Poor pest control ability
In 2022, Nigeria became the eighth largest tomato producing country in the world with production reaching 3.6 million tonnes. The main producing states include Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina and Plateau due to their temperature and well-drained soils. However, local tomato supplies are largely supplemented by tomato paste imports due to wastage and post-harvest losses. Tomato yields in Nigeria are also susceptible to seasonal fluctuations, with yields increasing during the rainy season but decreasing during the dry season. However, even during the busy season, factors such as higher night temperatures and increased spread of disease can also cause reduced fruit set.
However, there is a deeper cause behind the soaring tomato prices in 2024. In an update on X, the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said tomato consumers across Nigeria are feeling the sting of the notorious pest known as Tomato Ebola. The tomato Ebola epidemic is not a new enemy, as it has been prevalent for years and has wreaked havoc on Nigeria’s tomato yields. Despite the recurrent nature of this problem, effective solutions to prevent and limit its effects remain elusive.
Tomato Ebola, also known as tuta absoluta or tomato leafminer, is an insect that attacks various parts of tomato plants, including the stem, buds, and fruit. The larvae tunnel and damage the plants, reducing tomato quality and overall yield. This pest breeds in warm climates and can quickly develop resistance to pesticides, making it a persistent and difficult problem for tomato farmers.
In 2016, Nigeria’s tomato industry was hit hard for the first time by this major threat, with tomato yields across the country falling by a devastating 80 percent and prices increasing by 400 percent within three months, with wholesale prices also rising. . A basket of tomatoes increases from ₦1,500 to ₦42,000. This pest has been attacking tomato farms in Nigeria for many years, causing continued damage to the tomato industry. In 2023, the return of this pest caused tomato prices to increase by 363 percent in just four months. In May 2023, the price of a basket of tomatoes at the day-day market in the Federal Capital Territory increased from ₦15,000 to ₦30,000 to ₦32,000. Similarly, in Enugu State, prices rose from ₦36,000-45,000 in April to ₦55,000-60,000 in May. This resulted in severe crop losses amid inadequate government response, resulting in losses estimated at ₦1.3 billion.
Given the recurrent nature of this pest, it is puzzling that no definitive solution has yet been introduced. Given the highly privatized nature of Nigeria’s agricultural industry, it would be difficult to pin the blame solely on the government. Smallholder farmers, the sector’s main suppliers, produce up to 80 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural output and are responsible for a significant portion of the country’s food supply. However, given the recurrent nature of this infestation, increased funding for agricultural research to develop more resistant tomato varieties, stronger pest control efforts, and easier access to affordable pesticides are needed. We cannot rule out the fact that more proactive measures should have been taken by the government, such as education, training, etc. A program for farmers on best practices to prevent and manage such outbreaks.
Given the current economic tensions, one can't help but wonder why this could not have been prevented.
Trouble in the field
Insecurity has long cast a shadow over Nigeria’s agricultural sector, wreaking havoc on food production and prices. One of the main causes of this insecurity is the frequent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. As pastoralists seek pasture for their cattle, these animals often invade farmland and devour crops for human consumption. These incidents result in huge losses for farmers, who see months of hard work undone overnight. The consequences are not only economic, but also violent, with many farmers sadly losing their lives and others understandably abandoning their profession.
Following growing calls to ban free grazing, Nigerian lawmakers took up the issue in parliament. Thus, the 2024 bill proposed by Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West, to ban open grazing and establish designated grazing areas, passed second reading. If enacted, the law could mark a turning point in addressing the long-standing problem of farm invasions. Supporters of the bill believe that by creating designated areas for grazing, the government can alleviate destructive conflicts and promote more harmonious coexistence between farmers and herders. Lawmakers in Benue and Taraba states who successfully enacted anti-grazing laws say a ban on open grazing is the only solution to quell tensions between farmers and herders. This view is strongly supported by farmers in Benue State who are keen to protect their crops and income sources.
However, the path to implementing such policies can be fraught with challenges. Free grazing is a long-standing traditional practice and celebrated by many pastoral communities, and any transition will require active implementation. Moreover, it may be time for the government to establish agricultural zones in Nigeria with enhanced protection measures and robust road networks to secure agricultural land and streamline agricultural operations. This will not only deter herdsmen from encroaching but also motivate more Nigerians to venture into the sector.
Besides pastoralist-farmer conflicts, other insecurity challenges persist. Terrorism has seriously affected agricultural activities, especially in the northern regions. The Boko Haram insurgency has caused widespread disruption of agricultural activities in affected states in Nigeria, resulting in abandoned land and no-cultivation. Frequent attacks on markets and vital transport routes are further disrupting food distribution, driving up prices and causing severe shortages. The food crisis has spread to neighboring countries such as Cameroon and Chad, disrupting local food supplies and causing prices to soar. Some farmers have been forced out of their rural areas by terrorists, while others have been forced to grow food exclusively for captives, depriving them of their means of livelihood. Furthermore, abductions and extortion are also affecting farmers in states outside the northern region. This widespread insecurity has undoubtedly caused significant disruption to food production across the country.
devaluation of the naira
Since the federal government decided to float the naira in 2023, the naira has plummeted 70% against the dollar, from 853 pounds to the dollar in December 2023 to 1,657.36 pounds at the time of writing. This significant decline has increased production costs. Imported agricultural materials and machinery are much more expensive. These high expenditures on necessities such as fertilizer and farm equipment inevitably trickle down, impacting the price of locally grown food. This in turn leads to higher food prices for consumers.
Beyond agricultural inputs, currency devaluation could lead to higher costs for other production factors, impacting the broader food supply chain. For example, in Nigeria, inflationary pressures led to increased demands for wage increases and ultimately led to the approval of a new minimum wage, which could impact farmers’ ability to access additional support. Rental and leasehold properties, commonly used for farmland and storage facilities, may also become more expensive as landlords seek to compensate for tight financial conditions by increasing income through higher rents. This sporadic increase in operating costs limits farmers’ ability to process and store food, leading to higher prices even for locally produced goods, and leaving consumers to bear the brunt of these higher costs. There is a possibility that it will become.
promote food inflation
Exacerbating Nigeria’s food inflation problem is the soaring cost of transportation, primarily due to the abolition of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This subsidy has previously ensured that transportation costs and autonomous power generation across the country remain fairly affordable.
As a result of this presidential decision, agricultural processes and resources have become much more expensive, from operating agricultural machinery to transporting goods from rural farms to urban centers. Nigeria’s inadequate road infrastructure further exacerbates this problem, with poor road conditions increasing travel times and fuel consumption. This situation particularly affects fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables, which require fast and efficient transportation to prevent spoilage and reach consumers in optimal condition.
The lack of a diversified agricultural supply chain system further exacerbates the problem. With limited means of transporting their products, farmers and distributors rely heavily on road transport. This dependency means that increased fuel costs and transport inefficiencies have a direct impact on food availability and prices. A more diversified supply chain that incorporates rail and water transport options could help alleviate these issues, but such infrastructure is still lacking.
