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Nigerians groan over high tomato prices as one big basket costs N100,000
Nigeria. As food prices remain unabated, tomato scarcity and high high prices have hit Nigerians below the belt, therefore compounding their woes and made them groan.
A civil servant in Abuja, simply called Bolanle said following preparation for her daughter’s marriage ceremony, she bought a big basket of tomato in one of the markets in Abuja at N90,000, while the price in Delta State for the same basket goes for N100,000.
Recently tomato farmers made huge losses following invasion of caterpillar insects invasion on large tomato farms in Kano State, which farmers were adversely devastated.
The Chairman, M.K. Kura Farms, Butalawa, Kura Local Government Area, Kano State, Mukhtar Kura, disclosed in a chat with Vanguard that tomato farmers are reeling in pain over the unexpected invasion of the insects.
According to Kura, the farmers had similar experience in 2023 at the same time and made a loss of N1.5 billion, and the insects did the damage within 24 hours in two Local Government Areas of Kano State, which are Bagwai and Dawakin Tofa.
On the current high prices of tomato in the market, he said, “Most of the farmers have cultivated their tomatoes, and are planning on planting something different.”
Meanwhile, in a chat with Elanzanews, a tomato production expert and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, EA Daniels Farm, Sapele, Delta State, Engr Daniel Ijeh, said there are strategies that would serve as intervention to address the high cost of tomatoes in Nigeria.
According to Ijeh, the root cause of high prices of tomato is traceable to a significant reduction in tomatoes yields.
He said: “In recent months, our nation has experienced an unprecedented shortage in the supply of tomatoes, a staple in our daily diet.
“This shortage has led to a dramatic and unbearable increase in prices, straining household budgets and impacting various sectors of our economy from small eateries to restaurants.
The root cause of this crisis is a significant reduction in tomatoes yields, even zero yield in many instances, attributed to a severe heat wave that struck the country from January to April this year.”
He further explained that, “The impact of the heat wave on tomato yield is devastating to many farmers across the country. The heat wave, with temperatures and humidity soaring beyond the optimal range for tomato cultivation, has wrecked havoc many farms.
“Tomatoes, known for their sensitivity to high temperatures, suffered extensively during this period. The excessive heat caused poor establishment and development, flower drop, poor fruit set, reduce immunity to disease, and in many cases, complete crop failure.
Farmers across the country faced the devastating reality of low to zero yield, unable to recover their investments and meet the market demand.
“The immediate economic impact of this shortage has been felt nationwide. Retail prices of tomatoes have skyrocketed, making them unaffordable for many families, even when the worse is yet to come.
This inflationary pressure is not confined to households alone; it extends to restaurants and small eateries. The trickle down effect has further exacerbated the economic strain on our already vulnerable economy.”
However, some of the strategies as relief and solution to the high prices of tomato, he (Ijeh) said include; Facilitation of importation: To alleviate the immediate shortage, the government should consider facilitating the importation of tomatoes from other countries. Ensuring a smooth and fair distribution process can help stabilize prices and make tomatoes more accessible to the general public.
Subsidies and Support for Farmers: Providing financial aid and subsidies to affected farmers can help them recover from their losses and prepare for the next planting season. This support could include low-interest loans and introduction of heat-resistant tomato varieties.
“Long-term solutions for resilience are: Climate-resilient agriculture; Improved agricultural practices: This is already spreading in the south; and early warning systems and weather forecasting.”
He also called on the Government and stakeholders to urgently put in place a comprehensive strategy to address the vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector to climate change.
By implementing immediate relief measures and investing in long-term resilience, we can not only recover from the current shortage but also build a more robust and sustainable agricultural system.
“It is imperative for the government, private sector, and civil society to work together to ensure that such crises are averted in the future, safeguarding the livelihoods of our farmers and the well-being of our nation.
“By addressing the tomato shortage through both immediate and long-term strategies, we can mitigate the current crisis and build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding future climate challenges. This is called climate proof agriculture”, he stated.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.