By Ahmad Saleem
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has commenced efforts to develop the tomato value chain in Kano State as part of moves to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmers’ income.
The Regional Coordinator of NEPC, North West, Amina Abdulmalik, disclosed this in Kano during a workshop focused on tomato value chain development.
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According to her, the initiative is anchored on the council’s One State, One Product (OSOP) programme, under which tomato has been identified as a priority product for Kano State.
“What we are witnessing here today is all about tomato value chain development. This programme came about under what we call OSOP, which means One State, One Product. Tomato happens to be one of the OSOP products in Kano State, and we need to develop it,” she said.
Amina explained that although tomatoes are produced in large quantities across Kano, the absence of effective value chain mechanisms has resulted in significant wastage.
“Tomato is cultivated in Kano State in large quantity, but unfortunately, there is no strong value chain attached to it. So what we are trying to do is to build capacity on how to reduce wastage through value chain development,” she added.
She noted that the workshop was designed to equip farmers, processors and other stakeholders with practical skills on how to add value to tomato produce, rather than selling it raw and suffering losses due to spoilage.
“At the end of the day, what I want to see is that if not half of the people in this hall today, at least many of them will begin to add value to their tomatoes,” she said.
According to her, value addition, such as processing fresh tomatoes into paste and other derivatives, would significantly increase earnings for producers.
“Adding value to their produce means more money. If someone sells just a basket of tomato, and is able to take that same basket and turn it into tomato paste, that is value addition and it means more income, instead of allowing the tomato to waste away,” she explained.
Amina expressed optimism that the training would translate into practical outcomes, with more participants embracing tomato processing and other value chain activities.
She added that the NEPC would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains in the North West to enhance export potential, create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Participants at the workshop commended the initiative, saying it would help address persistent losses faced by tomato farmers in Kano and neighbouring states.
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