Some tomato farmers in Kazaure, Jigawa have advocated establishment of a tomato processing plant to encourage productivity and guard against post harvest losses.
They also identified rising production costs, pests and diseases, unstable prices, and inadequate storage facilities as major challenges affecting tomato cultivation.
The farmers stated this in separate interviews on Wednesday in Kazaure, Jigawa.
Mr Auwalu Dahiru, a farmer, described tomato farming as a promising venture capable of improving livelihoods when supported with the right policies and infrastructure.
He said increasing demand for fresh tomatoes and tomato products presented opportunities for farmers to expand their productions.
According to Dahiru, improved access to irrigation facilities, affordable farm inputs, soft loans and better rural roads will encourage more people, especially youths, to engage in tomato farming.
Dahiru also stressed the need for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques to improve productivity and increase profitability.
Another farmer, Dayyabu Iliyasu, described tomato cultivation as lucrative due to the high demand throughout the year in spite of the numerous challenges.
He said that many farmers continue to invest in tomato production because it provides a relatively quick source of income.
Illiyasu, however, said that increasing prices of fertilisers, improved seeds, agrochemicals and labour had significantly raised the production costs.
“Tomato farming is rewarding when the harvest is good, but the cost of cultivation is a source of concern to us,” he said.
Also, Idi Mamman said pests and diseases remained one of the greatest threats to tomato production.
He explained that infestations often reduced yields and forced farmers to spend more on pesticides and other control measures.
Mamman called for greater support through extension services to educate farmers on improved pest management practices.
On his part, Mr Sale Bello identified price fluctuations as a bane militating against improved tomato farming.
He said bumper harvests often resulted in price crashes, leaving many farmers unable to recover their investments.
Bello noted that the absence of adequate storage and processing facilities contributed to post-harvest losses, especially during peak periods.
He urged government and private investors to establish tomato processing industries, to reduce wastage and create a stable market for the produce.
