A Detailed Guide on Tomato Farming in Kenya

Tomato is a member of the Solanaceae family which includes crops such as Irish Potato, Sweet Pepper, Chili and Egg Plant. Tomato is one of the most produced and consumed vegetables in Kenya and an important cash crop for large scale and smallholder farmers which is highly profitable if planted, cared for and managed well. It is mainly grown in open fields, however green house tomato production is growing in popularity. It is a nutritious crop that is rich in Vitamin A, C and Lycopene. It is eaten fresh, added to salads, cooked as a vegetable or processed into tomato paste, jam, sauce, puree, and juice.

Tomato Farming in Kenya: How To Do It Without Burning Your Fingers

Varieties

There are determinate and indeterminate tomato which refers to the growth habit

Determinate

Determinate tomatoes are small, compact plants. They grow to a certain height, stop then flower and set all their fruit within a short period of time. The harvest period for determinate tomatoes is generally short, making them good choices for canning.

Indeterminate

Indeterminate tomato varieties continue to grow and set fruit until frost, while determinate (or bush) tomatoes reach their mature height, set all their fruit at once, and stop growing at a predetermined size. All tomato plants are vines, but indeterminate tomatoes grow much longer than determinate varieties.

well-staked tomato crop at Naivasha Farm

Determinate Varieties.

a. Rio Grande

It is a fresh market and processing variety. The plant is slightly bushy and can be staked or left unstaked. It is quite tolerant to verticillium and fusarium wilt and a maturity period of 75 – 85 days after transplanting. It gives a yield of 18,000kg per acre.

b. Assila F1

It is a determinate variety and early maturing in a period of 75 days. It is tolerant to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus and nematodes. It produces fruits with an attractive red color with oval shape and heavy sweet fruits. It gives a yield of 23,000kg per acre. It is a good storage quality and easy to transport.

c. Kilele F1

This is a medium to early maturing determinate type. It is suitable for drier or humid areas and disease tolerant to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus, Tomato Mosaic Virus, Verticillium, Fusarium Wilt and Nematodes. It has firm and elongated and has a shelf life of 21 days. It has a maturity period of 75 days after transplanting.

It has a yield of 30,000 – 35,000kg per acre. It is an open pollinated determinate variety that is tolerant to Verticilium and  Fusarium Wilt. The plant produces red blocky shaped fruits and are easy store and transport well. The maturity period is 75 - 85 days after transplanting and has a yield of 11,000 – 13,000kg per acre.

d. Eden F1

It is a determinate and vigorous growing variety has a good tolerance to Alternaria Canker, Verticillium Wilt, Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes and Bacterial Speck. It produces deep red blocky fruits and have a long shelf life. The maturity period is 75 days after transplanting and a yield of 40,000-50,000kg per acre:  9 – 10 kg per plant.

 Rambo F1

 A determinate variety that’s vigorous with uniformly set and firm fruits. It has tolerance for Bacterial wilt, Bacterial spot, Fusarium wilt, Verticilium wilt and Nematodes. It has a maturity period of 75 days after transplanting and a yield of 30,000kg per acre with  good shelf life and transport quality

Anna F1

It is a hybrid and indeterminate fresh market variety that produces blocky oval red fruits that have a long shelf life, tolerance to Fusarium, Verticillium Wilt, Alternaria Stem Canker and Nematodes. It is an ideal greenhouse Tomato with a maturity period of 75 days after transplanting and a yield of 64,000kg.

Other Determinate varieties grown in Kenya include Fortune Maker F1, Novel, Nuru, Valoria F1 and Zawadi F1.

Other Indeterminate varieties grown in Kenya include Nemoneta, Tylka F1 and Prostar F1

Cherry Tomato Farming Venture in Kenya

How to Pick Varieties.

