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The management of the Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, on Wednesday said that it has concluded plans to produce 800,000 tonnes of tomatoes to cushion the effects the shortage of the fruit in the country.
The statement came nearly 24 hours after the Federal Government announced that the pest, Tuta absoluta, also known as “Tomato Ebola”, had invaded six states.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, explained during a press briefing in Benin that the tomatoes would be produced annually by the institution’s Faculty of Agriculture.
He stressed that emphasis would be placed on quality and quantity, during production in order to boost food security.
Izevbigie said, “We are making an audacious statement that Benson Idahosa University is poised to produce 800,000 tonnes of tomatoes to ameliorate the present shortage in the supply of tomatoes in Nigeria in the next one year.
“We are at a risk of food insecurity; that is what is happening now. If you have food security, you will have plenty of food available. But food security in this country is being threatened.”
He noted that, with the abundance of land, Nigeria could be self-sufficient in forage crops production, adding that the soil and conditions were highly suitable for the production of forage crops.
Nigerians are expectant!
Resource: The Punch
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