The Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria has attributed the current increase in fruit costs on ‘Tuta absoluta,’ or Sharon pest infestations on local farms throughout the country. Mr Rabiu Zuntu, the association’s Kaduna State chairman, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.
According to NAN, ‘Tuta absoluta,’ also known as Tomato Leaf Miner, is a moth species from the Gelechiida pest family. It is a significant pest that infects tomatoes in Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and South and Central America, with larvae causing up to 100% loss if not treated properly ( tomato growers).
Zuntu stated that the increase in tomato prices was due to a lack of supply caused by the destruction of numerous farms by the Tuta absoluta insect. “This has caused demand for tomatoes to exceed supply, resulting in a price increase. “We currently have low yields on our farms.
” As a result of the scorching weather in the north, these insects have devastated numerous tomato farms. “Tomato farms across Kaduna and Katsina (the highest producers of tomatoes) have been razed by these insects,” claimed the chairman. Zuntu urged the government to help farmers avoid the infestation by offering timely measures (tomato growers).
“The pests typically attack tomato farms in April/May and during the warmer season. This is when the tomatoes are ready for harvesting. High temperatures attract these insects. “To combat this infestation, we received some assistance from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, but it came too late because most farmers had already lost their crops.”
“If the interventions and chemicals came earlier, we would have been able to prevent the current situation,” he stated. He claimed that if several tomato-producing states in North and Central Nigeria had received the pesticides sooner, there would not have been a price increase.
Tomato growers
“Another reason for this walk is the unusually hot weather we are seeing this season. “Next year, we will do everything we can to avoid this outbreak. “A 50-kg basket of tomatoes currently sells up North for N80,000, while a 25-kg crate sells for N40,000 to N50,000, depending on the size,” he stated. According to NAN, a 25-kg basket of tomatoes sold for N14,000 per crate two weeks ago, while a 50-kg basket cost between N28,000 and N30,000. (NAN)
Source: vaguardngr.com