The selection of a variety needs to be based on the growth habit, disease resistance or tolerance: indicated by initials after variety name, for example “F” for fusarium wilt, “N” for nematodes. You need to look at the fruit type, that is, shape, size and color. The market requirement will determine fruit type, that is for processing it needs an intense red color and more solids and for fresh market, the shape, color and size vary.

Hybrid or open pollinated varieties give higher yields but are more expensive

Tomato crop seedlings

Optimal Ecological Requirements

Tomato can be cultivated up to 2,000 m above sea level.Tomato performs well in areas that receive over 600 mm of rainfall annually and it should be well distributed throughout the growing season. Tomato performs well in warm climatic conditions with temperatures of 20 – 25 degrees Celsius and 15 – 17 degrees Celsius respectively. They require well drained sandy loam, or clay loam soils. The optimal soil pH range is 6.0 – 7.5.

Raising Seedlings

Tomato can be established through the nursery or directly seeded. Normally, it is raised in nursery before transplanting. The seed rate is about 40 – 75 grams per acre. The seed trays can also be used to raise seedlings.

Nursery Site Selection

The nursery should be sited in a plot that has not been planted with a member of Solanaceae family for the last 3 years. Choose a site with good drainage.

Nursery Establishment

Prepare a seedbed of 1 meter width and of a convenient length. Make drills on the seedbed at a spacing of 10 – 20 cm apart. Thinly sow the seeds in the drills and cover lightly with soil.

Management of Nursery

Water the nursery regularly. Harden the seedlings 1 – 2 weeks before transplanting by reducing the frequency of watering and gradually exposing the seedlings to direct sunlight. Insects such as whiteflies can transmit viruses to young tomato plants hence should be controlled using recommended. These insects can be blocked from reaching the seedlings by use of an insect proof net.

Transplanting

The seedlings are transplanted 30 – 45 days after seed sowing.  It is recommended that transplanting should be done either early in the morning or late in the evening .

Spacing

Spacing range from 75 – 100 cm between rows by 40 – 60 cm between seedlings depending on the variety. The plant population per acre range from 6,600 to 13,000. Appropriate spacing produces short, stocky plants with good root system

Fertilizer

Apply 2 – 3 handfuls of manure per planting hole, 10 g of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) per planting hole, approximately 80 kg per acre. Apply Muriate of Potash (MOP) to enhance availability of potassium

Water Requirement

Tomato is sensitive to water deficit immediately after transplanting, during flowering and fruit development. Plants should be provided with adequate water. Tomato plants are sensitive to water logging and flooded fields should be drained within 1 – 3 days

Irrigation

Furrow and drip irrigation are the most effective methods. Furrow irrigation minimizes spread of fungal diseases such as Early Blight. Drip irrigation on the other hand is efficient on water utilization. Overhead irrigation encourages spread of diseases such as Early Blight.

Weeding

Avoid bruising the roots during weeding and this can be done through use of appropriate weeding tools. Generally, keep the field weed free as much as possible to avoid competition for nutrients, sunlight and moisture. Weeding Tomato field when the soil is wet can increase the spread of some bacterial and fungal diseases.

Top-dressing

Tomato crop should be fertilized with organic and inorganic chemical fertilizers to produce high yields. Top-dressing fertilizer such as CAN should be applied in 2 splits at 40 kg and 80 kg per acre at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting. Use the circular band around the stem application method. Inadequate top-dressing can result into physiological disorders such as hollow cavities and poor taste in fruits due to potassium deficiency, blossom-end rot due to an imbalance between Nitrogen, Calcium and soil moisture.

Also see Lettuce Farming in Kenya: Step-by-Step Process for Farming Lettuces

Crop Management

Training and Staking

Indeterminate varieties need staking/training to facilitate pruning, harvesting and other cultural practices. Determinate varieties may be staked in wet season or mulched to prevent fruit contact with the soil. Staking materials can be wooden stakes, bamboo or any sturdy material. Strings, plastic strips or other material can be used to train the plant to the stake.

