North-East NATPAN Leaders Engage Stakeholders, Hail Federal Government Support

Zonal Chairmen of the National Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States have convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in the North-East zone, bringing together key actors across the tomato value chain.

The meeting attracted tomato farmers, processors, marketers and members of the Association’s Board of Trustees, with deliberations centered on strengthening collaboration, addressing challenges within the tomato sector and promoting sustainable growth in tomato production and marketing across the zone.

Speaking during the engagement, the Zonal Chairmen commended stakeholders for their resilience and continued commitment to NATPAN despite prevailing economic and climatic challenges affecting agricultural production in the region. They emphasized the importance of unity and collective action in overcoming constraints facing tomato growers and marketers.

The Chairmen paid special tribute to a son of the soil, the Federal Director of Horticulture at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Yerima Uba, for his outstanding contributions to the development of horticulture and tomato farming in the North-East. According to them, his consistent technical support, policy guidance and timely interventions have significantly strengthened farmers’ capacity and boosted stakeholder confidence within the tomato sector.

Stakeholders at the meeting also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its continued support, noting that ongoing agricultural reforms and intervention programmes are beginning to yield positive results in tomato production, processing and value addition.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Zonal Chairmen conveyed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his commitment to food security, agricultural transformation and overall economic development of the country.

They further applauded the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari, for his leadership and dedication to improving farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, extension services and market opportunities nationwide. 

The stakeholders noted that the Minister’s policies and initiatives have renewed hope among tomato growers, processors and marketers, particularly in the North-East zone.

The meeting also commended the leadership of the National President of NATPAN, Alhaji Abdullahi Alhassan Ringim, describing his administration as inclusive, progressive and farmer-focused.

 The Zonal Chairmen credited his leadership with strengthening unity within the Association and ensuring effective representation of members’ interests at national and policy-making levels.