NAN-AE-5
Importation
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Jan. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Tomato Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure effective implementation of the ban on importation of tomato paste into the country.
The TOGAN Secretary-General, Alhaji Sani Danladi-Yadakwari, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.
He said implementing the ban on the importation of tomato paste was necessary in order to encourage more farmers to embrace tomato production as a business.
“The implementation of the policy will not only boost the production of the commodity but will encourage many farmers to embrace the business,” he said.
According to him, the policy would also encourage those who invested in tomato processing in the country to continue with the business.
Danladi-Yadakwari said that the ban on importation of the commodity would also provide job opportunities in the local tomato processing plants.
“The ban on importation of tomato paste into the country from China will boost tomato production thereby allowing our farmers to produce more and supply same to the processing factories.
“This will provide job opportunities especially to the rural youths and enhance the living standard of our people as well as reduce urban-rural drift,” he said.
He called on the State and federal governments to support tomato growers with soft loans to boost its production, especially in the five states that produce it in large quantities.
On improved tomato seeds, the secretary-general urged the Kano State Government to fulfill the promise it made to tomato growers and provide them with improved tomato seeds.
“The Kano state government recently promised to give our members improved tomato seeds. We want to use this opportunity to remind the government to fulfill the promise,” he added. (NAN)
MTM/EMO
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Edited by Ejike Obeta