The National Institute of Horticultural Research (NIHORT) trained 50 unemployed youths and women, in Ondo State on value addition in tomato production, to promote food security, employment opportunities, and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Director/ Chief Executive Officer, of NIHORT, Dr Mohammed Attanda, during the training in Akure, the Ondo state capital, disclosed that processing tomatoes will reduce seasonal glut and inconsistent year-round supply and reduce the quantity of tomatoes imported into the country.
The training was organized in partnership with the member representing Akure North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Mayokun Lawson Alade, and aimed to equip trainees with skills on how to improve tomato production.
NASC Destroys Vegetable Seeds Over False Information, Poor Packaging
Attanda, who was represented by the Director of Research at the institute, Dr. Olagorite Adetula, claimed  that the training was organized to achieve sustainable economic empowerment and growth in the commodity value chain of tomatoes.
The Executive Director lamented that despite the fact that Nigeria is the 14th largest producer of tomato in the world and second in Africa, it is the 13th largest importer of tomato paste in the world and third largest in Africa, explaining that the short life span of the storage of tomatoes has contributed to the high post-harvest losses (35–130%) experienced in the commodity value chain.
NASC Destroys Vegetable Seeds Over False Information, Poor Packaging
Hon. Mayowa, Lawson Alade, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Alade Oladapo, urged the participants to take full advantage of the program by expanding their existing skills in tomato farming to become self-reliant.
Dr. Joel Akinfasoye, a researcher, while giving an overview of the workshop, noted that the training is a call towards the nation’s drive to economic growth, as it builds the capacity of the participants, especially unemployed youths and women.
