Kano – Tomato farmers in Kano State are now in shock after losing over N1.5 billion worth of tomato plantations to recent attacks by tuta absoluta, a tomato pest that is described as one of the most devastating insects affecting tomato crops.
The state Chairman of the Tomato Out Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), Alhaji Sani Danladi Yadakwari, confirmed this to newsmen.
He said the association has commenced a mini census of the affected farms.
The Chairman said the group had already mapped out attacked areas, adding that so far, over 300 hectares of tomato plantation has been affected.
According to him, the attack is gradually spreading to more farms in other areas across the tomato-producing areas in the state.
The TOGAN Chairman further revealed that it was estimated that farmers in the state have lost over N1.5 billion worth of tomato plantations to the pest attack.
NEPC trains tomato exporters on addressing technical barriers
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has just trained 100 tomato farmers and exporters on how to address technical barriers associated with the tomato value chain.
The training which took place at the National Incubation Centre in Kano had farmers, processors, marketers and exporters of tomatoes in the state in attendance.
Speaking on the training, the regional coordinator of the NEPC in the Northwest region, Mr. Salam Ma’aruf Akinsola, said it is towards recouping the loss and risks associated with the tomato value chain .
He said the training was also geared towards ensuring that Nigerian tomatoes are not rejected in the global markets.
“Most of our commodities are rejected and, as a government agency responsible for the promotion of non-oil exports, we cannot fold our hands and be looking like that.
“That is why we embarked on a series of sensitizations across the country, so that in the end, our product can be more competitive abroad,” he said.
He said tomato, as one of the important commodities needed globally, has a chance of attracting markets abroad and that is why Kano is chosen for the training, being the leafing producer of tomato.
He added that recently, the United Kingdom reduced income tariff by 7.5% for some selected Nigerian products and that tomato was among, which gives exporters the chance to attract the market and gain profit.
Earlier in his presentation, the Director , Extension Services, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), Gambo Isa Garko, said although about two million hectares of tomatoes are cultivated in Nigeria every year, 45 per cent of the products is lost while being processed and transported to markets.
He urged the farmers and exporters to adopt a system of farming and processing to compete globally in the markets.(Daily Trust)
