Lots of tomatoes but no storage facility, Kaduna traders lament

For many decades, farmers and traders engaged in the cultivation and sale of tomatoes have been suffering huge losses due to lack of processing plants. The loss happens mostly during the dry season, usually regarded as its season. Checks by our correspondent at the popular Bakin Dogo tomato market, near the Kaduna Central Market, revealed […]

For many decades, farmers and traders engaged in the cultivation and sale of tomatoes have been suffering huge losses due to lack of processing plants.
The loss happens mostly during the dry season, usually regarded as its season.
Checks by our correspondent at the popular Bakin Dogo tomato market, near the Kaduna Central Market, revealed that during the season, a large basket of tomatoes sells for as low as N800 but during the rainy season, the same basket goes for as high as N2,000.
The chairman of the Tomato Sellers Association, Kaduna State chapter, Hussaini Ibrahim, lamented that every year, tomato traders incurred losses running into millions of naira.
He added: “Loss is not a new thing in this market because every year, our members lose a lot of money, but what can we do, we just pick up the pieces and go on with life. I am made to understand that in life you lose some and you gain some.
“Tomato production is seasonal, sometimes there is too much of it and other times too little. Unfortunately, here in Kaduna State we do not have a processing plant where we can take our produce  for processing which will in turn reduce the losses incurred by traders in this line of business,” he said.
He called on the state government to, as a matter of priority, look into the issue.
Ibrahim said: “If government establishes tomato processing plant just like what Dangote has done, it will meet its target of becoming a net exporter of tomato paste because apart from the homes, there are other industries that need the paste, but unfortunately, many industries that need tomato paste are importing from China, Italy and the USA.
He lamented that last month alone, many tomato sellers lost goods worth millions of naira and called on the government to take appropriate steps to salvage the situation.
Helen Odaka, an indigene of Benue State has been into the tomato business in Kaduna for the past 30 years and, according to her, she will not be deterred by the losses she has incurred over the years in the business but prayed that the present administration would look into their plight.
She said: “Within a month, I lost N500,000 because I bought a lot of tomatoes at the rate of N600 for the big basket but unfortunately, I did not have a good market so the whole merchandise got rotten. But as you can see, I am in the market again to buy N100,000 worth of tomatoes. I cannot stop because that is the only means of livelihood I have.’’
On his part, Salisu Abdullahi, who said he was born into the business, lamented the way tomato sellers have been neglected.
 “My father was a tomato seller here in this market even before I was born and it is with the proceeds of his business that he took care of us, so you can see why I said I was born into the business,’’ he said.
He noted that because of the losses involved, many farmers and sellers were looking for other alternatives, saying “that may lead to scarcity of the commodity and Nigeria will be forced to import the product.”
Auwal Musa said over 10,000 youths are gainfully engaged in the market through selling tomatoes.
“If you come to the market in the early hours of the morning, you will see a large number of youth that are either selling or carrying purchases for the traders and other customers.
“This market should be upgraded because it is helping the state in curbing youth restiveness by keeping them engaged. The business is a good one, but it needs government attention,” he said.