The Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN) has revealed that Nigeria may encounter tomato shortage this year due to government policies and other related factors.
This was exclusively disclosed by the TOGAN Kano state chairman, Alhaji Sani Danladi Yadakwari. According to him, the association has gotten firsthand information that the federal government has given approval for tomato importation to 9 companies with 10 per cent duty and 20 per cent levy only. He explained that this development had damped tomato farmers’ zeal to grow the crop as the development is seen by the association as a move that would discourage farmers from cultivating this season.
He said another issue was that of timing. He said tomato farmers had calculated that harvest would be during the election period and that with the trend going on, many tomato merchants would not dare to travel out of their domains. He added that tomato transporters had already begun to pack their vehicles at home till after election.
“It is unfortunate that the federal government, at this point in time, had decided to approve the importation of tomato paste into the country. To be candid, our members received this information with nostalgia and it has drained all our efforts in tomato production. Similarly, most of our members have decided not to grow tomato this year, and coupled with the election period, Nigeria may experience tomato shortage this year,” he said.
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He added that another unfortunate incident was that when tomato farmers were battling with the issue of storage, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced a change in the recovery processes, which would compound issues for farmers.