FAO Representative to Nigeria & ECOWAS a.i. and Secretary to the Kaduna State Government sign new project, February 2025. ©FAO/Milena Rivolova

Kaduna, Nigeria – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Kaduna State Government have signed a transformative agreement to address critical challenges in the tomato value chain. The signing ceremony, held at the Kaduna State Government House, marks a significant milestone in enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria.

The project aims to improve production techniques, improved storage and processing infrastructure, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen farmer cooperatives. By improving the tomato value chain, this initiative will create more jobs, particularly for women and youth, and empower smallholder farmers with sustainable income opportunities, all while fostering peace and security in support of the durable solutions agenda.

The Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This demonstrates our commitment to food security and sustainable livelihoods even as a subnational government. This new partnership will improve the production capacity and income of our tomato farmers, reduce poverty, improve our economy and enhance livelihoods. We reaffirm our commitment to providing the necessary resources, infrastructure, and services to make this project a success.”

The FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Koffy Dominique Kouacou, highlighted the urgency of transforming the tomato value chain to enhance food security not only in Kaduna State but also at the national and international levels. “We recognize that sustainable transformation requires private sector engagement. By working together, we can scale up this initiative, attract investment, and unlock new market opportunities for Kaduna’s farmers,” he said.

About the Tomato Value Chain in Nigeria

Tomato is the world’s leading vegetable for processing into pastes, juices, and powders. Nigeria ranks as the 14th largest producer of tomato fruit globally and the second largest in Africa, yet paradoxically, it is also the 13th largest importer of tomato paste. With an annual production of 2.3 million tonnes, Kaduna State is recognized as Nigeria’s top producer.

Despite its vast potential for income generation among smallholder farmers, over 50 percent of Nigeria’s annual tomato yield is lost due to various challenges, including:

• Seasonal production fluctuations leading to market gluts and price instability.
• Low productivity per hectare due to inadequate farming techniques.
• High perishability, which exacerbates post-harvest losses.

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