In a strategic move to bolster Nigeria's agriculture sector and reduce reliance on imported tomato paste, significant developments have been made under the guidance of Abubakar Bagudu, the current Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. Bagudu's initiatives have led to the cultivation of 47,000 hectares of cassava, as well as promoting bee farming and fishing activities. In 2016, discussions with GB Foods Africa, a Spanish multinational, culminated in the establishment of a tomato plantation and processing facility projected to create employment for 1,000 individuals.
Following the memorandum of understanding, GB Foods Africa initiated construction of an underground irrigation system and imported machinery for the factory. By 2020, the company announced the operational status of its factory, commencing tomato harvesting and concentrate production.
Last Friday, the N20 billion largest single tomatoes farm as well as the second biggest processing factory in Nigeria was formally unveiled by President Bola Tinubu. Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, it was an opportunity for the president to reassure Nigerians that no efforts would be spared to ensure food security in the country. Coming against the background of prevailing headwinds, the inauguration of the tomato processing factory was an affirmation of foreign investors' confidence in the economy.
Source: thisdaylive.com/