(Ecofin Agency) - The Kano State commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Nasiru Gawuna, has revealed that tomato growers in the state lost over N2 billion ($6.3 million) to Tuta Absoluta in 2016.

He said the incidence had led to the destruction of over 1, 480 hectares of tomato in the state.

Gawuna explained that the state government was able to calculate the loss after a committee was set up to evaluate the damage caused by the pest on tomato farms across the state.

Commenting on the development, the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said a lot is being done to reduce the effect of the loss in the state. He explained that recently, his administration approved a sum of N252 million ($806,000) for the purchase of quality tomato seeds and pesticides for farmers in the state. It has also procured 500 units of irrigation hydraulic pumps and also ordered for another 5000 units for distribution to dry season farmers to boost agricultural production across the state.

Anita Fatunji