Dansa Agro-allied Company Ltd has denied the allegation publicised by Bloomberg which stated that the tomato processing company was about to shut down due to the escalating problem of smuggling in the country.

Speaking with AgroNigeria, the Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Abdulkareem Kaita, refuted this claim, saying that the tomato plant is still operational but is closed for the wet season which is a worldwide practice.

Kaita said that the system is practised across the globe and follows the farming calendar of tomato, noting that tomato does not do well in wet seasons and winter.

In Kaita’s remarks, “The report publicized on Bloomberg was quoted out of context. I announced that we are now closed due to the fact that we are off the tomato season which is a worldwide practice.

“Tomato does not do well during the wet season and winter season, so as we will resume operations at the beginning of the next season which starts from November to May,” he said.

Kaita said that it is no secret that the tomato processing plant was also facing the scourge of smuggling, like every other agro-business in the country. He said it is for this reason that the company is advocating for a total ban of tomato concentrate and all tomato products to ensure that local production is enhanced.

The Managing Director also bemoaned the incessant rise in the smuggling of foreign products into the country, stating that local packaging companies are refusing to patronise Dansa’s products.

He reiterated that the company is still open and operational and drew into cognizance some projects being initiated by the company especially the establishment of a Green House for massive production of tomato seeds; seeds that will be distributed to local tomato farmers.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA