The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has stepped in to address the outbreak of tomato ebola in various regions of the country.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, acknowledged the challenges faced by tomato farmers, stating, “A significant portion of our tomato farms has been affected by a severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner, leading to a drastic reduction in tomato availability and increased costs.”
Kyari outlined immediate measures being taken by the ministry, including deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to contain and eradicate the infestation. Furthermore, farmers are being provided with essential resources and guidance to expedite the recovery of their crops, similar to the establishment of the Ginger Blight Control Taskforce.
Recognizing the impact on daily lives and the surge in tomato prices, currently ranging between N100,000 and N90,000 in the market, the ministry is committed to resolving the situation swiftly to restore the supply of affordable tomatoes and mitigate losses incurred by farmers due to insect invasion and devastation.
