Southern Nigeria Targets 40% Boost in Tomato Output as TOPAN, FG Launch Regional Production Drive

In a bid to close Nigeria’s tomato supply gap and curb seasonal price hikes, the Tomatoes and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) has partnered with the Federal Government to expand tomato production across southern Nigeria—targeting a 40% boost in output from the region within the next planting cycle.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the National President of TOPAN, Mr. Bola Oyeleke, said the initiative, which kicked off on April 3, is a proactive response to the persistent scarcity and price volatility of tomatoes during the rainy season, especially in southern markets.

“We are stepping up tomato production in the South-West through a strategic partnership with the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) in Ibadan. The Federal Government is fully backing this push to scale up production in the South-West and South-East zones,” Oyeleke stated.

He noted that the pilot project covers four states—Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti—where farmers have begun receiving training and support to produce tomatoes suited to southern soils. The aim is to achieve food stability and slash transportation and import costs associated with bringing tomatoes from northern Nigeria.

“We started by training farmers on April 3 using improved NIHORT-developed seedlings that are well adapted to southern climates. These farmers will also receive guidance on fertilizer application and best agronomic practices to improve yields and quality,” he said.

According to Oyeleke, over 300 farmers were involved in the first training round, with over 5,000 targeted before the main planting season begins.

Tomato Production Gap in Nigeria

Nigeria currently produces about 1.8 million metric tonnes of tomatoes annually, but the national demand stands at 3.5 million metric tonnes, leaving a shortfall of 1.7 million metric tonnes, according to data from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

More than 70% of tomatoes consumed in the South are trucked in from northern states like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Jigawa, often resulting in over 45% post-harvest losses due to poor logistics and spoilage.

While the North remains the heartland of tomato farming, states in the South contribute less than 10% to national output. This imbalance, Oyeleke says, is what the current initiative is aiming to fix.

“We are hoping this new programme will enable the South to contribute at least 30–40% of Nigeria’s tomato output in the next few years,” he added.

Farmers React to the Initiative

Mrs. Adeola Adebayo, a tomato farmer from Oyo State, told NAN: “Before now, we relied heavily on northern supplies, and the cost was killing us. With this programme, we’re hopeful for cheaper tomatoes and better incomes for southern farmers.”

In Ekiti, another farmer, Mr. Chinedu Okeke, praised the move: “This is the kind of support we’ve been waiting for. With the right seeds and technical help, we can produce more than enough for our local markets.”

TOPAN says it will continue expanding the initiative to other southern states, including Osun, Ondo, and Delta, while engaging financial institutions to support farmers with soft loans and insurance cover.

By strengthening regional capacity and reducing over-reliance on northern supply chains, the initiative is expected to stabilize tomato prices year-round, reduce food inflation, and improve household nutrition in the South.