The National Tomato Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) has called on the federal government to take urgent action in reducing post-harvest losses in the tomato industry.
Speaking in Lagos, Rabiu Zuntu, NATPAN’s Kaduna chairman, emphasized that government support is crucial for providing equipment and infrastructure that could alleviate losses and boost value addition.
Key Points Raised by NATPAN:
- Equipment and Infrastructure Needs:
- Zuntu highlighted that most smallholder farmers cannot afford the loans required to purchase necessary equipment.
- He urged the government to assist by providing interventions tailored to their needs.
- Transportation Improvements:
- Transitioning to plastic crates for transporting tomatoes was identified as a major solution to reduce spoilage during transit.
- This step could significantly cut down losses during the long journeys from farms in the north to markets across Nigeria.
- Processing Partnerships:
- NATPAN has established collaborations with processing facilities to reduce gluts and increase farmers’ incomes through mechanized farming and processing solutions.
- Local tomato processing was described as a clean and effective way to add value to the produce.
- Addressing Seasonal Gluts:
- The recurring glut experienced between January and February could be mitigated through better processing and storage infrastructure, further stabilizing farmer incomes and market supply.
Zuntu concluded by stressing the urgency of government intervention to ensure the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s tomato sector and to maximize the potential of smallholder farmers.
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