Nigeria: Why there is a drop in tomato production and other vegetables

Irrigation farmers and vegetables’ traders in Bauchi State have said that the hike in the prices of fuel and fertiliser are responsible for the low production of tomatoes and other vegetables thereby causing increases in the prices of the produce in Bauchi and the country in general. The traders stated this on Thursday during at an interaction with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) which conducted a market survey with traders, traders’ associations and marketers to ascertain the factors responsible for the continuous hike in food prices in Bauchi. The chairman of the vegetable traders, Alhaji Sani Abubakar, said the prices of tomatoes, pepper, onions and vegetables have continued to rise on a daily basis. “It might be difficult for vegetables because the factors are many and unless they are addressed, the hike in prices of vegetables might likely continue. Abubakar said, “All these vegetables are produced by irrigation farmers who depend on ...