A devastating pest outbreak is threatening tomato production across northern Nigeria, with farmers in Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi bearing the brunt of the destruction.
The culprit—Tuta absoluta, a fast-spreading and hard-to-control pest—has wiped out tomato farms across these states, leaving thousands of farmers counting their losses and raising concerns over a looming shortage and price hike.
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According to the Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria, the pest infestation began as early as March, targeting farms just as tomatoes were maturing for harvest. Many farmers who planted in November and December have been unable to harvest a single basket.
“The situation is heartbreaking,” said Alhaji Sani Danladi Yada-Kwari, chairman of the association in Kano and its national secretary. “In Kano, the damage is beyond words. Farmers watched helplessly as the pest wiped out their crops in just a matter of days.”
Some farmers reportedly lost investments running into millions of naira. In Kano alone, losses are estimated at over N20 billion.
Tuta absoluta thrives in hot weather and is resistant to most pesticides, making it incredibly difficult to manage. Once it invades a farm, it quickly destroys tomato plants, leaving rotten, unsellable fruits in its wake.
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At the popular Yan Kaba tomato market in Kano, the impact is already visible. Alin Bello, secretary of the tomato traders association, said the tomatoes arriving at the market are few, and most are already infested.
“We’re seeing poor quality and reduced quantity,” he said. “Tomatoes that aren’t sold quickly rot by the end of the day. That’s why prices are already climbing, and good tomatoes are getting scarce.”
The association is urging farmers to act quickly at the first sign of infestation and is calling on the government to step in with emergency support for affected farmers.
“If nothing is done soon,” warned Alhaji Yada-Kwari, “the tomato supply chain will collapse, and consumers will feel the impact across the country.”
