‘Nigeria to rethink plantain and tomato agro policy’

Nigerian agricultural policy makers have been advised to consider the significance of plantain/banana and tomato production. They should come up with a method of sustainable production that will check excessive wastage during the harvest.

This call went out from Dr Abayomi Olaniyan, the acting Executive Director of Nigeria’s National Horticultural Research Institute, speaking at a workshop on the plantain/banana and tomato value chains.

Tribuneonlineng.com quoted Olaniyan as saying: “Plantain/banana and tomato in recent times have become more important both at the domestic and foreign market. Plantain is an important food and cash crop with outstanding and proven medical and industrial relevance. It is a major staple food in Africa, and its sustained production must be considered at the national and global agricultural policy levels. Excess plantains are produced during the season, leading to wastage. This excess produce can and should be stored in the form of plantain powder.”

“The tomato is one of the most important vegetables grown in Nigeria. It is an essential cooking ingredient. It is a valuable raw material in processed products. There is a need to process tomatoes in order to reduce seasonal gluts and inconsistent year round supply.”