Nigeria Faces Unprecedented Tomato and Pepper Shortage
Nigeria is experiencing a severe shortage of tomatoes and peppers, with prices remaining high for several months. Despite a slight decrease in prices, experts warn that the crisis will persist beyond the 2024 wet season if urgent action is not taken.
Key Points:
- Tomato prices reached an all-time high of N120,000 per basket in June 2024, dropping slightly to N60,000-N68,000 last week.
- Nigeria’s tomato production has increased over the years, but demand still outstrips supply, with a deficit of 1.3 million tonnes.
- Pest attacks, particularly Tuta Absoluta, have devastated farms, causing an estimated $17 billion in damages in 2023.
- Farmers in several states, including Kano, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau, have abandoned tomato farming due to the crisis.
- Industry experts and farmers are calling for government intervention and support to address the shortage and pest management.
Efforts to Address the Crisis:
- The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has provided pesticides and support to affected farmers.
- The National Raw Materials Research Council (NRMRC) and other bodies are working with the Tomato Growers Association Nigeria (TOGAN) to develop improved seeds.
- HortiNigeria, a Netherlands-funded program, has launched an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) campaign to educate farmers on effective pest management strategies.
