Dangote tomatoes factory commences distribution of seedlings to farmers
The Dangote Tomatoes Processing Factory yesterday commenced the distribution of high yielding tomato seedlings to tomato farmers under the CBN Anchor- Borrower programme.
During the flag-off of the distribution which took place at the Dangote Agro Input green house, Kadawa, the Managing Director of Dangote Tomatoes,
Alhaji Abdulkarim Lawan Kaita, said 28 hectares would be distributed on the first day to farmers across 10 LGAs in Kano.
He said the programme is targeting about 10,000 hectares and that the seedlings would be distributed continuously until end of December 2019.
He added that the tomato processing factory will buy-off all the tomatoes harvested by farmers under the programme.
“So, right from now, the farmers under this programme have an assured market at a very good price which they agreed to and as such they have no fear of post-harvest loss,” he said.
Kaita reiterated his call on the federal government to place a total ban on importation of tomato paste in order to encourage consumption of locally made farm produce as well as production for export.
On his part, the chairman of the National Tomato Growers, Processors and Marketers (NATPAM), Kano State branch, Sani Danladi Yadakwari, said farmers who would receive the seedlings had already received water pumps and sprayers to wet their farms ahead of planting.
He said adequate measures were taken to ensure that only serious farmers are allowed to take part in the programme to ensure its sustainability.