Erisco sees FG’s new tomato policy boosting local production

Eric Umeofia, chief executive officer, Erisco Foods Limited, has said that the Federal Government’s new tomato policy will boost local production of fresh fruits.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Umeofia said Nigeria can start exporting the fresh tomato produce if the policy is well implemented.

“We appreciate the Federal Government for the new tomato policy. This confirms that this is a listening government and the policy is a clear demonstration of this,” he said.

“The policy is going to liberate our economy and growth would be recorded. It will boost local tomato production and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” he added.

He urged the government to replicate the tomato policy on other sectors to grow the Nigerian economy, stating that it is a good policy the tomato paste industry and Nigerians have long waited for.

“The policy must be well implemented to be successful. Farmers yield per hectare must be improved and processors should be able to access agro loans at cheaper interest rates of at most five percent.

“The government should set up a committee for proper monitoring and evaluation of the policy. No country can ever be self-sufficient without an efficient manufacturing sector,” he added.

According to Umeofia, the policy will encourage more investment in the industry and create jobs for Nigeria’s teeming population.

Currently, Nigeria imports an average of 150,000 metric tons of tomato concentrate per annum valued at $170 million, mostly due to inadequate capacity to produce tomato concentrate, industry data state.

Tomato demand in Nigeria is put at 2.2 million metric tons per annum, while annual actual production is 1.5 million metric tonnes, but 700,000 metric tonnes are lost to post harvest wastage, leaving only 800,000 metric tonnes supplied to the market, data obtained from the Agriculture Ministry shows.

Large quantity of tomato paste consumed in Nigeria is being smuggled from Benin Republic and Niger due to duty differentials and forex bans, industry sources say.

Josephine Okojie