In the past 12 months , Nigeria has suffered from a shrinking economy , a sliding currency , and a prolonged fuel shortage . Now , Africa's largest economy in facing a food crisis as major tomato fields have been destroyed by an insect , leading to a nationwide shortage and escalating prices . The insect , Tutaabsoluta , has destroyed 80% of farms in Kaduna , Nigeria's largest tomato - producing state , leading the government there to declare a state of __26__. The insect , also known as the tomato leaf miner , devastates crops by __27__ on fruits and digging into and moving through stalks . It __28__ incredibly quickly , breeding up to 12 generations per year if conditions are favorable . It is believed to have __29__ in South America in the early 1900 s , and later spread to Europe before crossing over to sub - Saharan Africa . In Nigeria , where tomatoes are a staple of local diets , the insect's effects are devastating . Retail prices for a __30__ of tomatoes at local markets have risen from $0.50 to $2.50. Farmers are reporting steep losses and a new $20 million tomato - paste factory has __31__ production due to the shortages . Given the moth's ability also to attack crops like pepper and potatoes , Audu Ogbeh , Nigeria's minister of agriculture , has warned that the pest may " create serious problems for food __32__" in the country . Ogbeh says experts are investigating how to control the pest's damage and prevent its spread , which has gone largely __33__ until now . Despite being the continent's second - largest producer of tomatoes , Nigeria is __34__ on $1 billion worth of tomato - paste imports every year , as around 75% of the local harvest goes to waste thanks to a lack of proper storage facilities . A further __35__ in local supplies is yet another unwelcome setback to the industry . A . dependent B . embarking C . emergency D . feeding E . grazes F . halted G . handful H . multitude I . originated J . reduction K . reproduces L . security M . terror N . unchecked O . unchecked