Nigeria’s tomato industry faces a severe crisis as the destructive pest known as Tuta Absoluta has ravaged farms across several northern states, causing immense losses to farmers and potentially leading to sharp increases in tomato prices nationwide.
The Tomato Farmers Association of Nigeria (TFA) estimates that over ₦2 billion has been lost due to this infestation, particularly affecting farmers in Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi states. Farmers describe heartbreaking scenarios of ruined crops, with some losing their entire investments as the pest wreaks havoc. “It’s devastating,” said a farmer from Kano, “I walked into my farm only to find that within three days, the worms had destroyed everything.”
Experts believe that the current hot weather exacerbates the spread of the pest, making it even harder to manage. The Tuta Absoluta pest, known for its resistance to traditional treatments, has left farmers scrambling for solutions. As a result, tomato scarcity has already begun in markets, with prices rising steeply. A basket of tomatoes that cost ₦15,000 to ₦20,000 last month now sells for ₦30,000 to ₦40,000, and traders predict that prices may soar even higher in the coming weeks.
The TFA is calling on the government to step in urgently with measures to assist farmers, including subsidized treatments and educational campaigns to manage the pest effectively. Without swift action, the ripple effects on Nigeria’s food supply and economy could be substantial.
This crisis serves as a wake-up call for better pest control measures and proactive agricultural policies to safeguard one of the country’s staple crops. Farmers, traders, and consumers alike are bracing for the challenging months ahead.
