Tomato Farmers Lose N720m As HortiNigeria, NABG, Others Combat Pest

The Dutch-funded HortiNigeria has collaborated with the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) and major stakeholders in the agriculture sector to find a solution to the threat of Tuta Absoluta, a deadly pest that has resurged to attack tomato in Nigeria in 2023 leading to massive losses.

Figures from National Tomato Growers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), reveal that losses caused by Tuta Absoluta are enormous as over 300 hectares of land are affected with each hectare bearing a cost of production of over N2.4 million totalling an estimated loss of direct investments to over N720 million in states such as Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Plateau mostly affected.

The urgency of the situation necessitated a brainstorming on this menace that was held in Abuja on Tuesday. The other key stakeholders included the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT) Croplife and National Tomato Growers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN).

President of the NABG Chief Emmanuel Ijewere, while delivering his remarks on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that to avoid the a repeat of the devastations caused by the tomato disease to small holder farmers particularly as seen in 2016, it is imperative for key stakeholders to collaborate and harness resources needed to address the issues early and reduce the negative consequences that will be felt across the value chain- from farmers to consumer.

According to the Director General of NABG, Dr. Manzo Maigari in his remarks, farmers in affected states will have the benefit of demonstration of strategies for containment and prevention by technical officers in the field.

Mohammed Salasi Idris, HortiNigeria Program Director, stated that in the past one of the reasons the pest ravaged farms was as a result of the lack of awareness by most farmers, as many of them did not know how to combat it. He said “that this time we want to ensure proper sensitisation to help farmers know what they are dealing with and how to address it.”

He explained that the program’s demonstration fields were not affected despite the pest attack on neighbouring farms. “We will work with farmers and agro-input dealers, showing techniques and technologies needed to combat this small but disastrous pest,” he added.

Tuta Absoluta of the moth family specie, is a deadly pest that destroyed many tomato farms in Nigeria in 2016, which caused tomato scarcity and reduced the nutrition of many Nigerian families. The resurgence of this threat in 2023 has sent stakeholders into anxiety.

In looking for a solution to this disease, the National Horticulture Research Institute has developed a sustainable environmentally friendly Integrated Management Packages which include biopesticide named NIHORT LYPTOL and NIHORT RAKTIN which effectively kill the egg and damaging the larvae of Tuta and Tuta Trap Tray which kill adult Tuta. The Institute has successfully demonstrated and trained farmers on the use of technologies in affected states.

NIHORT has also conducted airing of sustainable Tuta control jingles in media platforms for proper sensitisation.