Despite the insecurity bedevilling Kaduna State, the Tomatoes Jos Farming and Processing Limited has begun the production of tomato paste.
The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency, Khalil Nur Khalil, said the state government will continue to woo foreign investors to the state.
According to him, the new tomato paste variant, packaged in a 65-gram sachet is produced directly from fresh tomatoes grown in Kaduna State and other parts of the North and will flood Nigeria and West African markets.
Khalil contended that the new development was coming despite the huge security challenges facing the state. He also commended the firm for believing in the state, noting that the state government would support the firm whenever the need arises.
While unveiling the product, an elated Mira Mehta, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the firm said that the investment in the factory based in Kaduna had attracted an initial capital outlay of 30 million dollars and an additional N1 billion, saying that she was proud to see the dream come true.
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“It is a dream come true. Though entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs, I feel encouraged whenever I see my passion for this business ignite in my colleagues.
“It is the company’s first consumer product since the commencement of operations at its multi-billion-naira factory in Kaduna State last year.
According to her, “I am incredibly proud of the Tomato Jos team for their hard work and belief that we could achieve something on this scale.
‘The facility is the only one of its kind in Nigeria that can produce sachet tomato products directly from fresh tomatoes. The product is currently available throughout Kaduna State, and we intend to expand to more states by the end of 2022.”
.Also, speaking, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mrs Yemisi Edun, described the Bank’s funding of the factory as another landmark intervention to boost agribusiness, food security and food sufficiency in Nigeria.
According to her, the processing plant sits on 500 hectares of land under lease from the Kaduna State Government, with a potential tomato cultivation area of 300 hectares.
“In January 2020, we broke ground on our tomato paste processing plant and by March 2021 the factory was operational. The facility is the only one of its kind in Nigeria that can produce sachet tomato products directly from fresh tomatoes grown in the country thereby guaranteeing superior flavour and colour.”
” The company has over 200 full/contract workers, and a network of over 3,000 smallholder farmers who partner with us to grow year-round at yields well above the national average.”
Tomato Jos was also said to have received investment support from the Central Bank of Nigeria through FCMB, while the company plans to raise an additional $10 million in debt and equity to fund further growth and expand its reach across the country.
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Tomatoes firm commenced production in Kaduna ― DG Kaduna investment
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Tomatoes firm commenced production in Kaduna ― DG Kaduna investment
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