International crop protection expert, Prof Daniel Gwary, has urged the federal government and the private sector to take proactive measures aimed at addressing the growing menace of tomato Ebola. The insect infection has caused significant financial losses to farmers, surpassing N1.5 billion.
Gwary, a Professor of Plant Pathology at University of Maiduguri emphasised the importance of implementing cost-effective biosecurity measures to effectively combat Tomato Ebola. These measures include seed health testing, qualified operators, inspection procedures, and seed phytosanitation. He highlighted the need for multidisciplinary capabilities to ensure the successful implementation of phytosanitary procedures, which would help eliminate the pest and promote the use of resistant tomato varieties.
His words: “Tomato Ebola is an insect disease problem. There are no resistant tomato varieties to tackle it now. However, there are recommendations to address the impact of pests in the short term.”
He noted that the infestation could threaten Nigeria’s tomato exports dream as the majority of important export markets remain unaffected by the pest. On a domestic level, he indicated that this has resulted in a decrease in the supply of fresh tomatoes, potentially leading to higher prices.
“We cannot export. Since we are not maintaining standards, we will be listed amongst countries that cannot export tomatoes to the US.”
He emphasized that the first line defense against the invasion of Tuta absoluta should begin at the border, where farmers bring in tomatoes and other susceptible crops. He said, “To address this the approach should be large scale and the bio security measures should involve multiple agencies both from the airport and internally so we can check it. From producers to processors s to our border control. From Tomato it can spread to Irish potatoes.”
Gwary further stressed that countries exporting tomatoes to Nigeria must adhere to the Import Health Standards, which outline the necessary treatments or measures to mitigate the risks associated with imported fresh produce. He also highlighted the significance of implementing movement controls to effectively manage the spread of the pest throughout the country. He emphasised that maintaining proper on-farm biosecurity and hygiene practices will greatly contribute to minimizing the threat posed by Tuta absoluta.
The recent increase in the price of tomatoes has been attributed to an infestation called Tomato Ebola, by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari. This infestation, according to him, has severely affected a significant number of tomato farms, leading to a decrease in tomato availability and an increase in costs.
Kyari added that the ministry has outlined plans to combat the issue, which include deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to control and eliminate the infestation and supporting farmers with resources and guidance to recover their crops quickly.