Tomato producers in Nigeria are grappling with a Tuta Absoluta outbreak, disrupting production and driving up prices nationwide. Interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria highlight growing concerns over the Tomato Leaf Miner, a pest known globally for its destructive impact on crops. Nicknamed "Tomato Ebola" by local farmers, the pest can decimate entire fields within 48 hours.
The pest's rapid reproduction cycle—females lay 250 to 300 eggs and can produce 10 to 12 generations per year—makes containment particularly challenging. Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, noted that the outbreak, which began in March, has significantly impacted farms in the northern regions. "The invasion of the Tuta Absoluta pest, which began in early March, has ravaged several farms in the northern region," he said.
Zuntu emphasized the outbreak's effect on supply and market prices. "Despite being in the harvest season, some farms have been destroyed. Currently, a 50-kg basket of tomatoes sells for about US$23 in northern markets due to the infestation. Before the outbreak, the same basket was sold for between US$3.90 and US$7.80," he explained.
Efforts to control the spread are ongoing, but challenges persist. Zuntu stressed the importance of Integrated Pest Management as a key strategy. Despite the current harvest period, Mr. Bola Oyeleke, National President of the Tomatoes and Orchard Processors Association of Nigeria, noted that price impacts have been limited so far. "Tomato harvest is currently ongoing across the country, so the impact of the Tuta Absoluta virus is not as severe as it was during the off-season," he said.
Oyeleke urged for greater farmer collaboration and technological innovation, particularly in land preparation, to better manage future risks. As the infestation continues, Nigerian farmers face the difficult task of addressing immediate losses while working toward sustainable, long-term solutions.
Source: News Central