By Grace Samuel
With tomato prices soaring, leaving many Nigerians struggling to afford this essential vegetable, former presidential spokesperson of the Labour Party, Doyin Okupe, has offered a practical solution.
Okupe took to the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to advise Nigerians to grow tomatoes at home, emphasizing that it is an easy and inexpensive way to access the fruit.
A medium-sized basket of tomatoes, containing between 60 to 80 fruits, currently costs around N45,000 in the market.
This skyrocketing price has sparked concerns among Nigerians, with many finding it challenging to consume tomatoes due to the high cost.
Okupe’s advice comes as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, attributed the hike in tomato prices to an infestation known as Tomato Ebola. This pest has significantly reduced tomato availability, leading to the surge in prices.
In response, the ministry has outlined plans to combat the issue. These measures include deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to control and eliminate the infestation, as well as supporting farmers with resources and guidance to quickly recover their crops.
Okupe’s suggestion to grow tomatoes at home offers a temporary solution to the problem. By using sacks to cultivate tomatoes, Nigerians can enjoy a steady supply of fresh tomatoes without relying on the market.
This approach promotes self-sufficiency and reduces reliance on external factors affecting tomato prices.
As the government works to address the Tomato Ebola infestation and stabilize prices, Okupe’s advice provides a practical way for Nigerians to access tomatoes despite the current challenges.
By embracing homegrown tomatoes, Nigerians can ensure a steady supply of this essential vegetable, even in the face of market fluctuations.