The Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has attributed the scarcity and soaring prices of tomatoes in Nigeria to a severe crop infestation. Speaking on Monday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Kyari identified the infestation as “Tomato Ebola” or “Tomato Leaf Miner.”
According to a market survey by Nairametrics, the price of a basket of tomatoes has reached as high as N150,000 in some parts of the country. This drastic increase has prompted the Federal Government to take immediate action.
Kyari explained, “Many of our tomato farms have been affected by a severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner. This has drastically reduced the availability of tomatoes and contributed to rising costs.”
In response, the government has dispatched agricultural experts to the affected regions to combat the infestation and assist farmers. “Our ministry is taking immediate action to combat this issue. We are deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to contain and eliminate the infestation. Additionally, we are supporting our farmers with the necessary resources and guidance to recover their crops as quickly as possible, similar to the Ginger Blight Control Taskforce,” he added.
Kyari assured the public that efforts are underway to restore the supply of affordable tomatoes. “We understand the impact this has on your daily lives and are working tirelessly to resolve the situation and restore the supply of affordable tomatoes,” he stated.
Background
On Sunday, Nairametrics reported that the price of tomatoes had skyrocketed in markets across Lagos, Abuja, and other areas, with prices reaching N140,000 to N150,000 per basket. Traders attributed this spike to regular seasonal fluctuations and the end of the harvest period for the current tomato species amid the wet season.
Key Points
- Significant Price Increase: According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) April Food Price Watch report, tomato prices have increased by 131.58% from April 2023 to April 2024. Additionally, between March and April 2024, the price of 1kg of tomatoes rose by 17.06%.
- Impact on Household Costs: The SBM Intelligence Jollof Rice Index shows that the cost of preparing a standard serving of Jollof rice increased from N13,106 in October 2023 to N17,000 in March 2024, reflecting the rising cost of essential ingredients, including tomatoes.
The government’s intervention aims to address the immediate crisis and provide long-term solutions to prevent future infestations and price hikes.
