Gbenga Adamolekun
Kano: The Kano State Tomato Growers, Processors and Marketers Association urges the government to set up tomato processing industries to reduce post-harvest losses and boost production.
Chairman of the association, Sani Danladi-Yadakwari, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday.
Danladi-Yadakwari also urged the government to make farm inputs more affordable for farmers.
He said the call had become imperative because the lack of tomato processing companies and reliable off-takers remained one of the biggest challenges facing farmers in the state.
“So many farmers are often forced to transport their produce outside Kano, and sometimes outside the country, in search of buyers.
“Our major challenge is market access. We do not have enough processing companies to absorb our produce locally, and this seriously affects farmers.
He reiterated that the association’s main request is for the government and private investors to support and establish tomato processing industries, ensuring that farmers have dependable markets for their produce.
According to him, rising production costs, especially for fertilisers, seeds, and irrigation inputs, have forced many farmers to reduce cultivation or switch to other crops.
He pointed out that fertiliser now costs about N55,000 per bag, making tomato farming increasingly difficult for smallholder farmers.
Danladi-Yadakwari added that transportation costs had worsened the situation, noting that moving tomatoes from Kano to Lagos could cost as much as N1 million per truck due to high fuel prices.
He said post-harvest losses remained a concern. Losses previously reached about 30%, but have now reduced to between 5% and 10% due to lower production volumes.
He added that farmers urgently needed subsidised inputs and access to tractors, irrigation facilities, and credit to boost production.
He called for sustainable, accessible support programmes to strengthen local production.
