Institute to tackle 40,000 tonnes annual tomato glut

The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, said it has taken steps to establish tomato processing plants across Northern Nigeria in order to address glut. Acting Director of the institute, Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu, who disclosed this, said the initiative would make farmers to have additional income of N4.7 billion annually. “About 40,000 […]

The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, said it has taken steps to establish tomato processing plants across Northern Nigeria in order to address glut.

Acting Director of the institute, Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu, who disclosed this, said the initiative would make farmers to have additional income of N4.7 billion annually.

“About 40,000 tonnes of tomato are being lost annually due to lack of processing technology. A 30 kilogramme basket now goes for about N3,500 and 1,000 kilogramme is one ton, therefore 40,000 tones will cost about N4.7 billion and this is lost annually,” Professor Yakubu said.

He added; “What we want to do in NARICT is to help government site many small tomato processing plants in Northern Nigeria, because we lack processing technology. Those who processed tomato in Nigeria; they have to import tomato concentrates from China, Vietnam, India and other countries who produce tomato at high volume.

“This idea would allow us to mop-up excess tomato available at peak period and convert them into concentrates. We are partnering with Erickson. Therefore, instead of carrying raw tomato from Northern to Southern part of this country, usually at a loss, these small processing plants across Northern Nigeria will now convert everything into concentrates just like what we used to import. This is more profitable to our farmers.”

Yakubu also said NARICT was embarking on the initiative because part of its mandate is to conduct research that would enhance technological development in Nigeria.