The Federal Government, in partnership with the Dutch-funded HortiNigeria programme, has approved a 50 per cent Credit Risk Guarantee (CRG) for tomato crate financing — a landmark decision expected to unlock over ₦500 million in intervention funds and transform Nigeria’s tomato value chain.
Country Representative of the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) and Programme Director of HortiNigeria, Mohamed Salasi Idris, disclosed this on Thursday during the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS) held at Murtala Square, Kaduna.
Idris announced that the Credit Risk Guarantee for the Tomato Plastic Crate Association had been raised from 30 per cent to 75 per cent within one year, a move he said will increase lender confidence, attract private sector financing, and strengthen the tomato supply chain.
“We are happy to report that the Credit Risk Guarantee for the Tomato Plastic Crate Association, which was at 30 per cent, was raised to 50 per cent last year, and now, with NIRSAL’s support, it has reached 75 per cent,” he said. “This expansion will enable more farmers, traders, and crate producers to access financing and reduce post-harvest losses.”
He explained that the use of plastic crates instead of traditional raffia baskets is already changing the face of tomato logistics in Nigeria, significantly reducing damage to produce transported from northern farms to southern markets.
“In the past, farmers lost nearly half of their produce when transporting tomatoes from Kaduna or Kano to Lagos,” Idris noted. “The introduction of plastic crates has drastically cut those losses, and with increased financing, we expect even more efficiency and profitability across the value chain.”
According to him, the ₦500 million intervention fund facilitated through NIRSAL will support the expansion of plastic crate production and distribution in major tomato-producing states. He added that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Tomato Policy Committee to modernise Nigeria’s horticulture sector.
Funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands, HortiNigeria is implemented by a consortium led by IFDC in collaboration with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT), KIT Institute, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
Idris described the government’s approval as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s horticulture industry, noting that the partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture, improving farmer incomes, and strengthening food security.
