The Federal Government has launched an emergency intervention programme to tackle Tuta absoluta and African Sugarcane Borer, pests threatening tomato and sugarcane production in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement.
He said the initiative aims to sensitize farmers and extension workers, provide approved pest control inputs, and offer technical guidance on integrated pest management.
Abdullahi noted that the programme underscores the government’s commitment to food security, farmers’ welfare, and sustainable agricultural pest management, particularly in frontline states such as Kano.
“Tomatoes are widely grown and consumed in Nigeria and are a major income source for smallholder farmers. The country is one of Africa’s top tomato producers, supporting millions of jobs across production, processing, transport, and marketing,” he said.
The minister described the pests as a national agricultural emergency, impacting harvests, farmer income, and agro-industrial investments.
He emphasized the importance of timely government intervention, farmer sensitization, and federal-state collaboration to contain infestations.
Abdullahi commended the release of two improved tomato varieties—HORTITOM4 and HORTITOM5—by the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) in April 2025, noting their adaptability across Nigeria.
He further announced the upgrading of the pest control division to a full-fledged Federal Department of Plant Health and Pest Control Services, aligning with the government’s goals of protecting farmers, safeguarding strategic crops, and promoting sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.
Abdullahi urged farmers to use free agricultural inputs wisely, follow expert advice, and avoid reckless pesticide use that could harm health and the environment.
The statement quoted Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf as praising the Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security, saying the state’s initiatives complement the federal government’s agricultural transformation goals.
It also quoted Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, who described the unveiling as a strategic, science-driven intervention to safeguard productivity, empower farmers, and strengthen Kano as a hub for irrigated agriculture, horticulture, and agro-processing.
