Fresh tomatoes and peppers are the new gold in Nigeria.
The price of tomatoes in many markets has skyrocketed, following the scarcity of the perishable food.
There is an outcry in different parts of Nigeria, as tomatoes that used to be an affordable perishable item are now sold for 100 naira for a seed or even more in markets.
This is further deepening the harsh effects of inflation faced by Nigerians, thereby making staple foods a luxury for the average Nigerian.
Many cannot help but wonder why tomatoes and peppers have now become scarce commodities.
To answer the questions on the lips of Nigerians, Abubakar Kyari gave reasons for the scarcity of the perishable food item.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has said the scarcity of tomatoes being experienced in some parts of the country is caused by a “severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner”.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, May 28, the minister said the federal government has taken action to combat the issue.
Tomatoes Ebola
“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. Our ministry is taking immediate action to combat this issue.
“We are deploying agricultural experts to the affected areas to contain and eliminate the infestation.
“Additionally, we are supporting our farmers with the necessary resources and guidance to recover their crops as quickly as possible, just as we instituted the Ginger Blight Control Taskforce.
Also Read: We Are Lifting Nigerians Out Of Poverty – Wale Edun
“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.”
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