Tomato paste is imported into the country despite the production of tomato in large quantities.  Some of the challenges militating against local manufacturing of tomato paste include scarcity of processing grade tomato fruits, poor yield per hectare, high post-harvest losses, high production cost and competition from cheap imports from abroad. The major cause of low yield per hectare being experienced by most tomato farmers in the country is the lack of cultivation of improved variety seeds with high yield potentials. Most farmers record between 15-30 MT/ hectares using local varieties as against improved, but expensive varieties that attain 90MT/hectares.

The Council has increased farmers access to improved seeds across the states of the federation. Tomato farmers in Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Niger, Kano and Kaduna States have received a total of 387kg of improved open-pollinated seeds.  Over 700 farmers have been trained on improved agronomic practices and the council has resuscitated traditional seed saving practice in partnership with a local Community based seed saving programme in Plateau State. Over 56,000 MT of processing grade fresh tomato fruits added to the national output

Within a period of 6 years, over 700 farmers have benefitted from training on best agronomic practices resulting in cheaper seeds made availability through the seed saving/multiplication scheme.  Through these efforts, tomato processing industry in the country can now source their industrial tomato locally.