Few pests strike such fear into the minds of Nigerian tomato farmers as Tuta absoluta. This tiny yet devastating moth can wipe out entire fields in weeks, causing huge losses for farmers and reducing the supply of fresh produce in communities. In some areas, infestations have been so severe that farmers have abandoned tomato cultivation altogether.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, HortiNigeria partnered with Afri Agri and Koppert to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools to address Tuta absoluta infestations. Together, they organized a series of interactive webinars that reached over 200 farmers, extension workers, and agribusiness service providers across the program’s intervention states.
“With the information received from the webinar, many farmers are now equipped with the right knowledge to address this menace. They can spot it early and take the right steps to protect their farms.”
Dr. Modupe Abidemi, a Deputy Director at Ogun State Agricultural Development Program (OGADEP).
The sessions combined Afri Agri’s local agronomic expertise with Koppert’s proven biological pest control solutions. Farmers learned how to identify Tuta absoluta early, understand its life cycle, and implement an integrated pest management approach, which includes the safe and effective use of biological controls, pheromone traps, and improved monitoring practices that reduce reliance on harmful chemicals.
Designed to be highly practical, the webinars featured case studies and photos, enabling participants to easily apply the lessons to their own fields. Early feedback was encouraging, with several farmers reporting that they could identify the pest for the first time and take preventive action before damage spread.
“With the information received from the webinar, many farmers are now equipped with the right knowledge to address this menace,” said Dr. Modupe Abidemi, a Deputy Director at Ogun State Agricultural Development Program (OGADEP). “They can spot it early and take the right steps to protect their farms.”
To reinforce the training, Koppert recently provided pheromone traps to Tomato Jos, one of HortiNigeria’s key partners, to help them prepare for the coming tomato season. These traps, introduced during the webinars, will serve as both an early warning system and an effective first line of defense.
According to Sebastine Agada, East West Seed- Knowledge Transfer Technical Specialist “In 2024, the infestation reportedly declined by over 90% on HortiNigeria Tuta absoluta demonstration plots in Kaduna and Kano states. The difference was clear: where the strategies were applied, the pest was under control.”
By working together, HortiNigeria, Afri Agri, and Koppert have transformed a major threat into a manageable challenge. Beyond the immediate gains, this partnership is building a network of informed and well-equipped farmers who can share knowledge in their communities, ensuring Nigeria’s tomato value chain is more resilient, productive, and prepared for the future.
HortiNigeria (2021-2025) is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria and implemented by IFDC, together with KIT Institute and East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT).
