Govt Promises Robust Local Tomato Policy

• Govt Promises Robust Local Tomato Policy

The Federal Government has assured tomato producers of robust policy to boost local production and stop the importation of tomato paste and create local jobs.

The production of tomato is in line with the on-going economic diversification effort of the government.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enalema who spoke during a facility tour of GB Foods Nigeria, and tomato backward integration project in Kaduna, said the policy is to significantly reduce post-harvest losses of tomato fruits, boost production and attract investment into the entire value chain.

He said the implementation of the policy will also open investment in green house farming and address some challenges faced by tomato farmers in the country.

He said: “The visit to the tomato factory is useful and has reinforced my belief that bigger things can be done in this great country. I like what I saw and I am highly impressed.

“Gino Tomato backward integration project operates on the tomato production value chain from seedling growing, planting, harvesting and production of tomato paste on the farm.”