The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has stated that the scarcity of tomatoes in some parts of Nigeria is caused by “severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner”.

According to reports, a lot of Nigerians have resorted using tomato pastes and other alternatives in their cooking as the price of fresh tomatoes increase.

In a post on X on Monday, May 27, 2024, Kyari stated that the government has taken action to resolve the issue.

He said: “A significant number of our tomato farms have been affected by a severe infestation known as Tomato Ebola or Tomato Leaf Miner. This has drastically reduced the availability of tomatoes and contributed to rising costs.

“Our ministry is taking immediate action to combat this issue. We are deploying agricultural experts to affected areas to contain and eliminate the infestation.

“Additionally, we are supporting our farmers with the necessary resources and guidance to recover their crops as quickly as possible, just as we instituted the Ginger Blight Control Taskforce.

“We understand the impact this has on your daily lives and are working tirelessly to resolve the situation and restore the supply of affordable tomatoes. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.”

He added that about N309bn was invested into the country's economy through harvest in 2023, as a way of ensuring food security.

The minister made the disclosure while giving an update on the achievements of the ministry at the ongoing 3rd ministerial sectoral update, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.