Tomato and pepper farmers in the Bula community of Akko Local Government, Gombe State, are grappling with severe economic challenges due to a sharp decline in prices. Over the past two weeks, the price of tomatoes has dropped by 90%, with a large basket now selling for ₦1,000, down from ₦10,000. Similarly, the price of bell peppers has fallen by 75%, from ₦40,000 to ₦10,000, and the price of scotch bonnet (hot pepper) has decreased by 68%, from ₦50,000 to ₦16,000.
Alhaji Saleh Maikudi, Chairman of the Tomato Farmers Association in Bula, expressed deep concern over the significant losses farmers are incurring daily. He noted that a single basket of tomatoes now results in a ₦9,000 loss, while a bag of bell peppers and hot peppers incurs losses of ₦30,000 and ₦34,000, respectively.
The situation has become so dire that farmers and dealers are resorting to pleading with customers to purchase their goods, fearing substantial post-harvest losses. Maikudi and others in the community are appealing to both the Federal and Gombe State Governments for assistance, specifically in the provision of processing facilities to mitigate these losses.
Malam Khalifa Bello, Chairman of the Vegetables Sellers Association in Bula, emphasized the urgent need for investment in the tomato value chain, including processing, packaging, and storage facilities. He explained that the current glut in the market, driven by the peak harvest season, has led to a daily transportation of over 1,500 baskets of tomatoes and 2,000 bags of various types of pepper to different parts of the country.
The situation is particularly frustrating for farmers, who only a few months ago were selling a large basket of tomatoes for as much as ₦150,000. Without intervention, the ongoing price drop threatens their livelihoods and the future of farming in the region.