Tomato farmers in Kogi are experiencing improved yields and higher incomes following the introduction of new measures aimed at reducing post-harvest losses.
A survey revealed that the initiatives led by agricultural extension officers and farmer cooperatives, are gradually transforming the tomato industry in Kogi.
According to Salihu Adobanyi, Kogi’s chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the measures include improved post-harvest handling, training programmes for rural farmers, and the use of ventilated plastic crates.
He said, “These efforts have reduced physical damage during transportation and prevented spoilage. Additionally, solar drying methods and small cold storage facilities are being adopted to manage excess harvest and extend shelf life.”
Mr Adobanyi commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for farmers and praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting farmers with input supplies.
He, however, appealed to the government to address the inadequate preservation facilities and processing companies in the state, citing the need for industries to process and preserve perishable produce.
Musa Abdullahi, a small-scale farmer in Lokoja, expressed excitement over the bumper harvest of tomatoes this season, but expressed concerns over inadequate storage facilities and off takers.
“We’re happy with the harvest, but we’re worried about storage. We don’t have access to cold storage facilities, so some of our tomatoes are already going bad. We need help with preservation techniques or storage facilities to reduce our losses,” Mr Abdullahi said.
Ibrahim Usman, a large-scale farmer, said they have invested in storage facilities but not enough to accommodate and preserve their bumper harvest.
He added, “We have invested in some storage facilities, but it’s not enough. We’re looking at exploring partnerships with processing companies to secure a market for our produce.
“The government could help facilitate these partnerships and provide incentives for farmers to adopt better farming practices.”
A female farmer, Alice Halidu, said women are facing challenges in accessing land for farming due to gender parity.
“As women, we face challenges accessing credit and inputs. We need support with financing and training to improve our yields and quality.
“The Kogi Government has been trying to capture more women in farming, but they should provide more opportunities for women farmers to access resources and markets,” she urged.
A manager at Mack Farm Agro-allied Company, John Mathias, said, “As a processing company, we are interested in sourcing tomatoes from local farmers, but we need a consistent supply of high-quality produce.
“We’re willing to partner with farmers who can meet our standards and provide training on post-harvest handling and farming practices.”
(NAN)