The Tomato Crisis

Tomatoes, a vegetable consumed in most households across Africa but especially Cameroon and Nigeria,, is scarce and very costly. Why are tomatoes, a must vegetable for households, so scarce and very expensive.

This is the question all are seeking answers to. There has been an outcry over the high cost of the crop. The cost has forced restaurants, grocers, households and other consumers to cut down the quantities they buy. Four pieces of tomatoes cost as much as N200; that is N50 per one. In Cameroon, it is rumored that sometime in May, tomatoes moved from about 1800FCFA to about 10.000FCFA per basket. Since the end of March, when tomatoes became scarce, consumers have been bearing the brunt as traders pass the hike in prices to them.

About 75 per cent of vegetables, such as tomatoes, consumed in Nigeria, come from the Northeast and Northwest parts of the country. In recent weeks, vegetable shipments from the North  have dropped, while prices have soared by as much as 100 percent. Some weeks back in Lagos, a basket of tomatoes sold for between N4,000 and N6,000. But now, it costs between N20,000 and N25,000. Factors for the shortage, many traders said, include the fuel crisis; insurgency; the recent Mile 12, Lagos crisis and viral attacks on the crops.

But it seems farmers just started planting, meaning the situation is bound to last a few months more (till about mid July or August when harvest is ready). Even local producers are feeling the heat. In most cases, their livelihoods have been threatened while markets have become inaccessible. As a result, tomatoes are rottening in the fields, because the roads to many markets are not well developed. Those that manage to reach the markets are not able to feed the demand thus an increase in the prices. Also speaking on the issue, a Senior Intervention Manager, Tomatoes, Growth and Employment in States (GEMS4 Nigeria), Mr Richard Ogundele, described the shortage as a regular occurence. (This brings to mind a permanent opportunity to occupy a share of the tomato market, for any interested agro entrepreneur targeting this periods. Or engage in all year round production- why not?)

Sadly also, tomato production has been severely hit by the outbreak of Tuta absoluta, a disease which left farms devastated across the producing states inn Nigeria. For instance, farms at the Kadawa Irrigation Valley, which is the major producing area and demonstration farms to feed the Dangote’s Dansa Tomato Company in Kano State, were damaged by the disease.  Farmers are worried about Tuta absoluta, a grey-brown moth that is 7mm long, which can wipe out a farm within days. Once it attacks a farm, there is no remedy. The pest attacks fruits in the open farm and in greenhouses. It is lethal; and a female pest can produce up to 260 eggs in 21 days. Experts say Tuta absoluta is a very dangerous pest. The situation has resulted in tomato waste of over 750,000 tons and an import bill of N16 billion annually.All these factors are responsible  for high cost of tomatoes we are experiencing today

According to experts, the panacea to tomato waste is processing. But I cant talk about waste when production is yet inadequate. Let’s save waste for another day. Nigeria consumes about 3.2million tons of tomatoes annually, but produces just about 1.8million tons. In Cameroon, and this is my area of emphasis, according to the UNFAO food balance sheet 2011 we consume about 871,000tons of tomatoes annually, we produce 862,000tons and import about 9000tons. According to this report export is zero. So what explains the rise in cost of tomatoes in Cameroon especially given that Tuta Absoluta hasn’t been reported in any part of the country? The reason is simple, even though it’s hardly recorded our markets are immidiatelly invaded everytime theres a shortage in neighboring Nigeria. This unrecorded trade which runs into millions of nairas is dorminated by Igbos of Nigeria and the Bamikekes of Cameroon through the Enugu-Bamenda International highway. (How about the Bamenda people? Don’t you see the opportunity? Wake up!) This invasion creates a shortage in our local markets thereby driving our prices up as well. Many institutions are acting on this information. Organisations such as Happy Farms Cameroon, Northwest Farmers Organisation (NOWEFO), The Minisry of Agriculture, and many others are making efforts. But this is not enough. We cannot over emphasize the value of tomatoes. Its a very low calories fruit. Contains antioxidant vitamin A, C and vital vitamin B-complex, rich in potassium, zea-xanthin, lycopene and unique compounds which help the body build strong bones,  better night vision and battle cancers of the lung, breast, colon, postrate and even pancreatic tumors. So no matter how much you love Achu, Fufu, Eru, Kwa-coco and banga soup, pounded yam or tea you need this delicate and delicious fruit, whether in a meal or fresh.

That’s why I and my smart team are starting the GreenerLife Gardens project which will affect at least 1000 homes positively. (Inbox me for details or if you want to be a partner) Why am I taking pains to write all this? Because we can increase production of tomatoes very easily if we decide. I am adding my voice to the numerous calls because producing tomatoes at individual level not only saves consumers the high cost that is transferred to them during times of scarcity but also yields extra income. Be you a student or a worker, you can start your own tomato farm today. Clearly theres an unending market for the fruit. Theres an unending domestic need for the fruit, and lastly it’s not capital intensive, which means anyone can start up with a little savings. Her are 3 steps to start;

Find a seed store and buy the variety you want to grow, be sure that it can do well with the climate of your area. The best in local markets in Cameroon is what is known as “Iron Tomate” with a hard coating which prevents easy rot and a thick cover

Find a suitable space, throw the seeds and water them. In about a week or less, they germinate. Then transplant them in your farm or garden proper. Plant them in spaces of about 30cm. Then look after them, weeding and fertilizing when necessary for 2-3month

Its harvest time, harvest and handle carefully, keep those for home use and those for sale, you take to the market. When consuming do well to preserve seeds for the next planting batch.

Storage tips

• Dry some tomatoes in the sun or an oven for future use. Don’t be afraid they will still be nutritious
• Make tomato paste and store in the refrigerator

Thank you very much for your attention and I hope this article helped you

References;

Daniel Essiet (2016) Grappling with tomato shortage www.thenation.ng

Umesh Rudrappa (2009) Nutrition facts www.nutritio-and-you.com

http://www.opendattaforafrica.org/cameroon-agriculture-sheet

Zekebweliwai Cham Formoukum

MSc. Food Supply Economics, BSU, Nigeria

BSc. Accountng, UB, Cameroon