The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria has lost over N1.3 billion to a devastating outbreak of Tuta absoluta, widely referred to as “Tomato Ebola”;, across Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna states.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during a four-day capacity-building workshop for financial institutions in Abuja, organized by HortiNigeria in partnership with NIRSAL Plc.
Kyari explained that the outbreak has significantly disrupted tomato supply chains, causing prices to skyrocket.
A 50kg basket of tomatoes, which used to sell for N5,000, now sells for N10,000 to N30,000, compounding food inflation and burdening Nigerian households.
He warned that the Tomato Ebola pest is extremely destructive, capable of wiping out entire crops within 48 hours, and emphasized the urgent need for integrated pest management, development of resilient tomato varieties, and increased support for affected farmers.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Kyari noted that tomatoes led food inflation with a 320% year-on-year price increase, followed by peppers and other vegetables.
He stressed that these spikes disproportionately affect low-income households and urged reforms in storage, production stability, and access to finance.
Describing horticulture as the “sleeping giant”; of Nigeria’s agriculture sector, Kyari said it offers tremendous potential for job creation, rural development, and nutrition.
He emphasized the need for structured financing, particularly tailored financial products for smallholder farmers.
He also highlighted horticulture’s role in food security, climate resilience, and economic diversification, citing high domestic demand for crops like tomatoes, pineapples, cucumbers, citrus, and plantains.
The minister urged financial institutions to invest in horticulture as a high-impact sector, vital for nourishing Nigerians and transforming the country’s food system.