Pruning

This practice is necessary for the indeterminate varieties. It involves removal of side shoots, extra flowers, fruits and diseased leaves. It leads to early maturity of fruits and encourages fruits to increase in size and uniformity. Sterilize pruning blades by use of chlorine bleach and water at a ratio of 1:1. Use of unsterilized blades, and smoking can lead to spread of diseases like Bacterial Wilt.

Pests and Diseases

Pest damage causes a reduction in quality and quantity of produce. The following are the major pests of Tomato in Kenya, African Bollworm, Red Spider Mites, Tobacco Whitefly, Root-knot Nematode, Thrips and Tuta absoluta.

Management

Tilling and ploughing of old tomato field exposes pupa to desiccation and natural enemies. Planting of trap crops like cucumber, maize and African marigold which attract the pest before it attacks tomatoes: there is need to synchronize planting of both maize and tomatoes so that they flower at same time. Also use of recommended selective pesticides in managing the pests.

Diseases

Disease infection leads to reduction in quality and quantity of produce • The following are the major diseases and physiological disorders of Tomato in Kenya: a. Damping-off b. Late Blight c. Early Blight d. Bacterial Wilt e. Tomato Mosaic f. Blossom-end Rot and Fusarium Wilt.

Management

Use certified seed and avoid locating the seedbed on infested field. Avoid excessive fertilizer application and watering to young seedlings while still at nursery bed. Practice crop rotation. Remove all volunteer crops that are more susceptible to this disease and prune and stake in order to improve air circulation and reduce humidity. Don’t forget to sterilize your pruning tools.

Harvesting

Maturity period of the tomato crop range between 3 – 4 months after transplanting depending on the variety and environmental conditions. Tomato crop can be harvested at different stages depending on the market requirement and distance to the market. 

There are four main harvesting stages, mature-green Stage where the fruit is green but internal gel is well developed, breaker or turning stage: up to 30 % of fruit surface has definite color break from green to yellow, Pink or Light Red Stage: 30 – 90 % fruit surface has pink or red color and Red or Ripe Stage: over 90 % fruit surface has changed to red color. Fruits should be harvested early in the morning when it is cool since the fruit temperature is low. Harvested fruits should be kept in a cool, shaded and ventilated area in order to minimize heat gain. Where necessary, wipe fruits to remove dirt. The yields vary from 12,000 – 40,000kg per acre depending on the variety and crop husbandry.

Tomato Crop Harvest

5. Post-Harvest Handling

Tomatoes are normally packed in wooden & plastic crates. Sorting is done to remove damaged or diseased fruits. Grading is done depending on the uniformity of ripening and fruit size. There are three main tomato grades, Grade 1: big size fruits of uniform color and shape, Grade 2: medium size fruits of uniform color and shape and Grade 3: small size fruits with slight variation in color and shape.

Pruning: The Importance of Pruning in Fruit Trees Management

We are always happy to hear from and help you. If you would like help in tomato farming, like getting high quality seedlings, advice on the best pest control methods and more, do not hesitate to call us on 0724698357/0723213602

• Cost per seedling- Ksh. 5
• Seedlings per acre- dependent on variety
• Spacing- 45cm by 60 cm
• Fruit price- determined by market supply and demand
• Yield-  12,000-40,000kg per acre dependent on tomato variety
• Common pests- African Bollworm, Red Spider Mites, Tobacco Whitefly, Root-knot Nematode, Thrips and Tuta absoluta
• Common diseases- Damping-off, Late Blight, Early Blight, Bacterial Wilt, Tomato Mosaic, Blossom-end Rot and Fusarium Wilt.
• Lifespan- determinate: 6-8 months, Indeterminate: 2 or more years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much can an acre of tomatoes produce in Kenya?
• How long do tomatoes take to mature?
• What are the steps of producing tomatoes?
• How profitable are tomatoes?
• How much is the cost of producing tomatoes in Kenya?