBemnet1 or buy cheaper and keep getting poorer, I mean languishing in poverty?
@@Idrisativities Poor people get hurt when the government artificially increases food prices. instead they should help the farmers increase the productivity so that they can grow more tomatoes with less resources .
@@MrBemnet1 A small price to pay for salvation.
The price increase will be temporary and it does not affect all food commodities. Prices will drop as local production increases (more incentive to invest in local production). For example, rice farmers in Nigeria are doing really well now.
The effect of global free trade has profoundly disadvantaged the poor countries further. I hope and pray that the tomato industry in Ghana will be revived. 🙏
@Anne Ritchie shut up......
@Anne Ritchie that is home gardens, or very small farms. Others have them not staked. I know, it's not so good. This is why large scale farming can be bad. People need small farms and own thier own land for food.
Em.....ai..!!/¡//..
The problem isn’t free trade, it’s that Europeans subsidize their agriculture to an absurd degree. In a true free trade system without subsidies the Ghanaian tomatoes would be the cheapest, and would be exported to Europe.
julie, you didn't understand the video. Global free trade has helped the average Ghanian tremendously. The tomato industry got decimated tho, as imports have more flavors and fillers and addictive things in them that people want to buy.
If Ghanians didn't buy imports, the imports would stop.
These farmers remind me of the farmers of my own country Bangladesh. Bangladesh is also very fertile like Ghana. But, mismanagement, greed, and corruption are making the lives of farmers miserable every day.
Simply put! Ghana once had a thriving tomato farming industry, until E.U based companies bought out, then moved the industry to Europe, now the poor Ghanains have to go and work in appalling conditions abroad, where they're hated.
@Anne Ritchie There is policy and politics at play here. Its not that people don't want to do it. They literally showed a man at the end who was trying to do that? did you see to the end?
@@ghanalocal6713 no, she just jumped to a conclusion that fit the narrative in her imagination.
@@jazzip No, she literally interviewed someone trying to re-start a factory for tomato production. His name was Wil Aparloo Ofori. He was trying to boost a factory in Techiman, where I live. That factory is just beside the municipal assembly. guess what else, That man is real, I sent him a message on Facebook to ask him more questions about the factory in Techiman, where I live. Tuobodom is also very close to where I live, maybe 5 minutes away They are a tomato producing town and the problems outlined in the documentary are the same sentiments I have been hearing from farms for years. If you want to deny what's going on in the world of trade that is fine but you should add some actual details to your argument. What is her narrative? why is it only in her imagination (take some statements she made and prove them false)?
idiot.
Blame the country's politicians who sold it to the highest bidders
@@ghanalocal6713 yes I know I watched it. I was supporting what you replied to the other commenter.
First world country, like Europe, export their canned tomatoes to Ghana, as a result Ghana farmers forced to leave because they can't compete with imported tomatoes, then Ghana farmers migrate to Europe finding another job to feed themselves. European citizens angry, because those Ghana farmers create financial problem in their country and so they're not welcome. What a shitty live!
A country doesn't export "canned food products" a company does.
Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro =/= The nation state of Italy.
What a horrible false equivalency, steeped in dishonesty you made.
Ps. Europe is not a country.
@lili shyta Eastern Europe is far more prosper than Ghana! Eastern Europe have Euro Banks to back up their currencies and European market as well.
@@jamesguinan415 that's beside the point, most agro based industries in Europe are subsidised through aid from the EU, the EU countries take collective decisions, so what's the rap about EU not been a country, stop going round in circles we're all not stupid.
@@jamesguinan415 sorry, my mistake. Europe is a continent, not a country, I'm sure everyone knows about it. I just wanna paint a picture about miserable life of tomato farmers in Ghana.
@@adeshow4307 Where does the subsidies come from? Also, it's a commission that makes the decision on where it ought to go. Europe does not have an army, federalised police, or unified generic anything in regards to services. The only obscure notion you have of the "EU" being a country is because of subsidies. It is the collective benefits of an economic union. What you rebutted towards me is utter nonsense.
It's so nice travelling to different places via documentaries. Well done.Good job DW.❤
We need to change priorities , we need to understand that our interest is with the PRODUCER and not with the middleman.
It's very sad, this is a country where corn grows by the roadside, our land is very fertile, just pour seeds of some vegetables including tomatoes and you will come back to pluck new ones.
