Farmers explain ways to increase tomato availability

The recent surge in tomato and pepper prices in Nigeria has left many stunned. Despite being one of the largest producers of the vegetables due to favourable weather and soil conditions in the country, millions of Nigerians can no longer afford them. Prices of the items have skyrocketed beyond the reach of citizens, a situation […]

The recent surge in tomato and pepper prices in Nigeria has left many stunned. Despite being one of the largest producers of the vegetables due to favourable weather and soil conditions in the country, millions of Nigerians can no longer afford them.

Prices of the items have skyrocketed beyond the reach of citizens, a situation that is affecting not only people in the producing areas, but also consumers in other parts of the country who rely on them for supply.

As consumers struggle to afford these staple food condiments, traders and restaurateurs who rely on them are also feeling the pinch.

Restaurants and food vendors are finding it challenging to maintain their menus, forcing consumers to seek alternative means. Some have even resorted to cooking without tomatoes.

• 5 things to learn about turkey farms
• How Ginger blight, seeds’ scarcity pushed Kaduna farmers to other crops

Stakeholders at the Farin Gada market, a prominent perishable market in Jos, the Plateau State capital, expressed concern that the high cost of goods and services had increased significantly with the prices of tomatoes, pepper and other perishable items being particularly excessive. According to them, the development is the first of its kinds in the past decades.

Weekend Trust gathered that a large basket of one of the vegetables dropped from N80,000 and N100,000 to N65,000, while the smallest basket is N26,000. A normal bag of pepper, which was previously sold at N16,000, now costs N60,000. Tomato sellers said the price difference was significant, indicating a substantial increase. This drastic price hike is a clear indication of the severe shortage of these essential commodities in the country, leading to a huge supply gap.  

Weekend Trust reports that the surge in prices of the items can be attributed to a severe supply shortage in the market, triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy. The decision has a cascading effect on the entire agricultural value chain, disproportionately affecting farmers who are struggling with increased costs. Consequently, consumers are bearing the brunt.

 

Factors

Farmers are severely impacted as they rely on fuel to irrigate their farms, transport crops to markets and purchase essential inputs at inflated prices. To break even, farmers are forced to increase the prices of their produce as they cannot afford to operate at a loss. The increased cost of diesel, in particular, has also affected farmers who rely on it to power their irrigation systems, tractors and other machinery.

According to some farmers, climate change is another significant factor contributing to the problem, especially in the producing areas. They explained that rains usually start in March or April, but this year, it was scarce.

The dry spell led to an infestation of insects and worms that destroyed entire tomato crops. These insects thrive in the absence of rain. Farmers often neglect best agricultural practices, especially when it involves expensive inputs.

 When farmers see their tomatoes being uprooted, they feel frustrated and often abandon their farms. This year, insect infestation happened suddenly, and before farmers knew it, their entire tomato crop was gone.

 

How to increase tomato availability  

John Chindap Wuyep, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Plateau, explained how the scarcity of tomatoes could be brought to an end in the country.

He said, “The truth is that our research institutes need to take the lead in finding a cure for the diseases affecting our crops, particularly the ‘tuta absoluta’ that has been devastating tomato farms. Despite efforts, a solution is yet to be found, and this has been a major factor in the current crisis.

“Some farmers had attempted to plant tomatoes early, hoping to harvest during the rainy season. However, the unexpected dry spell hit and their crops withered and died. This highlights the urgent need for research institutes to develop effective solutions to combat these diseases.

 “Furthermore, the government must take responsibility for providing irrigation facilities to support farmers during dry spells. This would enable farmers to continue farming, even when rainfall is scarce. It is unacceptable that farmers are left to suffer losses due to circumstances beyond their control.

“The high cost of farming inputs is another significant challenge facing farmers. Most of these inputs are imported from other countries and are prohibitively expensive for the average farmer. This makes it difficult for farmers to maintain sustainable farming practices, leaving them vulnerable to diseases and environmental stresses.

 “However, with the recent rains, there is hope for a new beginning. Farmers have started planting again and it is essential that we support them in their efforts. We must not let the current challenges discourage us but instead work together to find solutions.

“Like I said, research institutes, government agencies and farmers must collaborate to address these issues. By working together, we can develop effective solutions to combat diseases, improve irrigation systems, and make farming inputs more affordable.”  

Nasir Sani, a stakeholder in tomato market in Jos, said that for the prices to go down, government must reverse petrol subsidy removal.

He said, “For the price of tomatoes to decrease, fuel subsidy must return. The government must reconsider its decision and reintroduce fuel subsidy to support farmers. This will help reduce the cost of farm inputs and increase supply, ultimately leading to a decrease in price.

“Additionally, government must invest in irrigation infrastructure and mechanisation to reduce farmers’ reliance on diesel and other expensive inputs. This will help reduce the cost of production and make farming more sustainable.

“In the short term, the government can consider implementing measures to cushion the effects of the price hike. These include providing support to farmers through soft loans and grants, reducing taxes on agricultural inputs, and increasing the supply of tomatoes and peppers through imports or other means.

“Categorically, the hike in tomato and pepper prices is a crisis born out of subsidy removal. This emphasises the need for the government to rethink its decision and take proactive steps to support farmers and reduce the burden on consumers.”