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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The federal government has declared war on the growing threat posed by two destructive agricultural pests ravaging Nigeria’s food sector.
The outbreak of Tuta absoluta, a notorious tomato pest and the African Sugarcane Borer has severely disrupted food production, raising concerns over supply stability and farmer livelihoods.
Speaking at the flag-off of an emergency intervention programme to tackle the menaces at the Federal Crop Production Technology Transfer Station in Dan Hassan, Kano, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the initiative was designed to equip farmers and extension workers with the tools and knowledge needed to curb the infestations.
He explained that the intervention will sensitise farmers, distribute approved pest control and other agricultural inputs and provide technical guidance on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. The initiative also includes an emergency response mechanism aimed at containing ongoing outbreaks, particularly in heavily affected areas.
According to Abdullahi, the move accentuates the federal government’s commitment to strengthening food security, protecting farmers’ livelihoods and building agricultural resilience.
He noted that frontline agricultural states such as Kano, where tomato and sugarcane farming are critical to both local consumption and industrial supply chains, remain a priority under the programme. According to him, “tomato is not only a widely grown and eaten vegetable in the country but also a major money-maker for smallholder farmers.
“The country is one of Africa’s top tomato producers, and the crop supports millions of jobs across production, processing, transport and marketing.”
He noted that post-harvest losses and pest infestations, especially Tuta absoluta, have continued to undermine farmers’ productivity and livelihoods
He added that sugarcane production has created jobs in farming and processing, reduced imports, and led to by-products like ethanol and bio-energy, noting that the African Sugarcane Borer has been a major threat to productivity
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The Minister described the pests as a national agricultural emergency, impacting harvests, farmer income, and agro-industrial investments.
He stressed that timely government intervention, farmer sensitization, and federal-state collaboration are crucial to addressing the issue
He applauded the support of President Bola Tinubu’s support to the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) in April 2025 which released two improved tomato varieties- HORTITOM4 and HORTITOM5 that are adaptable to the country, adding that the intervention also aligns with the Agenda
He assured that the Ministry’s officials with the state government and farmers’ leaders would ensure that the inputs reach the right farmers.
He revealed the upgrading of the pest control division to a full-fledged Federal Department of Plant Health and Pest Control Services in line with the Federal Government’s goal of farmer protection from devastating outbreaks, safeguarding strategic crops, and promoting sustainable, climate smart as well as environmentally responsible agriculture, among others. He commended the Abba Kabir Yusuf-led government for giving agriculture a top priority and described Kano State as one of the great pillars of agricultural production in Nigeria, particularly in the cultivation of tomato and irrigated farming systems.
The Minister called for collaboration in combating the pest menace, urging beneficiaries to use the Free Agricultural Inputs wisely, following expert advice, and avoiding reckless pesticide use that could harm health, environment, among others. In his remarks, the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahoud, lauded the federal government geared towards achieving economic diversification and food sovereignty. Governor Yusuf added that the State Agricultural initiatives were in line with Federal government agricultural transformation. The event, the agric ministry noted, was a crucial step towards safeguarding Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and empowering farmers to manage key pest challenges
The ministry said the choice of Kano State was deliberate, noting that it remains a major hub for irrigated agriculture, horticultural production, and agro-processing in Nigeria.
According to the ministry, this intervention is strategic, science-driven, and grounded in partnership, underscoring the government’s commitment to reposition agriculture as a cornerstone of national development.
Extension workers and stakeholders would be sensitised on early pest detection, safe and approved control measures, best agronomic and field hygiene practices. The ministry added that there would be intervention and empowerment through the provision of approved pest control inputs, farmers guide/practical manual and personal protective equipment. The government would provide technical guidance from trained extension and plant protection officers to minimise crop losses and prevent further spread across farming communities and adjoining states.
