If you have noticed that tomatoes are expensive in the market and have been thinking it’s because of the Ramadan month when Muslims fast, you may want to reconsider after hearing this story.
Tomato farmers in Kano state, in the northwest of Nigeria, have told us what might be causing the high cost of tomatoes in the market.
“I have lost everything on my farm, not a single tomato remains,” said Muhsin Musa, one tomato farmer, as he told his story of how he lost his crops to Tuta absoluta, the pest that is causing the high cost of tomatoes in the market.
“It’s not just me, all my neighbours on the farm also lost all their crops,” the farmer who farms in Dambatta local government said.
“We were hoping to profit from the crops, but this pest has made us lose everything,” Muhsin told BBC News.
Alhaji Sani Yadakwari is the chairman of the Tomato Growers Association for Kano State, and he said that farmers have lost up to N1.5 billion.
“Do you notice that tomatoes are expensive in the market? This is the reason, this Tuta absoluta has caused destruction to our crops.”
“What we have lost is N1.5 billion, and you know that Kano is the biggest producer of tomatoes in Nigeria, that’s why the effect is felt everywhere.”
“Every farmer should have at least N5 million per hectare of tomatoes, so calculate for yourself what the loss would be.”
Alhaji Sani said that Kano state is the biggest producer of tomatoes in Nigeria, and the problem of Tuta absoluta is what is making the vegetable (or fruit) expensive across markets in the country.
“Kano supplies many places in Nigeria, that’s why tomatoes are expensive in the market at the moment.”
“It will even be more expensive soon because the heat is contributing significantly to this pest problem. It is not until the rainy season that tomatoes will be available and normal.”
The chairman said that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has reached out to them about the problem and promised to help, but there is nothing concrete yet.
“Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture reached out to us, asking us to compile a list of affected farmers and farms. We have done that and are still waiting for them.”
In 2016, Kaduna State declared a state of emergency for Tuta Absoluta after it ravaged 80% of all tomato farms in the state, resulting in over N1 billion in losses.
“I feel pain every time I buy tomatoes from the market”
Abubakar Muhammad expressed his dissatisfaction with the small quantity of tomatoes sellers give him, which causes him discomfort.
He was unaware that pests were causing the problem and had assumed it was due to the dry season. He hopes that the government will assist farmers in addressing the issue since both buyers and farmers are suffering.
What you need to know about Tuta absoluta
Tuta absoluta is a species of moth that is also known as the South American tomato pinworm, tomato leafminer, tomato pinworm, or South American tomato moth. It is a well-known tomato crop pest in Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and South and Central America, and can cause up to 100% crop loss if left uncontrolled.
The right solution is not pesticides but more knowledge
Dr Nafiu Bala Sanda, an agronomist and crop protection expert at Bayero University in Kano state, stated that the solution to the problem is for farmers to have better knowledge about tomatoes.
He recommends that special seminars be held for tomato farmers to educate them about their crops. According to him, the solution to Tuta absoluta is not pesticides since the disease has become resistant to them over time.
Instead, it is important to notice the disease early and take appropriate action. Dr Sanda expressed sadness over the fact that farmers who invested their time, money, and effort into growing tomatoes have not benefitted from their labour.
