Dr Ololade Latifat Abdulrahman

Nigeria | Agriculture is the backbone of sustainable development globally, playing a vital role in national development. Investing in the agricultural sector can address hunger, malnutrition, climate change, poverty, and unsustainable production and consumption practices, as well as issues related to water and energy use. The Tomato Value Chain (TVC) is a crucial component of Africa's food system, contributing significantly to the continent's economy, accounting for 48.2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Akhtar et al., 2022)

However, the sector faces several challenges, including climate change and weather variability, which cause significant economic losses (Adeleke et al., 2022). Climate change affects global agricultural production, which has a detrimental effect on livelihood. Climate-related challenges pose a significant threat to the financial viability of tomato production, resulting in increased production costs and reduced income for farmers. This economic strain can hinder progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty alleviation and responsible consumption. This hurts production and exacerbates post-harvest (PH) losses. Addressing these vulnerabilities is crucial for ensuring food security and economic stability in Nigeria, as the country has the potential to become a global leader in tomato production and exports.

Despite a large area of approximately 541,800 hectares being harvested for tomatoes in Nigeria, farmers on average generate the lowest yields in Africa, at 4–7 MT/Ha, which is significantly lower than the average global yield of 38.1 MT/Ha [FAOSTAT]. Out of the 3.6 million tons of fresh tomatoes produced in Nigeria in 2022, over 50% were lost due to poor handling of pH levels. Understanding the adaptive capacities of Tomato Value Chain actors and the vulnerability factors predisposing them to losses will be crucial to enhancing their climate resilience.

The political landscape surrounding agriculture in Nigeria involves navigating challenges such as insecurity, which exacerbate the impacts of climate change on the tomato value chain. Effective policy interventions are crucial for enhancing adaptive capacity among farmers and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. Dr Abdulrahman's study will highlight the need to enhance the adaptive capacity of tomato value chain actors. The implementing strategies include improved crop management, better pest control, and infrastructure investments to reduce post-harvest losses. Strengthening the resilience of tomato farmers and marketers will enhance collaborative efforts to address food insecurity and social networks at the local and national levels. This, in turn, will foster social cohesion, community solidarity, and empower communities to advocate for their needs.

The vulnerabilities faced by tomato farmers due to climate change can lead to social unrest if not addressed. Food scarcity can exacerbate tensions within communities, underscoring the need for inclusive approaches that consider the voices of all stakeholders in the value chain. The education and enlightenment of farmers about the impacts of climate change and adaptive practices will help foster a sense of belonging and agency among them. This empowerment can enhance social cohesion as communities implement sustainable practices that benefit all members. The tomato value chain is a complex system that involves multiple actors. These actors are vulnerable to the impact of climate change, which is affecting their livelihoods. Further challenges in the tomato value chain include the poor storage system. There is a need to develop the adaptive capacity of tomato value chain actors to enhance their resilience to climate change. This study seeks to empirically measure the climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity of tomato value chain actors in Nigeria.

Her study will be conducted in the Kano and Kaduna States, Northwest Nigeria. The states were chosen based on the predominance of tomato production and their supply to other states in Nigeria. The study's target population will comprise all actors in the tomato value chain: input suppliers, farmers, marketers, transporters, processors, and consumers. 

Dr Ololade Latifat Abdulrahman, a Lecturer at Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria, holds a PhD in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from the University of Ilorin in 2020. Abdulrahman is a member of various professional bodies, including the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON), the Rural Sociological Association of Nigeria (RuSAN) and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS). She is a distinguished academic and researcher known for her multidisciplinary contributions to the uptake and transfer of agricultural innovations for rural livelihoods, climate change resilience, and gender studies. Abdulrahman was awarded the Young Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI) Scholarship in 2015. A five-time recipient of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) research grants at both institutional and National levels between 2016 and 2025 as principal and co-researcher. She is a member of the team that won the Gender and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network (GRAIN) grant in 2023. Dr Abdulrahman has over 45 published articles.