The Kano State chairman of Tomato Out Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), Sani Danladi, has revealed that Tuta absoluta, one of the most devastating pests affecting tomato crops, is the main cause of the soaring prices of tomatoes across Nigeria.
Mr Danladi disclosed this in an interview with PREMIUM on Tuesday.
In recent weeks, households in Nigeria have had to dig deeper into their pockets to buy tomatoes, one of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the country, as prices have risen sharply due to shortage.
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In the past month, prices have been on a steady rise as scarcity hit markets across the country.
Consumers have taken to social media to expresss worries and complain about the surging prices, comparing price rates in different regions of the country.
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday morning, Mr Danladi revealed that Tuta absoluta reappeared in Kano, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa states in February.
Tuta absoluta is a species of moth in the family of Gelechiidae, which is also known by the name tomato leaf miner or ‘Tomato Ebola’.
It is well known as a serious pest of tomato crops in Europe and South America.
