FUTA expands cultivation of high-yield Tomato variety Eva F1
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has expanded the cultivation of the Eva F1 tomato variety at its Teaching and Research Farm.
The initiative is being driven by FUTA’s School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) as part of its broader efforts to advance agricultural practices and bolster local food security.
During a recent event, Professor Oluwatooyin Oludahunsi, Dean of SAAT, presented the Eva F1 tomatoes to Vice-Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji. Professor Oludahunsi, alongside farm coordinator Mr. Adeniyi Samuel, highlighted that the tomatoes are cultivated in greenhouses and are available for purchase by the FUTA community and nearby residents.
In her reaction, Vice-Chancellor Professor Oladiji commended the Teaching and Research Farm for its dedication to agricultural innovation and its efforts to train farmers and agro-entrepreneurs in greenhouse production techniques. She stressed that such initiatives are vital for enhancing national food security and urged for the continued cultivation of the Eva F1 variety.
The Eva F1 tomato is noted for its impressive size—five times larger than the standard tomatoes typically found in Nigerian markets—and its capacity to produce paste more than four times that of conventional varieties.
In addition, the Eva F1 maintains freshness for up to two weeks post-harvest, making it an attractive option for both local and commercial applications.
The Eva F1 tomato was introduced to FUTA in 2017, with initial seeds sourced from Israel. Currently, the seeds are obtained from Dizengoff, Nigeria, and grown in FUTA’s greenhouses under controlled temperature conditions.
According to farm experts, the Eva F1 tomatoes reach full maturity within 90 days from nursery to harvest, with a two-month maturation period after transplantation in a greenhouse. With optimal management, a single production cycle can yield between one to two tons of tomatoes over a three-month harvesting period.
Concluding the event, FUTA invited interested farmers and members of the public to learn more about purchasing Eva F1 seeds and receiving guidance on both greenhouse and open field cultivation methods.
