A consortium of stakeholders in the agric sector has evolved a framework for the stabilisation of tomato prices in Nigeria, as part of efforts to address market uncertainties and high post-harvest losses.
Nigeria’s tomato production which stands at 1.5 million metric tonnes, records post-harvest losses and wastage of 40 per cent, valued at N72 billion annually, between farm and market. The losses imply that Nigeria only has 800,000 metric tonnes of tomato out of a 2.2 million metric tonne demand, at least according to data contained in the Agriculture Promotion Policy for 2016 to 2020.
Strategies to address the tomato value chain were discussed during a price stabilisation forum by the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government and with the support of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) through the MIRA Nigeria Project and Pyxera Global YieldWise Project.
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A communiqué signed by Emmanuel Ijewere, vice president of NABG, noted that Objectives of the forum were to moderate a conversation between all stakeholders in the tomato value chain – to stabilize tomato farm gate price; to equip stakeholders with recent data, research discoveries by several international and local interventions within the tomato value chain; and to create a balance in production to meet the current and future demands of both processors and fresh market supply chain.
It also aimed to agree on sustainable solutions to prevent the trend of gluts in tomato supply during main season production – (November to March) and, resolve factors militating against the regular supply of tomatoes during the off-season – (April- September); identify key recommendations and, related actions required to strengthen strategies for ensuring sustainable impacts to farmers, processors and other value chain actors; and to identify an average and acceptable production cost per hectare of tomato at the farm.
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During deliberations, Sani Danladi Yadakwari, national secretary of Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN) reflected that high cost of input, high level of input adulteration, climate change, post-harvest loss and, low-quality seed varieties need to be fixed to achieve balanced tomato pricing. According to him, only 1 per cent of tomato farmers in Nigeria use high breed seedlings for production, leaving the remaining 99percent in adverse poverty. The National Secretary of TOGAN pleaded for support through advocacy and sensitization programs to further educate its members on benefits of high breed seeds.
Stakeholders at the forum unanimously agreed that price stabilization is not the imposition of price rather it is a process aimed at fixing the different value chain that ultimately influences the price of tomato in the country and ensures farmers get a fair return for their efforts. Recommendations at the end of the forum included the formation of a national stakeholder committee for the governance, promotion and regulation of the tomato sector in Nigeria. Aggressive promotion of plastic crates as generally accepted mode of fresh tomato handling and transportation through an efficient crate rental system. An increase in linkage with relevant research institutes for a more pro-active crisis and disaster management, an agreement between sellers and buyers for seasonal price benchmarks, and facilitating increased commitment from tomato producing and consuming state governments to support the growth and development of the sector.
CALEB OJEWALE
