.The Federal Government says, tackling of pests affecting tomatoes and sugarcane remains it’s priority by curbing the surge to boost their production.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdulahi stated this at the flag off of Emergency Intervention to tackle the spread of Tuta Absoluta and African Sugarcane Borer; pests threatening tomato and sugarcane production nationwide held at the Federal Crop Production Technology Transfer Station in Dan Hassan, Kano State
Senator Abdulahi, who described the outbreak as a national agricultural emergency said that the infestations are affecting harvest, farmers’ income and Agro-Industrial investments.
The minister explained that the initiative will sensitiise farmers and extension workers, provide approved pest control inputs as well as deploy integrated pest management strategies to contain the ongoing spread.
He noted that tomato production remains a major source of livelihood for small holder farmers, supporting millions of job opportunities in farming processing, transportation and marketing.
The minister stressed that timely intervention, farmer education and Federal -State collaboration are essential to prevent further losses while assuring that agricultural inputs distributed under the programme would reach genuine farmers.
While commending President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, the minister said the release of improved tomato varieties in 2025 was part of Federal Government’s efforts to boost resilience in the sector.
Senator Abdulahi used the forum to announce the upgrade of the Pest Control Division to a full Federal Department of Plant Health and Pest Control Services to strengthening response capacity and protecting strategic crops nationwide.
In a remark, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud said that the state’s agricultural policies align with the Federal Government’s efforts to promote food sovereignty and economic diversification.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi explained that the intervention is science-driven and strategic, stressing that Kano State was selected due to it’s roles as a major hub for irrigated agriculture and horticultural production.
Dr. Ogunbiyi therefore advised farmers to avoid indiscriminate pesticide use and to strictly adhere to experts’ guidance to protect public health and the environment.
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