Tomato and onion growers in Nigeria face crisis as extreme heat slashes yields

Farmers in Nigeria’s key agricultural regions face steep production and financial losses as extreme heat disrupts the cultivation and transport of staple crops such as tomatoes and onions. Temperatures in Kano State—a central tomato-producing area—consistently exceed 95°F, exceeding the crop’s optimal growing range of 59°F to 90°F.

“Our tomatoes can’t survive the journey to market anymore,” said Fatima Musa, a tomato farmer in Kano. “By the time we transport them, half are already bad.” Musa’s experience reflects broader trends affecting agricultural output across the country, where post-harvest losses are estimated to average 40%.

The onion sector is facing similar challenges. “More than half of our production is wasted after harvest due to inadequate storage, limited preservation technology, and unreliable transportation,” said Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, president of the National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN). The reported 50% loss rate underscores the sector’s vulnerability to infrastructure shortfalls and climate variability.

Experts warn that these losses pose a growing threat to food security and farmer livelihoods. “We produce enough food in Nigeria, but we waste almost half of it before it reaches the market,” said Dr Adeola Fakorede, an agricultural economist. The lack of access to cold storage facilities often forces farmers to sell crops at reduced prices or dispose of unsellable produce, undermining income and inflating consumer costs.

The rising heat is compounding pressures during the Muslim fasting period of Ramadan, when many farm workers struggle to maintain productivity under high temperatures while observing religious obligations.

In response, Nigerian agricultural institutions are seeking adaptive solutions. The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute is working to expand cold storage infrastructure across the country. Concurrently, researchers are developing climate-resilient crop varieties through genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR, aimed at improving temperature tolerance and reducing spoilage.

Some farmers also adopt new irrigation and planting techniques to better withstand fluctuating climate conditions. However, experts caution that without broad investment in storage, transport, and research, crop volatility and waste will continue to strain Nigeria’s food system.