Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari has revealed that the recent surge in tomato prices is due to an infestation known as “Tomato Ebola” or Tomato Leaf Miner. This pest has significantly reduced the availability of tomatoes, causing prices to escalate.
Kyari made this announcement on Monday in a post on X.com, responding to a user’s complaint about the soaring cost of tomatoes. The user remarked that the prices felt as if consumers were being charged “per seed.”
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“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 explained.
The minister assured the public that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is actively addressing the issue. Plans include deploying agricultural experts to the affected areas to control and eliminate the infestation and providing farmers with the necessary resources and guidance to expedite crop recovery.
“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,” Kyari added.
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Earlier reports from PUNCH indicated that prices for essential food items such as rice, beans, maize, plantains, and tomatoes had surged by 25.34% to 40.01% as of March 2024, highlighting the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s food supply chain.