Tomato Jos, an agricultural production company, says it has “commenced” a $5 million tomato processing plant in Kaduna state.
The company, which operates a commercial farm system, made the announcement via its Twitter handle on Monday, 27th of January, 2020.
“Today, the 27th of January, 2020, we commence our most audacious project yet; a 5million dollar tomato processing plant in Kaduna State,” the tweet read.
The plant which is to utilize raw materials from a 400 hectare tomato farm established by the company is to be commissioned in 2021.
The factory will produce 85 tons of tomatoes daily creating Over 7,500 jobs as the company targets 10% of total tomato paste consumed in Nigeria.
According to the Company, “The farmers who partner with us will receive support during the growing season, and are guaranteed a fair, consistent price when their crops are ready for harvest, once our product hits the market, the consumers will get to eat fresh, delicious tomato paste while supporting the Nigerian economy,” a statement on its website read.
At the ground breaking ceremony was in attendance the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, Executive Secretary KADIPA Umma AbokiMira Mehta CEO Tomato Jos and the Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
The Governor stated his delight, “Today we are delighted that Tomato Jos is expanding its investment in our state by taking a leap from growing tomato and other crops to building a facility that makes tomato paste,”
“With its farm, Tomato Jos has impacted on this community, creating jobs and impacting its out growers with modern farming techniques and roads to the market.
“Kaduna state is the number one producer of maize, tomatoes, soya beans, ginger and sorghum.
“We are calling on big investors like Tomato Jos to move to Kaduna state and produce more of these agricultural products,” he said.
Nigeria is reported to be Africa’s third-largest importer of tomato paste, importing from China and some other Asian countries.
A functional Tomato factory saves Nigeria hundreds of dollars, Create jobs, improve technical know-how, reduce crime rate, improve standard of living and better GDP growth.
Together, we can make Nigeria Win.
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