We love our homeland Ghana, God bless our homeland Ghana 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭😍😍😍❤️💖
People need their own gardens they could well live off the yield like the the. Rasta people have every kind of root and fruit bearing plants, keep chickens a goat small holdings enough to live and sell excess.
2 Chron 7:14. Psalms 34:15-22.
As usual, a very good documentry. DW documentries take us to places, nobody else can, or will. Thank you DW team.😃
Very good documentary giving a great inside look on what's really going on. Our leaders need to do better than this. Africa has natural and human resources we should develop it within the country to take care of our future and the upcoming generations.
Similar to how the sugar factories in Jamaica are divested to Chinese.
You didn't understand that it was fellow Ghanians buying imported tomatoes that caused this?
Thank you for educating us with important information that I don't see on the news. It is so sad that humans have to live in such conditions while trying to make a living. 😥
Thank you for this documentary DW, it's honest and not patronizing at all. It's interesting and informative.🤔🙌.
Noma sana!!
24:10 wrong. Patronizing swipe at china right there. Yeah china puts cheap filler into cans but italian mafia are really honest and care about ethics not money right??? Who is DW kidding?
@@rolandkamugisha5012 what does your comment have anything to do with her statement?
The best channel in the world. They visit the grassroots where the real issue is. I hope DW stays this way for long.
Farmers in India are also protesting against these big companies but Indian Modi govt is sold to companies. Farmers have no rights, no justice in India.
The story about the sea was so frightening so sad 😞
I am a retired Canadian and I am investing fully in Ghana agro business.. partnerships with villagers in a non profit maner to develop co.op farming that runs independent from our of Ghana connections free of dictator energy. This is not required anymore ❤
Tomatoes are usually in demand here in Kenya especially during our rainy seasons. Im getting an idea
Rita Gicheru we can work together
Me too
God bless you guys and I pray for your collective success. Let us know how it goes.
Tomato paste is the way to go.
Open trade borders between africa... Viva Africa... Travel btw europe and africa is actually more than intra-africa travels which is very sad.
This genuinely makes me Angry. There needs to be a policy change and this should be lead by all African governments.
Exactly.
Did you read the recent report on Angola the president daughter stripped the nation of oil diamonds telecoms and the biggest account auditors signed them off for 20 years
Tariffs work pretty well for the US. Ghana should probably try it too.
Immanuel Herman did you listen to the documentary they tried and it’s gone up to 10% and it’s still not working is it
@@sweetvuvuzela4634 Raise it to 25% but not higher than that. If that doesn't work then it is simply not possible to compete in agriculture industry. Should try another industry.
As a person of Ghanaian origin, though it is clear that tarrifs are an issue, fundamentally the Ghanaians in Ghana have to stop buying tinned tomatoes. That will be a step in the right direction thus enabling demand for home grown tomatoes, thus providing income for local farmers and workers. My personal assistance is to buy organic tomatoes only. I will urge my fellow Africans within the diaspora to do the same! This was a highly informative documentary!
First rational response I've seen to this video. Good job, sunshine.
I remember the phase said in Movie Blood Diamond.. That "God Left Africa "
I beg to God to come back. And Make Africa better place
Love from India
Seriously Africans are the hardest working people. We been having a lot recently immigrate to the Seattle area and many will work two full time jobs while going to school. They will get a job in less than a month upon arriving to the States, save up their money while supporting their immediate family in their home country. And most want to assimilate immediately and ask about building credit, what they need to do to buy a car, and a house here in the States. And many of them reach these goals in less than three years. I use to think that Asian immigrants were hard working but my goodness I was wrong. I really feel for the people here, they are being robbed. This vicious cycle is economic slavery. It makes me so upset because no one deserves this abuse.
May God bless you and your family...
Very true, our bad corrupt leaders and neocolonialism are the main reasons we have so many problems. A lot of people have entrepreneurial DNA but bad governance is such a hindrance.
The Thrifty Hobbit I wonder why African Americans are the opposite
@@philosophyofthestars African Americans are not the opposite.
@@divinebynature7056 oh
Ghana people must be proud how they turn desert to a greenery Ghana. Ghana is Nice country
which desert did ghana turn into greenery?
@@MegaAtOh lol I'm even surprised
Ghana is not desert my dear 😊
MegaAtoo 20 years back
You need to be checked into rehab.
