Tomato farmers across Nigeria are raising the alarm over the latest outbreak of Tuta Absoluta, a devastating pest infestation that has disrupted tomato production and driven prices sharply upwards in markets nationwide.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, growers expressed growing concern over the spread of Tuta Absoluta, commonly known as the Tomato Leaf Miner. The pest, which has wreaked havoc on tomato crops across Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and parts of the Americas, is capable of causing complete crop loss if left unmanaged. Nigerian farmers have nicknamed it “Tomato Ebola” due to the speed and severity of its destruction—fields can be wiped out in just over 48 hours.
The pest is known for its rapid reproduction cycle, breeding up to 10 to 12 generations annually. A single female can lay between 250 and 300 eggs in her lifetime, exacerbating the speed at which infestations can spiral out of control.
The outbreak is already affecting both supply and pricing. Mr Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, confirmed that the infestation, which began in early March, has devastated several farms, particularly in the northern regions of the country.
“The invasion of the Tuta Absoluta pest, which began in early March, has ravaged several farms in the northern region,” he said. “The virus doesn’t cause much damage during the wet season, but becomes more aggressive during the hot season. Recently, temperatures have been unusually high, causing increased soil humidity, which favours the pest’s spread.”
Zuntu revealed that the disruption in supply has led to soaring prices in local markets, even during the peak harvest period. “Despite being in the harvest season, some farms have been destroyed. Currently, a 50kg basket of tomatoes sells for about N30,000 in northern markets due to the infestation. Before the outbreak, the same basket was sold for between N5,000 and N10,000, as this is usually the peak harvest season,” he explained.
Efforts to contain the spread are underway, though Zuntu admits the challenge is significant. He noted that while soil humidity plays a key role in the pest’s proliferation, it is not a controllable factor. “Humidity in the soil is a major factor contributing to the rapid spread of Tuta Absoluta on infected tomato farms,” he said. “However, we can take preventive steps to limit its spread.”
Even the use of climate-resistant or disease-resistant seeds does not guarantee immunity from Tuta Absoluta. Zuntu stressed that the most promising method for control is the Integrated Pest Management approach, which combines various techniques to minimise pest impact.
Meanwhile, Mr Bola Oyeleke, National President of the Tomatoes and Orchard Processors Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), offered a more measured outlook, stating that the outbreak has so far had a limited effect on prices due to the ongoing harvest.
“Tomato harvest is currently ongoing across the country, so the impact of the Tuta Absoluta virus is not as severe as it was during the off-season,” he said. “We are still seeing tomatoes arriving at the market daily. However, if the infestation continues, it is likely affecting newly planted crops.”
Still, Oyeleke acknowledged the broader threat the pest poses to the future of tomato farming in Nigeria. “To prevent recurring outbreaks, local farmers must collaborate,” he said. He advocated for more technological innovation, particularly in land preparation, which he believes could help reduce pest activity.
He also recommended that farmers begin preparing land collectively within local government areas. “Collaborative land preparation can help reduce pest infestations and prevent future outbreaks,” he added.
As the infestation spreads, the challenge for Nigerian farmers will be to act quickly and collectively, balancing immediate market pressures with long-term solutions to protect one of the country’s staple crops.
