The states are Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau and Lagos.
Advertisement
The minister said: “The pest can also attack even pepper and Irish potato”.
“The ministry is now working with Nigerian representatives of Ruselle Group, United Kingdom, Agronet, who are experts in the Tuta Absoluta containment programme in the country, to present containment packs to farmers in the shortest possible time to enable them to resume production”.
Tomato prices have shot up as a result of the moth Tuta absoluta, adding to existing hardships from a 67 percent rise in the price of petrol and spiralling inflation in Africa’s largest economy.
“The experts we called in are yet to give us a figure on cost of treatment, but it is likely to be N5 per tomato plant, it could however cost more or less”.
A $200-million tomato processing factory built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has been forced to shut down because of the shortfall in supply, managing director Abdulkareem Kaita said.
“In the next few days, we will start treating affected sites, so as to stop the infestation and tomatoes can once again become available in the country”, he said.
He said the experts had also offered a variety of tomato, which guarantees high yields under high rainfall, pointing out that the variety had been tested in some parts of the South-West.
Tuta absoluta, which originated in South America and spread to Europe and Africa, quickly develops resistance to pesticides, making it hard to contain.
It came into the country from Niger Republic and manifests a powerful infestation that could make it impossible for the country to grow tomatoes, if not dealt with.
The price of a basket of tomatoes has increased from $1.20 less than three months ago to more than $40 today. “We are bringing the commissioners and governors of states to jointly attack this pest, which, if not dealt with, will create serious problems for food security in our country”. “It is a serious issue and we have had to declare a state of emergency on the commodity”.
Specifically, the governor declared a state of emergency in tomato production in the state, saying all hands must be on deck to combat various pests and diseases ravaging tomato.
Advertisement
According to the Agric. commissioner, survey is ongoing, as over 200 farmers have been identified in three local government areas of the state with loses to the tune of N1billion.
