Tomato farmers in Kazaure, Jigawa State have called for the establishment of a tomato processing plant to boost production and reduce post-harvest losses in the area.
The farmers also identified rising production costs, pests and diseases, unstable market prices and inadequate storage facilities as major challenges affecting tomato farming.
They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kazaure.
A farmer, Mr Auwalu Dahiru, described tomato farming as a promising agricultural venture with strong potential to improve livelihoods if supported with appropriate policies and infrastructure.
He said growing demand for fresh tomatoes and processed tomato products presents opportunities for farmers to expand production.
Dahiru noted that improved access to irrigation facilities, affordable farm inputs, soft loans and better rural road networks would encourage more farmers, particularly youths, to engage in tomato cultivation.
He also stressed the need for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques to increase productivity and profitability.
Another farmer, Dayyabu Iliyasu, said tomato farming remains lucrative due to steady year-round demand despite the challenges faced by producers.
He explained that many farmers continue to invest in tomato production because it provides relatively quick returns.
However, he said the rising cost of fertilisers, improved seedlings, agrochemicals and labour has significantly increased production expenses.
“Tomato farming is rewarding when the harvest is good, but the cost of cultivation remains a major concern,” he said.
Another farmer, Idi Mamman, identified pests and diseases as one of the biggest threats to tomato production in the area.
He said infestations often reduce yields and force farmers to spend more on pesticides and other control measures.
Mamman called for stronger agricultural extension support to help farmers adopt improved pest management practices.
Also speaking, Sale Bello highlighted price instability as a major constraint affecting tomato farmers.
He said bumper harvests often lead to sharp price drops, making it difficult for farmers to recover production costs.
Bello noted that the absence of adequate storage and processing facilities contributes significantly to post-harvest losses during peak production seasons.
He urged both government and private investors to establish tomato processing industries to reduce wastage, stabilise prices and create a reliable market for farmers.
Source: NAN
