Association partners FG to boost tomato production in Southern Nigeria
By Mercy Omoike
The Tomatoes and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) says it is partnering with the Federal Government to boost tomato production in Southern Nigeria.
The TOPAN National President, Mr Bola Oyeleke, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
Oyeleke said that boosting tomato production in the South was a proactive step by the government to address price hike.
“We want to step up tomato production in the South-West, and we are doing this in partnership with the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, under the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government wants to make sure that we expand the production of tomato across the South-West and the South-East.
“It is being proactive before the rainy season problem, when there is usually an increase in the cost of tomatoes in the South.
“So, this year, we are preparing to make sure that we reduce the price of the produce and meet demand down South,” he said.
The TOPAN chairman said that the project, which began on April 3, would be piloted in four South-Western states – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti.
According to him, the association will work with farmers in these states to increase the production and supply of tomatoes to the open market at affordable rates.
He said that on April 3, local farmers were trained on seedlings, using seeds developed by NIHORT which are very compatible with the land in the South.
“The farmers will be trained in the best agronomic practices and on the right use of fertilisers,” Oyeleke said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Christiana Fadare
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