Dangote Distributes 10,000 Hectare-seedlings to Kano Tomato Farmers

The Dangote Tomato processing factory on Monday commenced the distribution of 10,000 hectares of hybrid tomato seedlings to local farmers in Kano State.

Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution held at the factory in Kadawa, Garin Mallam Local Government Area of the state, the Managing Director of the factory, Abdulkarim Lawal Kaita, said the seedlings were grown by Dangote Agro Inputs Limited.

According to him, the strains were going to be distributed to 10,000 tomato farmers as part of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower programme to boost tomato production in the country.

He explained that the hybrid seedlings would help the beneficiaries to produce minimum of 40,000 tons per hectare, as against their normal 10,000 tons a hectare.

Kaita added that at the end of the production, the Dangote factory had already made an agreement with the farmers to purchase all the yields at the rate of N40 per kilo, making the growers earn a minimum of N1.6 million after harvest.

He further stated that the programme, if actualised, would check the problem of post-harvest loss, stressing that the scheme is very effective towards boosting tomato production and banning its importation.

He said: "These seedlings have the capacity to produce from 40 to 100 tons per hectare. It will make the farmers to make at least N1.6 million per season. It is part of CBN's anchor borrower programme to boost local production of tomato in Nigeria.

 

"The CBN is also planning to also support 100,000 tomato growers across the country by next year. So, we call on the beneficiaries to make use of this golden opportunity provided to them by the CBN."

Kaita also explained that the distribution would start with 28 hectares across 10 local government areas of the state, adding that it would continue up to December until all the 10,000 beneficiaries from the 44 local councils of the state get the seedlings.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Kano State chapter of National Tomato Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Sani Danladi Yadakwari, said the CBN, under the Anchor Borrower programme, had agreed to give loan to the tomato farmers to boost its production.

He said the farmers also had an agreement with the Dangote factory to grow the seedlings using its greenhouse facility.

Yadakwari explained that also, part of the agreement was that the company would purchase all the yields at N40 per ton,  adding that the CBN would also support the beneficiaries with N50,000 each as upkeep for the tomato production.

"Now as the farmers begin to receive the seedlings, most of them had prepared their farmlands for the planting. Each farmer would be given N50, 000 as upkeep for the farming.

"As an association, we have to ensure a farmer has planted his seedlings before receiving the money. This programme is very effective and profitable. Each farmer will not spend more than N120, 000 for the farming, but will get a minimum of N1. 6 million after harvest," he said.