By Ntiedo Ekott

The country faces an alarming shortage of tomatoes, a staple ingredient in many households. This scarcity has led to skyrocketing prices and widespread concern among consumers and farmers alike, with everyone enquiring about the root cause of this year’s tomato scarcity in the market.

According to a recent market survey on tomato prices, a basket of tomatoes in Wuse Market, Abuja, which was sold for N40,000 earlier this year, now sells for N120,000. Additionally, a four-litre bucket of tomatoes sold for between N2,000 and N3,500 now sells for N10,000.

In Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital City, a basket of tomatoes that was N6,000 now sells for N40,000, and a small plate of tomatoes that was N500 now sells for N2,000.

At Eleme market in Port Harcourt, a crate of tomatoes sold for N30,000 now goes for N70,000, and the one that was N35,000 now moves up to N80,000.

The recent food production checks by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) revealed that climate change, economic challenges, pest infestations, and insecurity are the core causes of this crisis.

Climate change

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in our daily lives, and agriculture is one of the most vulnerable sectors. This year, erratic weather patterns and rising temperatures have significantly impacted tomato production. This extreme weather has disrupted tomato plants’ growth cycles, leading to poor yields and crop failures.

According to Sani Danladi, the National Secretary of the Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria, the excessive temperature we experienced early this year has affected tomato production in the country.

“The issue of climate change has significantly impacted crop production due to excessive temperatures, resulting in poor growth for most crops. If you check well, you will recall that extreme heat has persisted since February, starting from the beginning of the season. Consequently, many crops have died off, leading to the current scarcity,” Mr Danladi said.

Climate change has affected the quantity and quality of tomatoes, with many fruits failing to develop properly due to heat stress. As the planet continues to warm, these adverse effects on agriculture are expected to become more frequent and severe, posing a long-term threat to food security.

Economic Downturn: Fuel Subsidy Removal and Exchange Rate Fluctuations

The removal of the fuel subsidy and fluctuations in the exchange rate have further compounded the challenges tomato farmers face. Tinubu’s administration’s elimination of the fuel subsidy has led to higher transportation and production costs, directly impacting the affordability of farming inputs.

The Nigerian government has subsidised fuel for many years, helping citizens afford petroleum products at a low price, especially given the country’s unreliable power supply.

However, the government later stated that the continuous fuel subsidy payment hindered its ability to fund other developmental projects in the country. In 2023, the government finally discontinued the subsidy, leading to an increase in the prices of goods across the country.

Mr Danladi confirmed that the current difficult economy plays a major role in the scarcity. He said, “The economic downturn caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy and changes in foreign exchange rates has made it difficult for many farmers to sustain production.

Additionally, the volatile exchange rate has made importing necessary agricultural supplies, including fertilisers and pesticides, more expensive.

For instance, the cost of fertiliser has doubled. I bought fertiliser last year for N20,000, now it is N41,000. Many farmers could not cope with the situation during the planting season, resulting in lower productivity this period,” Mr Danladi confirmed.

Pest Infestation: The Tuta Absoluta Menace

Adding to the woes of tomato farmers is the infestation of the Tuta Absoluta pest, popularly known as Tomato Ebola. This destructive insect has been ravaging tomato fields across the country, consuming and destroying crops.

Farmers also confirmed that even the tomatoes that survived the harsh weather conditions have fallen victim to this pest. The result has been a significant loss of produce, further worsening the scarcity. Farmers struggle to combat this pest, which has proven resilient to many conventional control methods.

Insecurity: A Growing Threat to Food Security

Insecurity in many farming regions has also played a significant role in the scarcity of tomatoes. Farmers in conflict-prone areas often cannot tend to their fields regularly or safely transport their produce to markets. This disruption in farming activities and supply chains has reduced agricultural output and increased difficulty in getting the available produce to consumers.

Another farmer and agricultural expert, Bunmi Ibitoye, said that insecurity in the country has played a major role in the current food crisis.

“Insecurity has plagued the southern farming areas, leaving our people with no other option but to leave the farms,” Mr Ibitoye said.

“When your farm is invaded, and you act, the law of the land sees you as the culprit and the offender as the victim,” he added.

However, the fear of attacks and kidnappings has deterred many farmers from fully engaging in their agricultural activities, further diminishing productivity.

Mr Ibitoye also confirmed that the rise in transportation as a result of an increase is one of the causes of the country’s food crisis.

Government’s Confirmation

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, acknowledged in his X handle that there is a severe Tomato Ebola infestation that has reduced tomato availability and increased costs but assured that the ministry is deploying experts and resources to combat this issue and support farmers in recovering their crops.

“A significant number of our tomato farms have been affected by a severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner. This has drastically reduced the availability of tomatoes and contributed to rising costs.

“Our ministry is taking immediate action to combat this issue. We are deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to contain and eliminate the infestation. Additionally, we are supporting our farmers with the necessary resources and guidance to recover their crops as quickly as possible, just as we instituted the Ginger Blight Control Taskforce.

“We understand the impact this has on your daily lives and are working tirelessly to resolve the situation and restore the supply of affordable tomatoes. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” the Minister said.

Recommendations

To combat this tomato scarcity, these are the recommendations to be considered;

1.  There is a need for the development and promotion of agricultural practices and technologies that can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions

2.  There should be financial assistance and favourable economic policies to reduce the cost burden on farmers. This includes subsidies for agricultural inputs, a stable exchange rate, and affordable financing options (loans with low interest rates)

3.  Effective strategies to control crop pests like Tuta Absoluta and others must be developed and disseminated. This will enhance crop health and lead to higher productivity.

4.  The government should enhance security in farming regions and improve agricultural infrastructure to support farmers

5.  Farmers must have reliable access to markets and support in finding buyers for their produce. These include cooperatives and associations, partnerships and market information systems.