>
The newly commissioned Dangote Tomato Processing Factory in Kano state has suspended operations due to non-availability of raw materials – tomatoes.
The Managing Director of the factory, Abdulkadir Kaita revealed this bit of information to News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Kano.
According to Kaita, the factory, which was commissioned in February, 2016 suspended production due to the lack of its raw materials- tomatoes.
He further said that most of the tomato farms in Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Katsina and Kaduna states were affected by a pest popularly known as “Tuta Absoluta” which killed all the tomato species there.
Besides, the amount of tomatoes needed by the factory is believed to have put pressure on the countries production rate. Many also believe that it comtributed to the current hike in tomatoes in the market.
READ ALSO: The Dangote effect, the price of tomatoes going sky high and the need for Nigeria to wake up