By Samuel
Leading food brand, GBfoods has partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kebbi State Government, and the Emirate of Yauri to establish a N20 billion Tomato processing factory in the state.
The factory which has the largest single tomatoes farm in Nigeria is said to be the second-largest in the country and the only fully backward integrated plant in West Africa.
It is also projected to be the largest fresh tomatoes processing factory in sub-Saharan Africa.
The firm through the project has created about 1,000 jobs in different areas and will engage over 5,000 smallholder farmers as out-growers.
Country Manager of GB Foods, Mr. Vincent Egbe noted that the company’s aim for the project was to achieve food security in the country, particularly in the tomato farming sub-sector.
He said, “The opening of this processing factory is a great milestone for us. It further demonstrates the company’s commitment towards helping Nigeria achieve its food security ambitions, in this case, of self-sufficiency in tomato concentrate production.
“We will continue to work with the Federal Government towards food security and local production and processing of fresh tomatoes.
“ The company is dedicated to reducing pre and post-harvest losses and also developing the value chain so as to improve revenue streams for tomato farmers.
“Over the past three years, in the three states of Kaduna, Katsina, and Kebbi, GBfoods has worked with smallholder out-growers to boost their incomes by providing seedlings, fertilizers, training, and irrigation pumps, further to reduce post-harvest losses GBfoods also provided free plastic crates to farmers.
“GB Foods is working with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the CBN to make Nigeria not only a shining example in food security but also to become the food basket of Africa.”
The factory will work in two capacities: the first for tomato processing in the dry season and the second for soybean processing in the wet season.
Speaking also, CEO of GB Foods Africa, Mr Viçenc Bosch said that the company would train the farmers on agricultural practices and provide them with farm inputs like seedlings, chemicals, and irrigational facilities.
“The factory is fully backwardly integrated to the company’s farm and dedicated out-growers. In the coming tomatoes season, the plant will source most of its raw material from out-growers who will grow the tomatoes on their own farms and from GBfoods’ owned and operated farm”, he stated.
Bosch expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, Kebbi State Government, and the Ngaski Local Government Authorities for their support.