Problems of Tomato Production in Nigeria…
Tomato production in Nigeria is plagued by certain problems that have led to low farm yield and poor crop output and that’s one reason why policymakers, academicians and agricultural experts are working earnestly toward tackling the Problems of Tomato Production In Nigeria.
In Nigeria, you will agree with me that tomatoes are among the most popular food crop in Nigeria, but surprisingly the rate of tomato consumption rate is more than its supply, due to certain limits to its growth.
it will shock you to know that Nigeria currently leads other countries in the importation of tomato pastes/tins and it was once even accorded the shameful title of the world’s biggest importer of tomato paste.
Even though a lot of tomato processing factories have sprung up in various parts of the country, access to raw tomatoes have been very difficult.
The poor harvest of tomatoes has always stunted any attempt by the government and private bodies to stimulate growth in the tomato market.
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What are the Hindrances of Good Tomatoes Production in Nigeria?
Some of the major Problems of Tomato Production In Nigeria that the government should find solutions to are:
1. The Expensiveness of Tomato Seedlings
A tomato farmer does not plant tomatoes directly in the field, tomatoes are under a complicated process of seed transplantation from the nursery.
The tomato seedlings, greenhouse production, nursery and fertilizer are highly exorbitant. It will surprise you to know that most tomato seedlings are even imported, and farmers can’t get them cheap or access them.
2. Poor Transport Facility
Another uphill task farmers have to go through is transportation. Farmers can no longer transport their produce because of the poor state of the Nigerian roads, and damages incurred have discouraged many farmers from planting tomatoes, leading to an increase in the price of the crop.
3. Poor Marketing Facilities
Middlemen have been profiteering from the shambolic structure of the tomato value chain. The tomato farm produce will not meet the needs of industries that may require them for production.
4. Government Inability to Check Qualities Tomato’s Crop
In other climes, the government put in place a reliable system to monitor the production of the quality of the produce. But in Nigeria, such does not exist and this slows down production significantly.
5. Poor Post-harvest Management
Agricultural production exists in a channel-like world, where the goods/produce travels to meet the final consumer.
A problem affecting tomato production is wastage due to lack of storage facilities, and difficult market terrain. This is responsible for the heavy loss incurred by farmers.
Tomato Production in Nigeria
Tomatoes are widely used in Nigeria for a variety of uses. Tomatoes are utilized as food as well as raw material for tomato processing plants, which is why tomatoes are grown in Nigeria.
Did you know that Nigeria is the world’s 14th largest tomato producer?
Nigeria is the world’s 14th largest tomato grower and ranks second on the African continent. Nigeria is second only to Egypt in terms of annual production, with about 1.8 million metric tonnes.
However, Nigeria has around 48 million tomato producers, accounting for approximately 65 percent of total West African tomato production.
Conversely, Nigeria imports the world’s largest amount of tomato paste
On the other hand, Nigeria imports the most tomato paste in the world. This country imports an average of 150, 000 metric tonnes of concentrate paste each year, valued at $170 million by some analysts.
However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has recently expressed worry over the N11.7 billion Nigeria paid to import over 65,809 metric tonnes of tomato paste.
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