From Waste to Opportunity
In Nigeria, more than 50 percent of harvested tomatoes are lost annually due to poor post-harvest management. Insufficient storage facilities, transportation challenges and limited processing options mean that smallholder farmers, who produce 90 percent of the country’s tomatoes, often see their hard work literally rot away before reaching consumers.
Despite tomatoes being a staple in Nigerian kitchens and a major agricultural commodity, the challenges facing this sector continue to diminish farmer incomes and worsen food security.
Ironically, despite producing these vast quantities of tomatoes, Nigeria still faces a supply deficit of approximately 500,000 metric tonnes, forcing the country to import tomato paste to meet demand.
This paradox reflects the deep gaps in the value chain, where farmers struggle with gluts and waste during harvest season, while households simultaneously face shortages and high prices.
For women who depend on farming for both food and income, this cycle has brought repeated lost opportunities and financial strain.
Rahinatu and her team harvesting tomatoes
“Almost every household in my community cultivates tomatoes. Most times, the market supply is far higher than the demand, so farmers end up dumping unsold tomatoes as waste. During peak harvest season, you can see heaps of rotting tomatoes, with their foul smell spreading through the community” Rahinatu Lawal, a tomato farmer in the Bunkare community in Kano state
Empowering Farmers, Building Resilience
This trend is being decisively changed by Rahinatu and others in her community. A Farmer’s Field and Business School, established under the Acting Now project, has been providing farmers with crucial training in post-harvest loss management for fruits and vegetables. Participants learn practical methods of tomato preservation, helping them to reduce losses, sustain incomes and improve food security, especially during the off-season.
After gaining these new skills, Rahinatu teamed up with her co-wife to process and bottle part of the tomatoes they harvest from their farm. Now, they are able to sell these preserved tomatoes during the off-season when fresh produce is scarce.
“I no longer watch my tomatoes go to waste during the peak harvest season. With the skills I gained, I now process and preserve tomatoes for sale, which provides me with an alternative source of income. I started last year with just six litres of preserved tomatoes, from which I earned 35,000 naira (21 euros),” says Rahinatu.
“It was encouraging because what would have been a total loss to my family is now putting money in my pocket. This year, I have processed 20 litres, and waiting for the dry season to sell them”.Rahinatu Lawal
The Acting Now Project’s Wider Influence
Rahinatu says she is now able to cook for her household without worry, even when fresh tomatoes are scarce or too expensive. Her story is one of many examples of women transforming the knowledge from the Farmers Field Business School into successful businesses.
According to Ogochukwu Akunna, Solidaridad’s Acting Now Project Coordinator in Nigeria, “Through the schools, women and youth are being supported with skills and innovations on how they can turn potential post-harvest losses into sustainable income”.
She adds that the initiative aims to raise awareness of agribusiness opportunities within communities to ultimately strengthen food security.
The Acting Now project supports thousands of farmers like Rahinatu across Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Ogun states in Nigeria. Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative supports farmers in building sustainable livelihoods, improving food security and strengthening their communities. With the goal of reaching 23,000 farmers, the project promotes the sustainable production of fish, potatoes, maize, fruits, vegetables and other essential crops– helping to improve food systems and resilience across Nigeria.