Nigeria Targets Reversal Of N1.3bn Tomato Disease Losses To Farmers

The federal government is pushing ahead with plans to eradicate losses to tomato farmers.
In May 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated that the pest caused losses exceeding N1.3 billion and contributed to rising market prices.
The ministry has therefore launched the programme to address the rapid spread of the pest, described as the most destructive threat to tomato crops.
The moth species feeds on leaves and fruits and can cause losses of 80 per cent to 100 per cent in untreated fields.

The move follows reports of tomato crop losses linked to Tuta absoluta in several northern producing states, including Kano, Katsina and Kaduna, during the previous year.
Nigeria produced 3.73 million tons of tomatoes in 2024, according to National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) data. Farmers cultivated nearly 824,000 hectares, while output remained broadly flat year-on-year.

The initiative will raise farmer awareness, distribute approved phytosanitary inputs and provide technical support on integrated pest management practices to quickly contain infestations.
In addition, the programme will promote two tomato varieties, HORTITOM4 and HORTITOM5, which researchers developed in 2025. Authorities designed the varieties for open-field, greenhouse and irrigated cultivation. Officials stated that the varieties show good disease tolerance and yield between 21.7 and 27.2 tons per hectare.
“The tomato is not only a widely cultivated and consumed vegetable in the country, but also a major source of income for small holder farmers. Nigeria ranks among Africa’s leading tomato producers, and this crop supports millions of jobs in production, processing, transport and marketing,” Agriculture Minister Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said.
Moreover, NAERLS, highlighted renewed pest infestations, including a resurgence of Tuta absoluta, in Kano State in its 2024 annual agricultural campaign report.