Tomato Jos Farming and Processing Limited has begun manufacturing tomato paste variants for the Nigerian and West African markets.
The new tomato paste variant, which comes in a 65-gram sachet, is made from fresh tomatoes grown in Kaduna State and other parts of Nigeria.
Unveiling the products, which are intended to circulate in the Nigerian market, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency, Khalil Nur Khalil, stated that the state would continue to entice foreign investors despite significant security challenges.
Khalil also praised the company for its faith in the state, stating that the state government would continue to assist Tomato Jos Company whenever the need arose.
Mira Mehta, Founder and CEO of Tomato Jos, said at the event that the investment in the factory has attracted an initial capital outlay of $30 million and an additional N1 billion, and that she was proud to see the dream come true.
“It’s a dream come true,” the American-born entrepreneur said. Though entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, I am encouraged when I see my colleagues’ passion for this business ignite.”
“It is the company’s first consumer product since operations began last year at its multibillion-naira factory in Kaduna state.”
“I am incredibly proud of the Tomato Jos team for their hard work and belief that we could achieve something of this magnitude,” Mehta said.
The facility is Nigeria’s only one of its kind, capable of producing sachet tomato products directly from fresh tomatoes. The product is currently available in Kaduna State, and we plan to expand to other states by the end of 2022.”
Mrs. Yemisi Edun, Managing Director of FCMB, also commented on the development, describing the bank’s funding of the factory as another landmark intervention to boost agribusiness, food security, and food sufficiency in Nigeria.