Lemme see if I got this right: Italy puts African farmers out of business, and then they complain that the same farmers migrate there?
I don't see any logic in that statement. If the plants in ghana went out of business that is because they were not competitive.
@@evilspiritchild How small farmers will be able to compete against big businesses? Either Ghana should have placed economic protectionist policies or Western countries and China should not have 'invested' there by flooding the country with cheap goods and killing local businesses.
@@renzeusoya5828 Look, in the end it’s the choice of consumers what they buy and what they don’t.
@@evilspiritchild Not when a conglomerate has a monopoly over their country, they don't.
Also, people do things what they need to do even if they don't want it. That would meet the definition of coercion.
And after they migrate they complained about the country? Never enough with these africans.
This is the most amazing, educational documentary I've seen.
Wow, such an eye opener. will make sure everyone in my circle see this documentary.
Thank you!
Frank Akwetey !! Me to 😨
What can we do as a people to stop this
@@blissfull7648 People should just stop buying canned tomatoes. Things will change. We the consumer have the power
@@blissfull7648 2 Chron 7:14. Psalms 34:15-22.
Western union changing African currencies at ridiculous rates. After working crazy hours and days.
Bitcoin
But the President of Ghana is touting that his country is doing well economically...and the Black diaspora should "come home" to invest....
Dee Jay He is right. Ghana is doing better. That doesn't mean there aren't any problems in the country. Foreign investment would bring a lot of money to the country.
@@deejay5102 I am a Ghanaian and can say emphatically that our current president is the worst in our history.
A western puppet who has lost control over his ministers.
@@suedimurekezi7221 doing what better..from where, we are doing worse.
My family and I always support local produce when we go to Ghana.
This is the real impact of globalization.
Living outside for sometime now, I now understand how blessed we are. Fresh tomotoes here? You can't afford them.
A trend we see happening with commercial farmers everywhere! Once you control the food source, you can control the people.
@Anne Ritchie explain to me how they are not real farmers?
"Trend" is not the proper noun.
K
@@Klauserasme she’s been posting that same comment on several replies on here. I believe we call people like her trolls. I grew up in the Caribbean. We don’t stake tomatoes there either.
@@maxicali8410 I also great up in the Caribbean I'm haitian
The root of this problem is actually the IMF giving Ghana some loan and one of the preconditions was to stop the subsidies given to farmers. Without these subsidies, farmers were struggling to be both profitable and competitive. Farmers in the EU, the US and other countries have access to subsidies and can do industrial farming at large scales. This allows them to dump their surplus on Ghana and other poor countries. The poor local farmers and factories can't compete with these cheap alternatives and are forced out of the market.
Governments should stand up for their people and support the local economies. Of course they can't do that now because they will be subjected to sanctions and their governments may even get overthrown.
The sad thing about this documentary is that the people in this region will not get to watch this documentary, we those who get to watch have already fled the country. I come from a village close to where the documentary was made. Thanks DW for throwing light on our plight.
My heart was broken by watching this documentary, May God heal and strengthen my fellow brothers trying to find a better life for their families and well done to DW for a well documented video, God bless you for the eye opening videos 🙌
are you american? too bad american people or groups aren't going overseas to africa to start up those closed factory farms!!! seems like ideal opportunity. just grow the right varieties.
I stayed in Ghana in East legon for 1 month and travelled to madina Market on a trotro often I also purchased that very brand of canned tomatoes with out giving it a second thought so it made this documentary even more hard hitting to me as an englishman.
Its made me feel angry, sad and also hopeful for the future at the end.
So far I haven't met a bad ghanaian generally lovely people and you can see they just want to work and earn a fair living.
Capitalism, greed, missmarketing, rules, policies only seem to help the very few whilst the average person suffers.
@Alpharock Salah Chinese only... Avoid ALL canned food... The only solution for this is consuming whole fresh plant food produced locally and organically, and principally educate the people how to APPLY the knowledge other wise they just became coach potatoes like tourists in those countries...
Mike..Well if capitaism were allowed to be free from government intervention - then Ghana would be selling tomatoes to UK (and elsewhere) ..Problem here is the socialist euro agri policies to support euro farmers using EU members tax money - and is infact one of the main reasons i voted brexit. ps, yah, Ghana is great!! (DaiDai from Swansea - now in Kenya)
@Alpharock Salah Globalism makes everyone better off (in the end) but euro government subsidies (plus fiat currency distortions) distort the market and explain your ghana farmer who cannot believe how cheap euro stuff is
All tomatoes rot on the shelves - without preservation techniques.
