Ogona Anita
Thousands of farmers have been affected—many of whom invested heavily in tomato cultivation—only for their crops to be ravaged by the pest known as Tuta absoluta.
The Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm over an impending shortage and surge in the price of tomatoes due to massive destruction caused by a notorious pest across farmlands in different parts of the country.
Thousands of farmers have been affected—many of whom invested heavily in tomato cultivation—only for their crops to be ravaged by the pest known as Tuta absoluta.
The association says the effects of the pests invasion are already being felt across key farming regions.
According to the association, the pest outbreak began as early as March this year, severely damaging large tomato farms especially in Northern states like Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi.
Some farmers have reportedly lost everything they invested — running into millions of naira.
Alhaji Sani Danladi Yada-Kwari, Chairman of the Tomato Growers Association in Kano State and also the national secretary, described the situation as devastating, especially in Kano.
He explained that many farmers who planted in November and December have not been able to harvest anything due to the infestation.
“In Kano, the damage is enormous,” he said. “Anyone whose tomatoes hadn’t matured for harvest before the pest attack lost everything. Some were ready to harvest, only for the pest to destroy the entire crop within three days.”
This massive damage has prompted traders to predict a severe tomato shortage and price hike across the country.
Alhaji Yada-Kwari further estimated that farmers in Kano alone have lost over N20billion worth of tomatoes due to the infestation, and the losses are still being counted.
The pest thrives in hot weather and is notoriously resistant to most pesticides, making it extremely difficult to control.
Alin Bello, secretary of the tomato traders association at the Yan Kaba market, confirmed the scarcity, saying the current supply is not only insufficient but also poor in quality.
“Most tomatoes brought to market are already infested. If they’re not sold immediately, they rot before the end of the day,” he explained. “This is why good-quality tomatoes are becoming hard to find in most parts of Kano.”
Tuta absoluta is highly destructive, and farmers have been urged by Alhaji Yada-Kwari to act swiftly at the first sign of infestation.
