An average of 30 million sachets of tomatoes are consumed daily in Nigeria . An average cost of tomatoes sachets is =N=50 ×30 million. Do the maths and understand the huge untapped potentials in this market that is dominated by imported brands from China and Iberian region of Europe.We haven’t even talked about the multiplier effects and the jobs that would be created if we can look inward like Erisco foods.


The economy is nasty this period,some folks might want to use the term recession. That’s what it is. But, what it isn’t is that it not the end. Light always have a way of been there at the end of every tunnel and this is the end. It’s all about creativity and ingenuity. Exchange rates are scarce and high. Nigeria as a country can’t afford to always use the few FOREX to import irrelevants such as tomatoes paste.This can be produced here ! From Bauchi to Kano are known for top class tomatoes. The tomatoes drought which some people term Ebola should t he heard again. The capacity to produce industrially and individually is there. Agriculture is the way out but without adding value to the farm produce… agriculture can’t be the way out we envisage. It is time to add value to the farm produce.

Some simple steps that we can follow in other to have this paste manufactured locally. One thing is that Tomatoes is a food consumed by all, Diabetic, Muslims, Christians and any tribe. Do not worry about NAFDAC bureaucracy and bottle neck for now… just take this few steps and let’s produce tomatoes paste. I call this using your head this period!
How would you love to know how to store tomatoes for a year? As we seem to be in an era of excess tomatoes, wisdom is needed to ensure during the next tomatoes scarcity, we don’t pay exorbitantly for tomatoes. Considering the Agricultural sector is still in its infancy, we still have fruits, vegetables and crops in seasons. Thus we need to plan now for next time tomatoes goes scare!

HOW YOU CAN MAKE TOMATOES PASTE DOMESTUCALLY

Step 1 – Selecting the tomatoes
The best variety of tomato to use: Roma; also called paste tomatoes. They have fewer sides, thicker, meatier walls, and less water. And that means thicker sauce in less cooking time! You may can cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, etc., but they do tend to be more watery, and you must be sure to added the lemon juice as recommended in the recipe, because they tend to be lower in natural acidity.
Also, you don’t want mushy, bruised or rotten tomatoes! Thus by your tomatoes, sort them into ripe, unripe and bruised; then pick the best ripe quality for canning.
Step 2 – Get the jars and lids sanitizing
Get clean jars such as used jam bottles, mayonnaise bottles etc and wash. If you don’t have a dishwasher, submerge the jars in a large pot (the caner itself) of water and bring it to a boil.
Step 3 – Removing the tomato skin
Here’s a trick you may not know: put the tomatoes, a few at a time in a large pot of boiling water for no more than 1 minute (30 – 45 seconds is usually enough) then….
Plunge them into a waiting bowl of ice water.This makes the skins slide right off of the tomatoes! If you leave the skins in, they become tough and chewy in the sauce, not very pleasant.
Step 4 – Removing the skins, bruises and tough parts
The skins should practically slide off the tomatoes. then you can cut the tomatoes in quarters and remove the tough part around the stem and any bruised or soft parts.
Or
Blend tomatoes and boil to dryness
Step 5 – Fill the jars with the whole or cut tomatoes
Be sure the contact surfaces (top of the jar and underside of the ring) are clean to get a good seal!
Step 6 – Add 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice and liquid
After you fill each jar with tomatoes, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice per quart jar, 1 per pint jar. This helps to reduce the odds of spoilage and to retain color and flavor. Then fill to 1/2 inch of the top with either boiling water or hot tomato juice.
Step 7 – Free any trapped air bubbles

for more visit
https://etimesafrica./2016/09/15/tomatoes-paste-nigeria-losing-billion-monthly-on-importations/

Ok

There are so many ways to store tomatoes for up to as long as six months. Check out this post on how to store tomatoes and prevent post-harvest losses http://www.gricd.com.ng/2017/08/21/zeer-pot-affordable-local-storage-technology-for-tomato-preservation/