The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria has suffered losses exceeding N1.3 billion following an outbreak of Tuta absoluta, a devastating pest widely known as the tomato leaf miner or “Tomato Ebola.” The outbreak, which has affected tomato farms in three major agricultural states—Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna—has triggered a sharp rise in tomato prices and intensified the nation’s food inflation crisis.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during a four-day capacity-building workshop for financial institutions. The event, jointly organized by HortiNigeria and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc, focused on strengthening financing structures for the horticulture sector.
Tomato Prices Triple Amid Devastating Pest Invasion
Kyari revealed that the infestation has caused the price of a 50kg basket of tomatoes to skyrocket from N5,000 to as much as N30,000. This price surge, he said, has had ripple effects across the food sector, further straining household budgets and exacerbating food inflation.
He described Tuta absoluta as an invasive species capable of wiping out entire tomato fields in under 48 hours, leading to catastrophic yield losses. The impact, he emphasized, underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s horticultural systems and the urgent need to fortify them.
“This crisis has shown us that we must act swiftly and decisively. The tomato leaf miner outbreak is not just an agricultural issue; it is a national emergency affecting food security, inflation, and livelihoods,” Kyari said.
A Wake-Up Call for Pest Management and Resilient Crop Investment
The minister stressed the urgent need for integrated pest management systems and investment in pest-resistant crop varieties. He also called for increased support for farmers and improved infrastructure to protect Nigeria’s food supply chain from similar threats in the future.
“Tomatoes and peppers are staples in nearly every Nigerian home. When their prices spike, it impacts meals across households, restaurants, and food vendors,” Kyari explained. Citing data from the 2024 National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he noted that tomatoes topped the food price index with a staggering 320 percent year-on-year increase, followed closely by peppers and other vegetables.
He warned that these rising costs hit low-income families the hardest, emphasizing the need for a more stable and resilient horticultural production system. He called for better post-harvest storage solutions and increased access to finance for players across the value chain.
Unlocking the Potential of Nigeria’s ‘Sleeping Giant’ Sector
Kyari described horticulture as the “sleeping giant” of Nigerian agriculture—a sector brimming with untapped potential for national development. He defined horticulture as the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, flowers, and ornamentals and argued that it is far more than a sub-sector.
According to him, horticulture holds the key to rural transformation, economic diversification, improved nutrition, and job creation. He noted that rising urbanization and growing awareness of healthy eating habits have spurred increased consumer demand for fresh produce.
“Despite the challenges, horticulture stands out as one of the most promising areas for agricultural transformation. Unlike staple crops, horticulture delivers higher returns per hectare, shorter production cycles, and multiple harvests annually—making it ideal for smallholder commercialization,” Kyari said.
A Catalyst for Job Creation, Climate Resilience, and Urban Nutrition
Kyari also highlighted the sector’s potential for high labor absorption, especially among women and youth, due to its year-round employment opportunities. Furthermore, he pointed out that horticulture strengthens the links between farming, food processing, packaging, retail, and exports.
Beyond economic benefits, the sector also contributes to climate resilience through controlled cultivation techniques and efficient irrigation systems. Additionally, urban consumers benefit from increased access to fresh produce through peri-urban farming models supported by integrated logistics networks.
“Horticulture represents a high-impact, high-return opportunity situated at the intersection of agriculture, health, industry, and trade,” Kyari said. He called on stakeholders to fully harness its potential to drive Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
Strategic Role in Food Security and Import Substitution
Kyari emphasized the role of horticulture in promoting food and nutrition security, especially through the production of nutrient-rich crops like tomatoes, pineapples, cucumbers, citrus fruits, and plantains.
“These crops not only meet massive domestic demand but are also becoming vital commercial commodities. They offer smallholder farmers the opportunity to diversify income and produce beyond traditional grain cycles,” he said.
On the health front, he noted that horticultural crops are rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, iron, zinc, and folate—critical for child development, maternal health, and the prevention of disease.
“Scaling up horticultural production is essential to ending all forms of malnutrition,” Kyari added, linking it to broader public health outcomes.
Financial Institutions Urged to Develop Tailored Lending Models
In his closing remarks, Kyari urged financial institutions to deepen their understanding of the horticulture value chain—from seed to market—and to move away from generic lending approaches.
He called for the creation of financial products specifically designed for the horticultural sector, recommending innovations such as seasonal credit lines, equipment leasing, invoice discounting, and trade financing to suit the unique requirements of horticultural entrepreneurs.
“To unlock the potential of horticulture, we need a financing system that mirrors its complexity. Banks and lenders must design fit-for-purpose instruments that truly empower the sector,” Kyari emphasized.
With pests like the tomato leaf miner threatening national food security, the minister’s message was clear: Nigeria must not only respond to immediate agricultural crises but also invest strategically in the long-term transformation of horticulture—both as a solution and a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
