Expert urges action as tomato Ebola exceeds N1.5b

Tomato Ebola, also known as Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV), is a destructive disease that affects tomato plants, causing significant yield losses and economic damage to farmers in Nigeria and other countries in West Africa. The disease was first reported in Nigeria in 2014, and since then, it has spread rapidly, affecting thousands of hectares of tomato farms across the country.

According to a recent report by The Nation Newspaper, international crop protection expert, Professor Daniel Gwary, has called on the federal government and the private sector to take urgent action in addressing the growing menace of Tomato Ebola in Nigeria. The disease is estimated to have caused over N1.5 billion (approximately $3.8 million) in losses to farmers in 2020 alone.

Tomato Ebola is transmitted through whiteflies, which feed on the sap of infected plants and spread the virus as they move from plant to plant. The disease is characterized by yellowing and curling of leaves, stunted growth, and reduced fruit yield. In severe cases, the disease can lead to the death of the entire plant.

Professor Gwary, who is also the Director-General of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), expressed concern over the impact of Tomato Ebola on smallholder farmers in Nigeria, who are already struggling with low farmgate prices and other production challenges. He called on the federal government and the private sector to invest in research and development of sustainable solutions to control the disease and protect tomato farmers from further losses.

Some of the measures that have been suggested to control Tomato Ebola include the use of resistant tomato varieties, integrated pest management practices, and the application of pesticides to control whiteflies. However, these solutions can be costly for smallholder farmers, who often lack access to financial resources and modern agricultural technologies.

The Nigerian Tomato Growers Association (NTGA) has also called on the federal government to provide support to farmers affected by Tomato Ebola, including access to credit facilities, extension services, and affordable pesticides. The association estimates that over 200,000 farmers are engaged in tomato production in Nigeria, making it one of the country's most important agricultural commodities.

In conclusion, Tomato Ebola is a significant threat to tomato production in Nigeria, with estimated losses exceeding N1.5 billion in 2020. Professor Daniel Gwary has called on the federal government and the private sector to take urgent action in addressing the disease, including investing in research and development of sustainable solutions and providing support to smallholder farmers affected by Tomato Ebola. The disease is transmitted through whiteflies and causes yellowing and curling of leaves, stunted growth, and reduced fruit yield in infected plants.