100 North-West Tomato Farmers, Processors Trained on Climate-Smart Agriculture

News in Brief

—100 tomato farmers and stakeholders from the North-West have been trained on climate-smart agriculture in Zaria to boost production and reduce losses.

—The workshop, backed by FAR-LeaF II and partner institutions, focused on climate resilience, post-harvest handling, improved seeds and practical steps for sustaining the value chain.

About 100 tomato farmers, processors, marketers and other value chain actors from North-West Nigeria received training on climate-smart agriculture in Zaria, Kaduna State. 

The exercise was organised against the backdrop of concerns over the impact of erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, pests, diseases and weak post-harvest systems on tomato production in the region.  

Climate-Resilience Knowledge

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the convener, Dr Ololade-Latifat Abdulrahman, stated that the initiative was designed to help stakeholders respond to the growing threats climate change poses to tomato production and the livelihoods tied to it. She described tomatoes as one of Nigeria’s most important food crops, noting that the commodity supports food security, income generation and employment across the country.

According to her, the project will equip farmers and other actors in the tomato value chain with practical knowledge that can improve productivity and reduce waste. She said that when farmers, processors, marketers and transporters understand the climate risks facing the crop, they are better positioned to make smarter decisions that can protect yields and incomes.

Research-Led Intervention

Abdulrahman explained that the workshop forms part of a research effort titled Climate Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of Tomato Value Chain Actors. The study focuses on how climate change affects stakeholders in the tomato business and the adaptation measures that can help them remain productive under changing conditions.

She added that findings from the research would support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen agricultural extension services and guide future interventions for the sector. Such interventions are crucial to effectively ease the pressures of changing weather patterns and the losses that often follow weak handling and storage systems.

As part of the support package, participants are expected to receive improved tomato seeds and plastic crates to encourage the adoption of climate-smart production practices. They were also trained on improved post-harvest handling techniques to reduce spoilage and extend the shelf life of harvested tomatoes.

“ 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,” Abdulrahman told the participants.

She also thanked FAR-LeaF II, NSPRI, NIFAAS and other collaborating organisations for backing the programme, describing the partnership as critical to climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and better livelihoods for those involved in tomato production and trade.

Beneficiaries Speak on Impact

For many participants, the training came at a time when the tomato sector is facing obvious strain. Malam Aliyu Umar, an Agricultural Extension Officer with the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA), said the workshop exposed extension workers and farmers to practical techniques that can improve tomato production.

He said the lessons learned would help reduce post-harvest losses, one of the biggest problems confronting tomato farmers in Nigeria. Umar added that the improved seeds distributed during the programme would also help farmers withstand the effects of climate change.

Another participant, Malama Asibi Hassan, a tomato farmer and processor from Sabon Gari Local Government Area, described the training as timely and useful. She said it improved participants’ knowledge of tomato packaging, preservation and value addition, all of which are essential to reducing waste and improving earnings.

Hassan linked the sharp rise in tomato prices in many parts of the country to poor preservation and processing capacity. She said substantial quantities of harvested tomatoes are often lost before they get to consumers in usable condition, leaving farmers, traders and buyers to bear the cost.

She called on governments and development partners to support similar interventions with subsidised processing machines, solar dryers, greenhouses and other technologies which can ensure year-round tomato production, processing and preservation. According to her, such support would help the sector move beyond seasonal boom-and-bust cycles and create stronger income opportunities for producers.

Inter-agency collaboration intervention

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.

With tomato prices often swinging sharply and losses mounting at harvest and storage stages, the Zaria training highlights a growing push to strengthen Nigeria’s tomato value chain from the farm to the market. The hope among organisers and participants alike is that the new knowledge, tools and improved seeds shared at the workshop will translate into better yields, less waste and stronger resilience in the months ahead.