By Mustapha Yauri
No fewer than 100 tomato farmers, processors, marketers, and other value-chain actors from the North-West have received training on climate-smart agriculture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training aims to improve production, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
Speaking at the opening in Zaria on Wednesday, the workshop convener, Dr Ololade-Latifat Abdulrahman, said the initiative was designed to address the growing threats climate change poses to tomato production and the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the crop.
Abdulrahman described tomatoes as one of Nigeria’s most important food crops, providing food, income, and employment.
She, however, lamented the increasing impact of erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, pests, diseases, and severe post-harvest losses across producing communities in the region.
Abdulrahman said strengthening the capacity of farmers and other value-chain actors was essential to improving productivity, reducing waste, and creating employment opportunities.
She added that this would also ensure a sustainable supply of quality tomatoes across the country.
According to her, the workshop is part of a research project titled, “Climate Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of Tomato Value Chain Actors.”
“The project examines the impact of climate change on stakeholders and identifies practical adaptation measures for building resilience,” the convener said.
She said findings from the research would support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen agricultural extension services, and guide future interventions to help farmers, processors, marketers, and transporters adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Abdulrahman said participants would receive improved tomato seeds and plastic crates to facilitate the adoption of climate-smart production practices.
“They will also be trained on improved post-harvest handling techniques.
“I urge you to embrace the new practices, share experiences, and transfer the knowledge acquired within your communities to strengthen the tomato value chain and improve resilience against the growing effects of climate change,” she advised.
Abdulrahman thanked FAR-LeaF II, NSPRI, NIFAAS, and other collaborating organisations for supporting the initiative, describing their partnership as critical to promoting climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and improved livelihoods for tomato value-chain actors.
One of the participants, Malam Aliyu Umar, an Agricultural Extension Officer with the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) said the training exposed extension workers and farmers to practical techniques of improving tomato production.
Umar said participants learned modern handling methods that would significantly reduce post-harvest losses.
He added that the improved seeds distributed during the programme would enable farmers to withstand the effects of climate change.
Also speaking, Malama Asibi Hassan, a tomato farmer and processor from Sabon Gari Local Government Area, described the training as timely.
She said the training improved participants’ knowledge of tomato packaging, preservation, and value addition.
Hassan attributed rising tomato prices across many parts of the country to inadequate preservation and processing capacity.
She noted that substantial quantities of harvested tomatoes were lost before reaching consumers in usable condition.
She appealed to governments and development partners to complement similar training programmes with subsidised processing machines, solar dryers, greenhouses, and other technologies to support year-round tomato production, processing, and preservation.
Hassan commended the organisers for combining practical training with the distribution of improved seeds and post-harvest handling materials.
She said the intervention would help participants translate acquired knowledge into improved productivity and higher incomes.
NAN reports that the training was organised by the Future Africa Research and Leadership Fellowship (FAR-LeaF) II, Programme, in collaboration with the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries and Aquaculture Studies (NIFAAS) and other partners. (NAN)
Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Muhammad Lawal