Experts have explained reasons for the scarcity and hike in the price of tomato in Nigeria most especially in the Southern part of the country.
In a price assessment by NatureNews, traders at oil mill market, Port Harcourt told NatureNews correspondent on Saturday that in January, a basket of tomatoes was N2,500 but now, it is between N25,000 and N30, 000.
In Niger State, a source also said that basket of tomatoes is between N30,000 to N35,000.
Reports also showed that in states where tomatoes are cultivated, including Kano, Katsina and Benue, the price of the commodity has risen from N17,000–N20,000 a basket to N40,000-N45,000.
Last month, not fewer than 500 tomato farmers lost 300-hectare farm valued at N1.5 billion to tomato Ebola known as ‘Tuta Absoluta‘ ravaging farms in some parts of the country.
The affected states are mainly Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Gombe.
President of Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Emmanuel Ijewere, made this known at a press conference in Abuja organised by Horti Nigeria and supported by The Netherlands.
Ijewere described the Tuta Absoluta as an insect which builds its home under the tomato leaves.
He also stated that climate change had also enhanced the movement of pests around the field.
Commenting on this development, Mr Gagarin Madaki, an expert in natural resource and exports told NatureNews on Wednesday, said that the major reason for the scarcity is because of the Tomato disease.
Madaki who is also the current vice chairman, All farmers Association (AFAN ), Kaduna state chapter and the Secretary of Shea products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) said, “there is a disease called “tuta absoluta”. It attacked tomatoes, so the supply in the north is not enough and that is why there is a corresponding increase in the south.”
Asked about the efforts put in by government to stop the spread of the disease, Madaki informed that the tomato disease “is very difficult to manage and the problem is becoming a pandemic for tomato producers globally.”
“It is airborne and it was not arrested on time,” he added.
The Kaduna AFAN vice president, while commenting on the recent UN prediction of hunger in Nigeria, also said that, ‘’the planting season is just starting it’s difficult to give an analysis of their prediction.
However, he said, “last year, the reason had to do with the fact that after COVID, prices of everything skyrocketed and production was low. This year, I can’t predict because I see a lot of effort made by farmers to organise themselves in investing more.”
Also speaking to another farmer, Chief Daniel Okafor, he blamed the hike in tomato price on multiple taxes and roads claiming taskforce.
Speaking on the UN report, Chief Okafor who is the National President of Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), said “It is true data. I am in support of UN Data. Corruption is the order of Day in Nigeria. We celebrate corruption in Nigeria. Federal ministry have their way of doing what they like without carrying farmers along in taking policies.
“No inputs for farmers, no grants to support the farmers. Climate change is also affecting us. Boko Haram banditry and no incentives for COVID 19 support to the farmers are all factors affecting farmers production, hence, UN’s report is valid and hunger is seriously looming in Nigeria.”
Efforts were made to contact National President of Tomato Farmers, but as at the time of filing this report, no response has been made.
But speaking to Mr Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Assistant Director, Information of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, he said that presently, there is no official statement from the ministry on the intervention of the government to curtail the spread of the disease.
He also said that the ministry is preparing for the presidential swearing in on May 29, hence, affecting some activities in the ministry.