The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has attributed the current tomato scarcity in parts of Nigeria to a severe infestation known as “Tomato Ebola” or Tomato Leaf Miner.
This pest has significantly affected tomato farms, causing a sharp rise in prices as many households turn to tomato pastes and other substitutes.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Kyari assured the public that the Federal Government is actively addressing the issue.
He stated, “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.”
Kyari further explained that the ministry is taking immediate action to combat the infestation. “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.”
He acknowledged the impact on daily life and reassured the public that efforts are underway to restore the supply of affordable tomatoes.
“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.”
In related news, Kyari highlighted that an estimated ₦309 billion was injected into the Nigerian economy through harvests in the last year, a move aimed at bolstering food security.
This announcement was made during an update on the ministry’s achievements at the ongoing 3rd ministerial sectoral update, part of the activities marking the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.
