Nigerian farmers are reorienting their production from tomatoes to wheat

As the dry season farming commenced, Tomato farmers in Kano are concerned as the 2023 elections approach coupled with high cost of farm inputs, particularly fertiliser. The incident has forced many of them to abandon tomato farming this season and resort to other crops, despite the expectations of bumper yield from tomatoes. Daily Trust gathered that one of the reasons why the farmers are apprehensive about the approach of the general elections is because the supply of tomatoes to the southern part of the country is likely to face obstacles. During a visit to one of the largest irrigation areas in Kano, Kadawa, in Kura LGA, the farms were found deserted, while those still planted, had other crops, with very few having tomatoes. Some of them had wheat and others had onions, and were using irrigation to water the crops. The farmers who spoke said over the years, they had been coping with the risks associated with tomato farming, but this time around, they decided to step down due to ...