THE SKYROCKET PRICE OF TOMATOES

For anyone conversant with the price of food stuff in Nigeria, or let me say Lagos at the moment, you will agree with me that it is not business as usual.

If you attempt to grind N500 worth of pepper, an amount that used to fill our average pots normally, just know that while grinding you might not even get a scoop. The soaring price of pepper and other food items has been attributed to the recent fuel hike, since sellers have t pay more to transport these foods from the northern parts of the country. Also the upcoming Ramadan is another reason linked to the hike in prices of these commodities.

Women can totally relate to this issue, I was in the market just the other day and got talking with the woman who sells Vegetables, she and her friends lamented that they have now resorted to eating on Egusi soup as what is required of Egusi soup mostly is dried pepper, which is still easy to afford.

My jaws dropped  after hearing this information and I asked if it had gotten to that level. They all responded in the affirmative. That is why I always advocate that every one should own a little garden somewhere in their compounds,especally if you are lucky enough to own your own home, a little garden where crops such as Tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, Oranges and the likes are grown will hurt nobody.

In my Parent's home in Ijebu, there are an array of fresh fruits and vegetables to pluck and harvest, they may not be in large quantities but at least it will serve your immediate family.

We need to cultivate the habit of planting or is it gardening in Nigeria and not depend solely on commercial farmers.

So in order for us to eat what we like whenever we like,all hands must be on deck, I know it might be argued that houses in Lagos are congested, true that, but there are also houses with enough spaces used as parking lots!

The government should come to the aid of farmers, we cannot continue to buy four pieces of tiny Tomatoes for N200,it is ridiculous. Something needs to be done and done fast.