The economic hardship faced by average Nigerians, who constitute the majority of the population, may soon become unbearable as the price of tomatoes and peppers has significantly increased in major markets across Lagos State.
Market women in the Egbeda area of Alimosho confirmed the alarming price surge. Mrs Ronke Saliu, who sells these commodities at the Bammeke bus stop in Shasha area, stated that the price increase also applies to another type of pepper known as “Bawa,” which has skyrocketed to N55,000 from its former price range of N15,000 to N20,000.
Many sellers have suspended the sales of these commodities due to the sharp increase in prices caused by the devalued Naira.
The scarcity and soaring prices of tomatoes and peppers have been attributed to complaints from marketers, particularly from the Northern part of the country, regarding the infiltration of their farms by pests, which have caused significant destruction. Other farm produce such as carrots and beans have also been affected by the invasion of pests, according to Malam Aliyu, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune.
Aliyu appealed to the federal government to assist farmers by providing them with soft loans to purchase the necessary chemicals to combat the pests and prevent further destruction of farm produce.
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