Abeokuta, Nigeria – The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has embarked on a significant initiative in a bid to combat the ongoing tomato shortage and soaring prices in Nigeria. The university has planted over two hectares of tomatoes, a move expected to bring relief to the market later this year.
The project is not solely focused on immediate results. FUNAAB’s Farm Practical Year (FPY) students played a key role in cultivating the seedlings – over 60,000 in total – before transplanting them to the university’s Soilless Farm in Ogun State. This hands-on experience provides invaluable agricultural training for the students, preparing them for future careers in the field.
Professor Babatunde Kehinde, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s progress during a recent inspection visit. He highlighted the project’s dual benefits: addressing the current market shortage while equipping students with practical agricultural skills.
The harvest is anticipated for the end of September 2024, with Professor Kehinde expecting “a bountiful harvest” that will offer “relief to both consumers and sellers alike.” He has also called for wider collaboration to expand the project’s scope, including the cultivation of pepper alongside the Cobra and Platinum tomato varieties already planned.
