Nigeria's Kaduna state declares 'tomato emergency'

A state of emergency has been declared in the tomato growing areas in Nigeria’s Kaduna state.

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Daniel Manzo Maigar said a moth called the Tomato Leaf Miner, or Tuta Absoluta, has ravaged 80 percent of tomato farms. 

He said 200 farmers together lost at least one billion naira over the past month. 

The price of a basket of tomatoes has increased from less than two dollars to more than 40 dollars today. 

Reports say the state has sent agricultural officials to Kenya to meet experts on the Tomato Leaf Miner to learn how to deal with the pest.
 
BBC