Ghana does not have privileged access the same cheap debt to buy the technologies - heck, eurozone is now around 0% interest
@Alpharock Salah NO developing country farmer can compete with the power of western socialist government policies - desighned to support their home euro farming communities.
How is it that anything can be boxed/canned and shipped 6000 miles, (some distance at western wage rates) on and offloaded from ship, driven with diesel trucks - and then still be cheaper than local.
Because of crazy socailist policies and people who dont understand eco-nomics and the laws of unintended consequences (or dont care) This is NOT free market or capitalism -its a mess
@Alpharock Salah This is socialist government policy - only available to euro/US farners.
The answer is free market, free from government intervention, then ghana could compete - at least locally.
The free market would not give free loans. and no, aid to anyone for anything is not helpfull. That may sound cruel, but then you dont know how much aid/welfare the buisiness class gets in western countries. Let the euro tomato industry suffer, europeans pay more - and ghana prosper.
Same goes for rice, corn, soya - and only because oil is sold by the paper/digital dollar and therfore the global means of exchange - it stinks. Its socialism for the rich - NOT capitalism
I have read a couple of stories about the African migrants who were drawn and died in Mediterranean along the way to Europe. At first, I don't know their purposes of coming to Europe. In this documentary, I could learn that there are so many heart touching stories behind every migrants. They have to risk their life for their family to make end meets. The man who was injured even cried when he talked on the phone with his brother. I can feel how much he suffered working away from home and he was also injured. Due to they are being black, they also have discrimination working society. I pray that Ghana government authorities will take responsibilities for the poverty-stricken on their own citizens.
Unbelievable, over 400 years later, and the playbook is still strong?
If Ghana revives its industries and stop dependency on imports, people will be happy
That's a hard if. Ghanaians need to stand up to China and Italy and make a new trade policy to stop import dependency. Best of luck to them, but sadly they don't have much negotiating power.
@@Wuprrr And the government doesn't also subsidize agribusiness.
We are doing it little by little. You can search for 1d1f but mostly they are in twi. 1D1F GHANA
IF
....ONLY IF
There's the whole WTO to deal with. The global economic system is deliberately designed that way, to tie the hands of some countries and make them the consumers of the surplus of others while producing none for themselves. These countries had no business joining the WTO and its restrictive rules when they did. Even China; when did it join the WTO?
Tomatoes here in the Philippines are dumped along the road due to over supply, but farmers are still suffering in poverty.
@Anne Ritchie I believe staking them will require more overhead?
Mainly because of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and that there's no available trucking service to bring them to the cities. But it was a lost opportunity for the government to buy those tomatoes and distribute them as free food amongst the needy.
and people still starve. Abandon capitalism and open markets. Abandon globalism. Socialism is the way we must follow or else our future is more bondage and suffering
You can imagine? EUROPE union and Americans and British government has destroyed the world because of their own selfish interests
@Anne Ritchie you talk too much will you go around tge whole phillipines and start picking tomatoes??
Amazing documentary. Lord Jesus Africa needs UR help for leadership.
Thank u for helping me understand why these young people risk their lives on the Mediterranean Sea.
Thank you for creating a content on this topic. I was never aware of the issue. I hope that the planting process don't affect anyone negatively and everything goes well.
Thank you so much for the amazing film DW!!
When the mindset is bad - we cannot see how wealthy Africa is - poverty of the mind
Is it possible for some countries to provide a farming grant to get them off the ground. Like from foundation or government. You have keeping seeking.
Ruth Grant You’re not a good listener. Some of the imported tomatoes come from the U.S
Absolutely its a mind set issue for many people in the continent. There is no way you can tell me that this continent has the resources but cannot thrive. It's a complex issue.
Monique Wyatt - seriously - the biggest problem is corrupt politicians.
All the best to you cause Africa has been held back for to long.
Ruth Grant - don’t look to others to be your saviours - they will only help themselves - not you.
best channel and best documentary. thank you, WD.
I love documentaries and DW is my new best friend...
DW is one of the best stations I’ve seen! Bar none ! Fair and honest!
