Building on previous initiatives to combat the devastating impact of Tuta absoluta on tomato cultivation, HortiNigeria launched a comprehensive campaign in 2024. With the support of key partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), the National Institute for Horticulture (Nihort), EWS-KT, Koppert and Afri Agri (Koppert distributor for Nigeria), the campaign aimed to raise awareness among stakeholders about the menace of Tuta absoluta, educate stakeholders on effective solutions and connect farmers with agro-solution providers.
Employing a multichannel strategy that combined social media outreach with in-person engagements, the campaign reached over 3,000 participants, primarily through digital platforms. Participants ranged from smallholder farmers to agro-dealers, all unified by a shared commitment to tackling Tuta absoluta.
Farmers who adopted the promoted solutions have recorded healthier crops, stronger yields, and renewed confidence in tomato cultivation. Mary Yakubu, a determined contestant, used the proceeds from her vegetable sales to dig a well, securing a reliable water source that strengthened her farm’s resilience. Her leadership has inspired other women in her community to pursue agriculture with renewed purpose. Bara’atu Sha’aibu, successfully turned her field around, mobilizing and training women in her village. Meanwhile, Ussaini Umar celebrated a second harvest, attributing his success to the pest management strategies acquired through the initiative.
An inspiring story from the field
“Yesterday, I went to Galma Market to buy paper to wrap my tomatoes for shipment to Abuja. People were surprised to see such fresh tomatoes at this time of year. Many approached me asking, ‘Are they for sale?’ and ‘Where did you get these tomatoes?’ I simply smiled and replied, ‘I’m the farmer, I grew them myself.’
They were even more curious about how I managed to grow healthy tomatoes despite the Tuta absoluta outbreak. I explained the simple and effective methods I used, and they were genuinely impressed. Some even took my number to learn more. I was warmly welcomed, they bought me drinks and gave me shelter from the rain. Truly, farmers are excited and eager to embrace this innovative approach to fighting Tuta absoluta.”
Positive impact of IPM
Last year, demonstration plots in Kano State compared an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, utilizing Tutasan and Pherodis Tuta against conventional farmer practices. The results were so dramatic that no final yield comparison could be made: tomatoes in the IPM plots were of such high quality that they were stolen before harvest!
Counts on the number of moths trapped and number of damaged tomato leaves in the IPM treatments versus chemical control clearly show the effectiveness of IPM treatments.