FG out with measures to boost local production of tomato

The Federal Government of Nigeria has come out with measures to boost local production of tomato paste.

Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, revealed the new package at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, “We will increase customs duties for tomato imports and waive tariffs for some farming equipment to stimulate local production and investment in the agriculture sector.

“We are going to go up. We will be announcing what the new tariffs are but clearly there is a new set of tariffs,” he told reporters, without giving further details.

Customs duties on some greenhouse equipment currently amounting to as much as 20 per cent would be removed.

“We are going to restrict imports of finished tomato products that can be produced locally,” the minister said.

The country has been trying to encourage local food production in order to reduce a costly import bill and end its reliance on oil exports.