Speedy recovery to that Ghanaian guy with the head injury. If this documentary is anything to go by, working the tomato fields of Italy is gruelling enough without having an injury to contend with.
Says right 👍
As the child of immigrants I have immense respect for these men who risk everything to try to provide a better future for their family through honest work, and wish more effort would be devoted to offering them humane working conditions. I do think their own country needs to become stronger and do more to improve the conditions of their own people, but it is wrong for more developed countries to abuse these migrant workers for such exploitative cheap labor.
you benefit from it too all first world countries are build on that.
No one is allowed to force any nation to buy goods nor to buy unwanted goods.
💯
Hmm... This is only tomatoes. Just imagine the other crops
or indudtries
It pains me seeing their hardships and sacrifices just to get a living and support their families back home. I hope changes will come and that the world will see their worth not just an ordinary worker but a fellow human being.
the sad part is once they reach Europe are treated badly
The global market is brutal. If you want to compete, you have to be tough - and smart. It's not as simple as just growing from tomatoes.
Amen
I feel so sad for this story because tomato in Kenya is a gold
Tusipochunga though these Chinese might also flood our market with these cheap products
@@wesleywagumba812 They already did bro with fish and garlic to name but a few.
@@agricultureandagribusiness759 Damn.This is sad
Dont worry brothers in Ghana, your time will come. Greetings from Hungary.
5 cents a kilo? i pay 2 euro a kilo in the supermarket here, someone's making easy money
Jeffrey Bozko your forgetting the logistics fuel storage supermarket has the upper hand one farmer against supermarket who have choice of farmers to buy from? In the uk Morrison’s can ring a farmer the night before say I want produce then in the morning they say we don’t want it. Farmer looses big time
@@sweetvuvuzela4634 Im not forgetting logistics at all, i just said that i pay 2 euro a kilo and someones making easy money, wich is true.
@@budgetking2591 No one I making easy money, everyone in the chain takes a cut.
If it was easy money supermarkets wouldn't going under left right and center.
@@cheesuscheetos4076 Im quite sure there is people in the chain making easy money, i didnt say it was the supermarkets, i know its not them.
I pay 4€/kg in Paris
Sad to see, poor condition of farmers in Ghana.Ghana is a very peaceful country, nice and honest people, hopefully soon they will over come of these difficulties.
Tell Ghanians to buy Ghana-grown tomatoes.
Fantastic,Thank you very much,bringing my country to the world is amazing..🙏
DW Documentaries so special ❤
Thank you for the video. It is important to shows to the world the plight of the Ghanaian people. My prayers for the Ghanaian are that their GOD will bless them all in re-building their life, a better life.
Watching this documentary makes me sad. Young Ghanaian men wasting their life in Italy. This is modern day slavery.
They luv it there...
CashCow they don’t! Did u even watch the documentary?
How exactly? They voluntarily chose to go to Italy.
Shaun Cameron that’s why it’s called modern day slavery. Unlike Jim Crow era.
Stop playing the victim card, race card, and stop blaming others for your problems. Your problems are the result of your choices and decisions. Not others.
Thank you DW for shedding light on this.
this is why we must stand together as Africans if one country stands alone they will pressure and press them, but if we all stand together, we are a formidable force
Around 4 percent of Ghanas imported tomatoes come from Europe. Almost all of the tomatoes are imported from China according to official figures.
China is the world problem today, search on youtube for "Chinese fishing fleet".
I will never buy anything produced in China!
@@Ragnarswe Don’t do big talks. Your flippin phone is made in China. Your tv, t shirt, innerware everything is made in China. Cuz it’s cheap and only affordable thing.
@@buckethead133 Is that you? Beavis and Buckethead? Or is that Butthead? Same-same different name.
Ban china, everything! I wouldnt trust any food from that place
@@buckethead133 what's innerware?
unreal how a species so intelligent exploits everything and anything for a buck. GREED destroys
When we live in a Ghanaian society where there's total disparity in standards of living, this is what results. Those who feed the nation are rather disrespected while the crook politicians enjoy. My father was a farmer but due to poor gains for farmers, it has not even occurred for me to try farming myself. It's so sad.
At least provide them better living conditions. Heartbreaking to see them work hard and live with No electricity No running water No housing. They had better life in Ghana it’s sad. Shame on Italian Farmers!!!
with heavy heart I m going through....sending lots of love, prayers and hugs....New York!
