ibironkeeniola 
Dangote Farms has commenced the distribution of hybrid tomato seedlings to tomato farmers in Kano state. The agri-firm plans to distribute 6,500 hectares worth of tomato seedlings to farmers before the year runs out.
Speaking at the official flag-off of the exercise in Kagawa, Kano State, Managing Director of the firm, Abdulkarim Kaita revealed that the aim of the exercise, under the Central Bank’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), is to boost production output in order meet the demand of tomatoes processing plants in the state.
In his words, “Today is the first day we are releasing the seedlings to them and the distribution is continuous and on a daily basis. And today we are starting with 28 hectares.
“10,000 farmers are going to benefit from this programme and by next year, CBN has promised to help another set of 100,000 farmers across the country.” He added.
Kaita said that the factory would purchase all the products under the ABP at a good price, while also assuring the farmers that the current farming season shall be rid of incessant losses.
“All the labor they put in, they hardly get more than 10 tonnes per hectare, while the hybrid seedling varieties introduced will produce 40, 60, 80 to 100 tones per hectare using the best practices,” he said.
Chairman of the National Tomato Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Sani Yadakwari, commended Dangote Farms, CBN and the Federal Government for the initiative saying that the project would help in reducing post-harvest losses and increase their production.
According to Yadakwari, the pilot tomato ABP would benefit 10,000 smallholder farmers, selected from the 44 local government areas of the state.
He revealed that each of the beneficiaries will be given one hectare worth of seedlings, while large scale farmers will receive three to four hectares worth of seedlings.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA