Kano State lawmakers have warned that a severe outbreak of the tomato pest Tuta absoluta – locally known as “Sharon” – is sweeping across the state’s major tomato‑growing districts. The warning was issued by Ahmed Ibrahim, chairman of the Kano State Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, during the presentation of the committee’s findings to the House on Wednesday.
The committee was tasked with investigating the infestation after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by legislator Ali Lawan Kiyawa, who highlighted the pest’s rapid spread in his constituency. Ibrahim’s report confirms that the moth has moved beyond isolated pockets to affect key production areas, including Bagwai, Shanono, Rogo, Tofa, Bunkure, Kura, Garun Malam, Rano, Kibiya and parts of Tudun Wada and Dawakin Kudu local government areas.
Tuta absoluta attacks tomato plants at every growth stage, feeding on leaves, stems, flowers and fruit. Uncontrolled, the pest can decimate entire crops, leading to significant yield losses. “The outbreak jeopardises not only the livelihoods of our farmers but also the state’s food supply and national market,” Ibrahim said, noting that reduced tomato output is already driving up prices across Nigeria.
The committee’s assessment identified the summer months as the peak period for the pest’s proliferation, a pattern that has repeated annually. In response, the committee advanced a set of recommendations aimed at rapid containment and long‑term management. Central to the plan is the immediate allocation of resources to the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), including approved insecticides, pheromone traps, sprayers and protective gear. The committee also urged the deployment of extension officers and technical staff to field sites for early detection and mitigation.
A further recommendation calls for coordinated action between KNARDA and local governments to educate farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and to enforce strict controls against counterfeit agro‑chemicals. Strengthening state‑run agricultural research institutions and fostering partnerships with federal agencies and NGOs were also highlighted as essential to providing ongoing technical support.
To cushion the economic blow to affected growers, the committee proposed direct relief assistance and urged the House to press the state government to treat the crisis as a priority. “Prompt and decisive action will protect our agricultural sector and prevent a nationwide shortage of tomatoes,” Ibrahim concluded.
The declaration comes at a time when Nigeria’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressures from climate variability, pest invasions and supply‑chain disruptions. Observers note that timely intervention could limit losses and set a precedent for handling similar outbreaks in other crops and regions.
The Assembly’s next steps include formal motions to secure funding for the outlined measures and to monitor implementation. Stakeholders are expected to convene in the coming weeks to finalize the emergency response plan, with the hope that swift action will halt the spread of Tuta absoluta and safeguard Nigeria’s tomato production.
