Achimota School’s agricultural revival project continues to deliver fresh produce, with the Old Achimotan Association (OAA) announcing that harvesting is ongoing and encouraging the public to purchase farm fresh AchiMatoes from its secretariat at the school’s new office.

The initiative forms part of efforts to restore the institution’s historic school farm ahead of its centenary celebrations in 2027.

The continued harvesting represents a practical milestone for the project, which seeks to reconnect Achimota School with its agricultural heritage while promoting food production, practical education and community participation.

Through the initiative, the school and its old students aim to demonstrate how agricultural activities can complement formal education and contribute to local food supply.

The latest announcement, invites consumers to obtain the tomatoes directly from the OAA Secretariat. Although the announcement does not disclose the quantity harvested, current stock, prices or total sales, it confirms that the project is continuing to make produce available to the public.

“We’re still harvesting, get your farm fresh AchiMatoes from the OAA Secretariat.”
Old Achimotan Association

The announcement highlights the immediate commercial aspect of the project: bringing farm produce from cultivation to consumers while maintaining public interest in the broader restoration effort.

Reviving Achimota’s Agricultural Heritage

Achimota School, established in 1927, has a longstanding educational philosophy centred on developing students intellectually, socially and practically. Agriculture was historically part of this approach, providing students with opportunities to acquire practical skills alongside classroom instruction.

Achimotan Old School Association Promoting Tomato Production

However, the school’s historic farm had been abandoned over time amid challenges, including land encroachment. The restoration initiative seeks to re-establish agricultural production as a meaningful component of the school’s educational and institutional development.

The Old Achimotan Association officially launched the farm restoration project on April 12, 2025. The launch brought together old students and members of the school community to support efforts to revive the farm as Achimota approached its 100th anniversary.

According to project information published by the association, the proposed development covers 25 acres and combines crop production with practical agricultural learning.

Its design includes five acres for maize, 15 acres for open field vegetable cultivation, 4.5 acres for habanero and chilli peppers, and half an acre for greenhouse production.

Tomatoes are among the crops identified for cultivation, alongside onions, okra, cowpeas, garden eggs, ginger and lettuce. The greenhouse component is intended to support the production of high-value vegetables, including tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers.

The project’s broader objective is to establish a productive agricultural facility that supports the school’s needs, creates opportunities for revenue generation and exposes students to modern farming methods.

From Harvesting to Market Opportunities

The availability of AchiMatoes illustrates the importance of connecting agricultural production to consumers. For farmers and agricultural enterprises, harvesting alone does not guarantee commercial success; produce must also reach buyers in suitable condition and within a reasonable period.

Direct sales can provide a practical route to market by connecting producers with consumers without necessarily relying on several intermediaries. For a school-based agricultural project, this approach also creates an opportunity to build public awareness of the farm and encourage supporters to participate in its activities through purchases.

The OAA’s current announcement provides a direct collection point at its secretariat, although it does not specify whether the tomatoes are available for wholesale orders, deliveries or advance reservations. Prospective buyers may therefore need to contact the association or visit the designated office to confirm availability and prices.

‘’The farm restoration proposal also identifies irrigation and greenhouse cultivation as components of the planned production system. These approaches can help farmers manage growing conditions and improve the consistency of production when properly designed and maintained.’’
Old Achimotan Association

The project’s long term commercial performance will depend on its ability to maintain production, manage operating costs and sell harvested crops efficiently. Public updates on yields, sales, expenditure and farm operations would help stakeholders assess its progress against those objectives.

The farm restoration proposal describes the initiative as a practical learning environment for sustainable agriculture, diversified crop production and community engagement.

This approach places the current tomato sales within a wider agricultural development framework rather than treating them as an isolated fundraising or retail activity.

Centenary Project Supports Practical Education

Achimota’s farm restoration is also aligned with broader efforts to strengthen agricultural education and food production in Ghana. The Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, through its School Farms Initiative, promotes school-based farming as a means of developing practical agricultural skills, supporting food resilience and producing crops relevant to the country’s food system.

The national initiative and Achimota’s project are distinct programmes, but both demonstrate the potential value of linking education with practical food production.

For Achimota, the farm offers an opportunity to expose students to crop establishment, irrigation, pest management, harvesting, post-harvest handling and agricultural marketing. Such experiences can help learners understand the relationship between production decisions, food quality and commercial viability.

The restoration effort also creates an avenue for old students, corporate organisations and other supporters to contribute to a shared institutional project. The OAA previously announced a centenary raffle to help mobilise resources for the farm’s development, reflecting the financial demands associated with restoring agricultural infrastructure and sustaining operations.

“From seedlings to abundance, the farm is once again becoming a source of nourishment, training, and pride.’’
Old Achimotan Association

As harvesting continues, the immediate invitation to purchase AchiMatoes provides the public with a tangible way to engage with the initiative. Buyers can obtain the tomatoes from the OAA Secretariat at Achimota School’s new office, while confirming current availability and prices directly with the association.

The project’s longer-term significance will ultimately depend on sustained agricultural production, meaningful student participation and effective management.

As Achimota approaches its centenary in 2027, the farm’s progress offers an opportunity to demonstrate how an educational institution can reconnect its heritage with practical agriculture, community involvement and responsible food production.