News in brief:
– Tomato farmers report severe damage from Tuta Absoluta pest, causing crop destruction and scarcity
– Farmers urge government intervention and technology adoption to manage and prevent future outbreaks.
Tomato farmers across Nigeria are raising the alarm over a fresh outbreak of Tuta Absoluta, a highly destructive pest that has already begun to devastate farms and impact market prices.
Tuta Absoluta, also known as the tomato leaf miner, is known to cause up to 100% loss if not properly managed. Often referred to as “Tomato Ebola” by local growers, the pest can wipe out tomato fields in just over 48 hours.
Its ability to breed between 10 and 12 generations annually, with each female laying up to 300 eggs, makes it one of the most dangerous threats to tomato production in Africa and beyond.
Farmers count losses as Tomato prices triple in the north
Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, said the infestation started in March, devastating tomato farms and affecting prices, especially in the north.
“In northern markets, a 50kg basket of tomatoes now sells for around ₦30,000. Before the outbreak, it cost between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000,” he said.
He linked the outbreak to unusually high temperatures and increased soil humidity, noting that these conditions have made tomato farms more vulnerable this season.
The national secretary of the association and chairman of the Kano state chapter, Alhaji Yada-Kwari, in this report by Sahara Reporters, estimated the loss of tomato farmers in Kano to over N20 billion already as the losses are still being counted.
“Anyone whose tomatoes hadn’t matured for harvest before the pest attack lost everything. Some were ready to harvest, only for the pest to destroy the entire crop within three days,” he added.
Integrated pest management urged
Zuntu stressed that while the outbreak can’t be entirely prevented, farmers can limit its spread through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
“Even climate-resistant seeds are not spared by this pest. IPM is our best chance,” he said, calling on authorities to provide training and resources to help farmers adopt the strategy.
Bola Oyeleke, National President of the Tomatoes and Orchard Processors Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), added that although current supplies haven’t run dry, the threat is real for newly planted crops.
“If this continues unchecked, the next harvest season could be disastrous,” he warned.
He advocated for the use of modern farming technology and coordinated land preparation among smallholder farmers at the local government level.
With the spread of Tuta Absoluta accelerating, farmers are calling on the government and stakeholders to step in urgently with technical and financial support.
“This is beyond what we can manage alone,” one farmer pleaded. “If we don’t act now, tomato farming in Nigeria could be at serious risk.”
