NIHORT Trains 104 Farmers in New Tomato Variety Production, Processing

News in Brief:

-NIHORT trained 104 farmers in Oyo State on the cultivation and processing of disease-resistant, nutrient-rich tomato varieties designed for high yield and longer shelf life.

-These varieties showcase Nigeria's progress in innovation and are being distributed to farmers nationwide to enhance tomato production and reduce post-harvest losses.

The National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) has trained 104 farmers in Oyo State on the production and processing of the HORTITOM1, HORTITOM2, and HORTITOM3, three of its high-yield, nutrient-rich tomato varieties.

These varieties, released in 2023, are recognised for their resistance to Fusarium wilt and root-knot nematode diseases, suitability across all agro-ecological zones in Nigeria, and longer shelf life.

The training took place at the JDPM Hall in Mabolaje Area of Oyo town. Men, women, and youths participating in the tomato value chain received comprehensive training in both theoretical and practical knowledge.

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

NIHORT scientists and technologists taught participants essential aspects of tomato farming, including cultivation principles, pest and disease management, value addition, production economics, record-keeping, and marketing strategies. 

According to the institute's Executive Director, Professor Mohammed Lawal Attanda, who was represented by the Head of Department, Farming Systems and Extension, Dr Iyabo Adeoye, training of this nature is crucial in supporting the Federal Government's agricultural policies and enhancing national agricultural efforts to boost tomato production and processing in the country.

The capacity-building initiative aims to empower farmers with improved skills to boost food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase farmer incomes through sustainable tomato production and processing practices. 

The Executive Director noted that tomatoes are one of the most important and major vegetables grown in Nigeria. They are essential cooking ingredients and a valuable raw material in processed products such as juice, puree, paste, ketchup/sauce, dry slices, and powder.

It is a profitable horticultural crop that provides income to farmers and agents involved in its input supply, production, processing and marketing.

She further stated that to ensure the sustainability of the tomato value chain, capacity building and stakeholder engagement, especially in innovations and technologies such as the new tomato varieties, are vital to scale up the production and processing of the crop.

Stakeholder Support and Supply Enhancement

Stakeholders, including the Justice Development and Peace Movement, local government agricultural directors, and women farmers’ organisations, expressed support for the initiative, recognising its potential to enhance tomato production and processing in Nigeria.

Participants praised the government and NIHORT for their proactive efforts, acknowledging that the training and distribution of HORTITOM seed varieties would have a positive impact on production practices and ensure a steady supply of tomatoes nationwide.

Each participant at the training received certification, training materials, and tomato seeds to encourage immediate application of newly acquired skills.​

NIHORT’s HORTITOM Tomato Varieties in Nigeria

NIHORT’s new tomato varieties, released in 2023, are among the milestone products of the national institution responsible for conducting research into genetic improvement and production of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants in Nigeria. 

The HORTITOM varieties, which now include newly released HORTITOM4 and HORTITOM5 as of April 2025, have undergone rigorous testing and have been formally registered under Nigeria’s variety release system, which streamlines the approval and release of improved crop varieties for public farming. 

These innovations in crop production address critical challenges in tomato farming, such as disease resistance and shelf life, with positive early performance results ensuring their suitability across Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones.