How FG can help tomato farmers reduce post-harvest losses – NATPAN

The National Tomato Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) has urged the Federal Government to address post-harvest losses in tomato production by implementing targeted measures.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, the Kaduna State Chairman of NATPAN, Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, highlighted the challenges faced by tomato farmers and suggested ways the government could support them.

According to Zuntu, government intervention is essential to help smallholder farmers acquire the equipment and facilities needed to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value addition, and boost the growth of the sector.

“Most farmers cannot afford loans for this equipment to aid the reduction of post-harvest losses because they are smallholder farmers,” Zuntu said.

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Stating the type of support needed, he added, “The government can assist tomato farmers in reducing post-harvest losses by providing targeted interventions.”

“One of the ways to reduce post-harvest losses in tomato cultivation is to increase the use of plastic crates in the transportation of the produce from the farm to the market; from the north to other parts of the country.

“With the use of plastic crates for the transportation of tomatoes from one part of Nigeria to the other, the rate of post-harvest losses will be reduced.”

Zuntu also noted that the association has partnered with various stakeholders to assist farmers in adopting mechanized methods to minimize losses.

“As an association, we are in partnership with some existing and new processing facilities to cut down post-harvest losses and increase the income of our farmers.

“With these tomato processing machines, even the glut we usually witness between January and February every year will be considerably reduced.

“The production of local tomato processors is one of the cleanest ways of drying tomatoes and adding value as well as increasing the farmers’ income and the growth of the sector.”

He further explained that some NGOs have introduced solar dryers for tomato preservation, which the farmers are keen to adopt despite the high cost.

“So, as an association, we are gathering farmers in clusters to be able to afford the solar dryers and reduce post-harvest losses.

“Hence, there is an urgent need for government intervention in the sector,” Zuntu concluded.

(NAN)

 

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE