Nigeria: Tomato farmers and GB Foods plead for federal government support

Tomato farmers call for FG intervention to curb post-harvest losses
Nigerian tomato farmers and processors are calling for increased government intervention to address the significant problem of post-harvest losses in the tomato sector. Mr Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the National Tomato Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) in Kaduna State, emphasized the crucial role of government support in providing farmers with the necessary equipment and facilities to minimize these losses and enhance value addition.  He highlighted the financial constraints faced by smallholder farmers, who often cannot afford the investments needed to reduce spoilage.

 One key solution identified is the widespread adoption of plastic crates for transporting tomatoes. Zuntu explained that these crates significantly reduce damage during transportation compared to traditional methods, especially when moving produce from northern regions to other parts of Nigeria. NATPAN is also actively pursuing partnerships to support smallholder farmers through mechanization. The association is collaborating with existing and new processing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and boost farmer incomes. Zuntu pointed to the introduction of tomato processing machines as a promising development that can mitigate the seasonal gluts that often lead to massive waste, particularly between January and February. He emphasized the value of local tomato processors for drying and adding value to tomatoes, which further increases farmer income and stimulates sector growth.

Another promising technology being explored is solar drying for tomato preservation. While effective, the high cost of solar dryers presents a barrier for many farmers. To overcome this, NATPAN is organizing farmers into clusters, enabling them to pool resources and collectively purchase these valuable tools. Zuntu reiterated the urgent need for government intervention to bolster these initiatives and ensure the long-term sustainability of the tomato sector.

GB Foods pleads for federal government support
The call for government support extends beyond individual farmers to larger processing companies. Vincent Egbe, Managing Director of GB Foods, urged the federal government to ensure the effective implementation of the National Tomato Policy (2022-2026). This policy aims to reduce post-harvest losses and decrease reliance on imported tomato paste by increasing import duties and applying additional taxes.  Egbe noted that despite Nigeria's status as the 13th largest tomato producer globally, the country still faces a significant supply deficit and needs to dramatically increase production to achieve self-sufficiency.  He acknowledged GB Foods' commitment to innovation and celebrating local tomato flavors but also pointed out the challenges facing the industry, including low production, inadequate infrastructure, weak market linkages, and limited access to finance.  He stressed the importance of addressing these issues, minimizing disruptions from regulatory bodies, providing incentives and fiscal support for local manufacturers, and investing in infrastructure.

GB Foods plans to establish Nigeria as a West African industrial hub by continuing to invest in tomato distribution, logistics, and processing capacity.  The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, acknowledged GB Foods' crucial role in the food industry and reassured the company and other local manufacturers of the government's continued support for locally made products.  He recognized the current economic challenges but emphasized the existing opportunities and the government's commitment to fostering growth in the sector.

Sources: nairametrics.com, nannews.ng