Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms has harvested its first batch of tomato produce which was planted using hydroponic technology. Not only is this technology well positioned to revolutionize Nigeria’s tomato industry, it could also contribute to the overall growth of the agricultural sector.
Owned by Captain Idahosa Okunbor, it is located on 27 hectares of land in Benin, Edo state. It also consists of 28 hydroponic greenhouses which are 5,440 square metres each, making it the largest of its kind in West Africa.
Photo credit: Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms
In a speech during the harvesting ceremony, Chief Executive of Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms, Captain Idahosa Okunbor said the company’s target is to meet local demand and export tomatoes by producing an estimated 4,200 tonnes valued to generate $6 million yearly.
Photo credit: Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms
“The Nigerian economy has grown three times its size and the agricultural sector has contributed 27 percent to this expansion. However, the agricultural sector accounts for only 9 percent of exports while crude oil accounts for over 70 percent. It is estimated that Nigeria imports $360 million worth of tomatoes annually, this first Wells Hosa Greenhouse project is not even scratching the surface, we still have a lot of work to do around the country to ensure self-sufficiency and import substitution whilst generating our own dollar inflows through exports,” he said.
Photo credit: Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms
