By Al Humphrey Onyanabo
THERE COMES a point when a situation becomes so dire that silence is no longer an option. That point is now — and the crisis is tomatoes and peppers. Yes, the very foundation of Nigerian cuisine, the lifeblood of every stew, soup, jollof rice, and porridge. We are sounding the alarm because it has become that bad.
Today, to make a modest pot of stew, families are spending upwards of N10,000 just on tomatoes and peppers. How did we get here? These are not luxury goods. These are basic kitchen staples. And yet, they have become the most price-unstable commodities in the Nigerian market. One day they’re affordable, the next they’ve skyrocketed — and stay there.
Even worse, the hardship is spreading across all essential food items. Chicken, fish, meat, and vegetable oil are now luxuries for many households. Families are cutting back, skipping protein, watering down soups, and stretching meals beyond reason. This is no longer about inflation — it’s a full-blown food crisis.
It is time for the Nigerian government to declare a national emergency on food, starting with tomatoes and peppers. This is not just an agricultural issue — it is about survival, nutrition, and economic justice. Government must intervene with bold policies: invest in massive greenhouse farming, subsidize inputs for local farmers, fix transport and storage infrastructure, and stabilize food prices with real intent.
But while we wait, we must also help ourselves. Every household needs to start a small home garden. Whether you live in a compound, a flat with a balcony, or even a one-room space — you can grow something.
How to Start a Simple Home Garden:
1. Containers: Use buckets, old bowls, paint containers, sacks or plastic bottles. Make holes at the bottom for drainage.
2. Soil: Get rich, dark soil. Mix it with a little sand and compost (food scraps, dried leaves, or manure).
3. Seeds: Buy tomato and pepper seeds or seedlings from local markets or agricultural shops.
4. Planting: Sow the seeds in small pots first, water lightly and place in sunlight. Once they sprout and grow stronger, transfer them to larger containers.
5. Sunlight & Water: Tomatoes and peppers need 5–6 hours of sunlight daily. Water them early in the morning or evening. Don’t overwater.
6. Care: Weed regularly, use natural compost, and support growing plants with sticks.
Start small. One pepper plant today could save you N500 tomorrow — multiplied by ten, it could save you thousands.
We must become a nation of food warriors — growing, sharing, and protecting what we eat. This is the time to act. Not just for our pockets, but for our health, dignity, and future.
