by Chi Ibe

The authorities at the Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, today said they will produce 800,000 tonnes of tomatoes‎ in reaction to its shortage across the country due to the pest, Tuta absoluta also called ‘Tomato Ebola’.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie,‎ said this during a press contender in Benin.

According to him, the tomatoes will be produced annually by its Faculty of Agriculture.

Izevbigie said, “We are making an audacious statement that Benson Idahosa University is poised to produce 800,000 tonnes of tomatoes to ameliorate the present shortage in the supply of tomatoes in Nigeria in the next one year, Izevbigie said.

“We are at a risk of food insecurity; that is what is happening now. If you have food security, you will have plenty of food‎ available. But food security in this country is being threatened.”

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