Nutrition agency tackles tomato harvest loss

Nigeria is set to reap improved gains from the tomato value chain, as the Post-harvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition (PLAN), expands its capacity building/training for citizens on appropriate processing methods and packaging technologies.
   
The recent training, held in Kaduna, had 30 participants from both public and private sectors as PLAN, an initiative of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), seeks to maximise Nigeria’s nutrition potential from tomato, in which it ranks as the 14th largest producer globally with an estimated annual output of 1.8 million metric tonnes.
   
According to PLAN, in spite of the high production rate, the demand gap is hardly met due to the colossal post-harvest losses occasioned by poor post-harvest management industry, thereby leading to low consumption of nutritious foods and reduced income for farmers.

The aim is to help participants acquire the requisite knowledge to set up and operate small-medium scale processing/packaging operations in their different communities, while also acquainting them with the nutritional values of tomato, including Vitamins A and C needed for improved immunity, wellness and sustenance.
   
Meanwhile, PLAN has urged government across all levels to provide access to capital, and the enabling environment for farmers and all participants in the tomato value chain to succeed and as well reduce the nation’s unemployment rate, while contributing to the growth of the economy.