So everything but financial aid. Great.
There seems to be some people in the world that is very good a de-stabilizing countries.
26 people own more than 4 BILLION people & they spend great resources to keep it so.
@@katiekane5247 150 of the biggest corporations which run the world are controlled by very few families...
@Billy Perry Your comment comes from complete ignorance. Get an education.
@@morfeo904 Or perhaps his comment actually comes from greed?
Thanks so much for posting
I live in Peru and cannot afford to buy tomatoes. And I can't even grow them due to many insects in the jungle 😥
The irony... since it's an american native fruit... have you tried a green house?
This is interesting, I can't say i'm surprised they are being exploited, I've seen this for myself in Australia as well. Such hard working people not living but surviving.
saih, you didn't understand that it was fellow Ghanians buying imported tomatoes that drove these men to leave their country?
I don't know how DW manages to make all these documentaries. Premium content for free.
Its not for free, its paid by the german "rundfunkgebühr", where every household has to pay 17,5€ per month, if you watch tv or not.
@@stevensegal4294 like the bbc
i wonder if african leaders study impacts of this trade deals before signing them
When you total GDP is less than the personal wealth of the top three richest Americans, it's hard to negotiate strongly. If African countries banded together, they could turn that around.
THIS IS SO HEARTBREAKING!
This broke my heart as a Congolese who now lives in the USA as a u.s citizen I often check on Africa to see how things are I'm recently in the process of opening my own business and nursing school so I can help but this just broke my heart
Nice idea happy to meet u. When are you coming
As another Congolese person living in the UK I stay connected to African issues. We need to help Africa fund inter continental links to single out the middle men. I hope to one day create an organisation with sponsors, intellectuals and legal people to help us create our own policies and start making waves. This is our time. The inequality is getting tiring. I won’t die having done nothing and everyone who loves Africa should make a little change because together we will win.
You left your homeland. You dont care for them.
i find dw documentaries to be very informative. thank you dw, keep it up.
Congratulations DW complete your 2M subscribers 🎊🎊🎉
Hi @Noor Khan,
Thanks a lot! 😊🎉 And thank you for watching.
Best,
The (very happy) DW Documentary Team
These kind of documentaries are informative, DW, keep up
Heavily subsidised agriculture in the EU unfair competition is one of the problems for African countries.
good herd instincts
And The fking cheap laborers from Asia and Africa just contribute more to subsidiary
Then why don't the importing countries tariff the product? Do you just remove all agency from entire nations so will nilly?
It is irrelevant if Chinese, American, European or wherever provides subsidies for their native industries. That is their prerogative to do so. It is the prerogative of nations to defend the best interests of those who they represent. If the Ghana government chose to not protect their industries, that is their failing.
@@jamesguinan415 Ghana tried the tariff approach and was threatened with other crucial aspects of trade so we had to concede. We are trying to do same with rice, let's hope it works this time. Nigeria has had some success with stopping the in flow of rice that nearly killed their rice farming.
@@clementoseitano7568 Threatened by who? And why were they threatened, were they renaging on a prior agreement in doing so?
The farmers and the tomato factory should form a corporation
But how?
@@solomonreal1977 educated people know how. get them on board. also look on internet.
I think Nigeria has been able to curb the risk of imported tomatoes. Nigerian tomato farmer are heavily supported by the government causing an exponential growth in the produce. Imported tomato is very expensive here so we locals do not buy them. Dangote is also doing a lot to build the largest tomato paste factory in the Africa. When that is complete it would be a game changer. We definitely need the African free trade deal to go ahead to change this post colonial trade anomalies and trade imbalances.
Sad seeing this happening. Life is truly unfair. I prayed these people will have a better life in time.
SAD!! SAD VERY SAD. this country has so much potential to produce for themselves and these people want to work in their own country and build it but ........they can't. ..I hope this documentary helps to make a difference
This is a painful watch. But Thank you DW for enlightening me. Onwards forwards... to evoke an impactful change!
Best documentary I have ever watched
Hi @Elizabeth Nyarko,
Glad you thought so, thanks for watching and the kind words.
Best,
The DW Documentary Team
I met many Ghanaians when I used to work at the airport. Such good friends (medamfoo). Nice to hear Twi again. It was the first language I learned outside of my native English and Secondary Spanish.