Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has stated that the reason for scarcity of tomatoes in some parts of the country is due to a “severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato leaf miner.”
Tomato prices have risen dramatically in several markets as a result of the perishable food’s scarcity.
In a post on X (previously Twitter) on Monday, May 28, the minister stated that the federal government had taken action to address the situation.
Kyari said; “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 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.
“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.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli