TOMATO PRODUCTION e_LEARNING MATERIAL.
TOMATO PRODUCTION LEARNING MATERIAL.
Scientific classification of tomato.
Kingdom: Plantae (plant)
Phylum: Mangnoliophyta (flowering plant)
Class: Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae (potato family)
Genus: Solanum (night shade)
Species: Solanum lycopersicum
Origin of Tomato.
Tomato originated in the Andes region of South America including the present today Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and North Chile. With the wild ancestor being the "Solanum pimpinellifolium" small and yellow in colour, later a large "lumpy variety" evolved in meso-america potentially becoming the ancestor of some modern cultivated tomatoes.
The Aztecs and Incas grew tomatoes as early as 700AC.
Tomatoes where viewed with comparison to poisonous nightshade family plants such as Belladonna and Mandrake due to their resemblance, cultivated for decoration.
Tomatoes were introduced to Europe in the 16th Century. In the 17th Century, they became popular throughout Europe. The french called tomato "pomme d' amour (love apple) as it was believed to have aphrodisiacal properties.
Tomatoes made their way to Africa primarily in the 19th Century, spreading from Middle East to various parts of the continent. Introduction of tomatoes played a significant role in the development of dishes like Jollof rice, particularly in West Africa.
Facts about tomato.
The English word "tomato" comes from the Aztec word "tomato" translated as plump thing with a navel.
Tomatoes were first cultivated by Aztec and Incas as early as 700AD.
Tomatoes originated in the Andes mountains specifically the present Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and North Chile.
Tomatoes were introduced to Europe in the 16th Century and in the 19th Century in Africa.
Tomato fruit botanically belong to "berry family".
There over 10,000 varieties of tomato world wide.
Tomatoes come in a variety of colours including yellow, bronze brown, pink, purple and black.
Tomato are mostly water with (94-95)% moisture content.
China is the largest producer of tomatoes accounting for an approximate quarter of the world's total population.
Spain has an annual festival called La-Tomatina, where people throw tomatoes at each other.
Tomato juice is the official state beverage in Ohio state in USA.
Germany is the largest importer of tomatoes followed by USA.
Tomatoes are good source of Vitamin C, Calcium, Lycopene and Potassium.
The Guinness world record for the most tomato harvest from a single plant over one year was 32,194 tomatoes harvested between May 2005 and April 2006 and the plant weighed (522.464)kg
The largest tomato ever recorded weighed (3.5)kg.
Tomato seedlings have been grown in space.
The largest single tomato plant in the world covered an area bigger than an Olympic size swimming pool.
Classification of tomato varieties.
Tomatoes are classified into; Determinate and Indeterminate tomatoes.
Determinate tomatoes.
Are also known as dwarf or bush tomatoes. They are characterized by their compact growth habit and concentrated harvest period.
Determinate tomatoes grow to a specific height, produce all their fruits within a short period of (2-3) weeks and die.
They are associated with a concentrated harvest whereby all fruits ripen and are harvested at the same time, ideal for processing.
They are suitable for regions with shorter growing season since they produce all their fruits in a short duration and die.
They require less extensive staking suitable for container gardening and smaller gardens favoured by theirs compact growth habit.
Examples of determinate tomatoes include Eden F1, Rambo F1, Cal J, Assila F1, Kilele F1, Rio Grande, Marglobe.
Indeterminate tomatoes.
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow vertically and produce fruits throughout the growing season until the environmental conditions are unfavourable.
Indeterminate tomatoes have a vining growth habit hence require staking support structures like tall poles, cages as they grow.
Indeterminate tomatoes have an extended harvest known to produce fruits over a longer period, providing a steady harvest of tomatoes through out the season.
They require extensive agronomic practices like desuckering to boost production of uniform shaped and sized tomatoes throughout the season. Desuckering enhance plant life span prolonging the production period.
Indeterminate tomatoes require more space due to their vining growth habit.
Indeterminate tomatoes require more water and fertilizers than determinate varieties due to their extended production seasons.
Examples of indeterminate tomatoes include Anna F1, Bonny best, Money marker and Cherry tomatoes.
Common tomato varieties.
1. Rio Grande
It's a determinate variety with definite growth pattern and fruiting period.
Fruits are oval blocky in shape, weigh between (110-120)g, deep redin colour with high viscosity and good soluble solids hence suitable for processing.
Rio Grande are reported have fewer seeds has suitable for processing.
Rio Grande have a firm texture and relatively higher shelf life easing transportation.
It has a maturity period of (75-80)days from transplanting.
Rio Grande is resistant to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt disease as well as tolerant to early and late bright.
It's well adapted to both hot days and cold nights.
Rio Grande yeilds (18,000)kg per acre.
2. Assila F1
Assila F1 is determinate early maturing variety with a period of (75) days after transplanting.
It produces oval shaped, red heavy sweet ripe fruits with an extended shelf life of about (2-3) weeks.
Assila F1 is tolerant toTomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYCV) and nematodes.
It has a relatively high yield of (23,000)kg per acre.
3. Kilele F1
Kilele F1 is a determinate early maturing variety with a maturity period of (75) days after transplanting.
It produces elongated, red fruits with a firm epicarp and higher shelf life beyond (3) weeks.
Kikele F1 is tolerant to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus, Tomato Mosaic Disease, Nematodes, Verticillium and Fusarium wilt disease.
It's suitable to drier and humidy areas.
Kilele F1 has a relatively high yield of about (30,000-35,000)kg per acre.
4. Cal J
Cal J is an open pollinated determinate variety with a maturity period of (75-85)days after transplanting.
It produces red blocky shaped fruits with a shelf life of about (2) weeks.
Cal J is tolerant to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt.
It has a low crop yield of about (11,000-13,000)kg per acre.
5. Eden F1
Eden F1 is a determinate a vigorous growing variety with a maturity period of (75) days after transplanting.
It produces deep red blocky shaped fruits with a shelf life of about (3) weeks.
Eden F1 is tolerant to Alternaria canker, Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, Nematodes and bacterial speck.
It has a high yielding rate of about (40,000-50,000)kg per acre with (9-10)kg per plant.
6. Rambo F1
Rambo F1 is a determinate and vigorous growing variety with a maturity period of (75) days after transplanting.
It produces a uniform set of firm fruits with a good shelf life.
Rambo F1 is tolerant to bacterial wilt, bacterial spot, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt and Nematodes.
It has a yielding rate of (30,000) kg per acre.
7. Anna F1.
Anna F1 is a hybrid indeterminate variety. It best suited for green house condition with a maturity period of (75) days after transplanting.
It produces blocky oval shaped fruits that have a long shelf life.
Anna F1 is tolerant to Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Canker, Nematodes and Alternaria stem.
It has a yeilding rate of about ( 64,000)Kg per acre with (18) kg per plant for a production period of (8) months.
8. Money marker
Money marker is an indeterminate tomato variety with a maturity period of (75-85) days.
It produces smooth,robust and uniform medium sized, bright red fruits with a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
Money maker is a versatile and reliable variety suitable for growing either in the green house or outdoor.
It's tolerant to fruit cracking and resistant to Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Tomato Mosaic and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl.
Each plant produces around (200) fruits per season.
9. Bonny best.
Bonny best is indeterminate variety prized for it's better taste.
It produces from round, deep red uniform sized tomatoes in clusters.
Bonny best is characterized with a dependable production and adaptable to changing environmental weather conditions.
10. Ansal F1
Ansal F1 is a hybrid variety developed by East-West seed company with a maturity period of about (65-75) days.
It produces firm texture, deep red colour and good size.
It resistant to Bacterial wilt and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus with almost twice the yeild of local varieties.
Tomato Plant Anatomy.
A tomato plants a herbaceous plant with vining and branched stem growth habit. It has roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits and hairiness.
Roots
The tomato plant has a tap root system that anchors the plant firmly in the soil and also absorbs nutrients and water for the plant.
Tomato plant has adventitious roots that grow from the stem, stimulated by stem contact to the soil, deep planting, plant stress response and trenching. Adventitious roots enhance nutrient uptake and plant support especially when the main root system is damaged.
Tomatoes with adventitious roots can be used as cutting for vegetative propagation.
Stem.
Tomato plants are herbaceous annual crops meaning their stem don't lignify and they dieback at the end of the growing season.
Stems have small, trichomes hair like glands that secrete sticky protective substance.
Stems are green hence photosynthesize. Stems often forms series of branching stems from axil buds (suckers).
Leaves.
Tomato leaves are odd-pinnated compound leaves with each leaf having (5-9) leaflets.
Leaves range between (10-25)cm in length with a serrated margin often hairy adapted to reduce transpiration.
Flowers
Flowers occur in clusters (inflorescence) with a five pointed lobes of petals, small and yellow in colour. The flower consist of (5) stamen and a single pistil.
Flowers can be self pollinated meaning flowers can produce fruits without external pollinators. However cross pollination enhance genetic diversity, improved fruit quality and increased yeild.
Fruits.
The fruit is a berry. It's initially green and matures to various colours like red, yellow, orange, purple, black depending on the variety.
Fruits are freshly round or oval shaped known for it's sweet savory flavor.
Hairness.
Tomato plant have hair like structures called glandular trichomes which secrete oily substance used as a defensive mechanism to protect the plant from pests, pathogens and extreme conditions like drought and cold. It also contribute to the plant unique scent.
The oil and other substances produced can be sticky or toxic to insects deterring them from feeding on the plant. They also interfere with the pathogens.
The oily substance from the trichomes can cause yellowing or even black discolouration of the skin upon contact a condition known as "tomato skin".
Trichomes aid to regulate moisture and temperature trapping air to insulate the plant.
Environmental conditions suitable for tomato growth.
Tomato thrive in warm, sunny conditions with specific temperatures, rainfall and humidity requirements.
Adequate sun light duration of atleast (8) hours a day favour tomato growth.
Optimum environment temperature range of (20-29) and soil temperature (18-29) favour tomato growth. Extreme temperatures lead to stunted growth.
Well distributed rainfall range of (600-1500)mm annually favour proper growth of tomatoes. Tomato need consistent moisture but extreme watering lead to root rot.
Optimal humidity range of (60-85)% favour growth of tomato.
Tomatoes are suited for well drained, fertile sandy loams, loamy or clay loam soils with an optimum pH of (6.0-7.5).
Tomato are adapted to wide range of altitude from (1-2000) meters above the sea level.
GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF TOMATOES.
Tomatoes have a productive lifespan of (4-9) months depending on the variety classification, growing conditions and care they receive. The growth and development stages of tomatoes are categorized into germination, seedlings development stage, vegetative growth, flowering development stage, fruiting stage.
Germination stage.
Tomato undergoes Epigeal germination. The germination process initiates the life of tomato plant whereby favourable temperatures (18-25)⁰C, optimum moisture content and proper aeration promotes the seed imbibition process, embryonic radicle development and Hypocotyl development. Germination process lasts for a duration of (5-10) days.
During the imbibition process the seed absorbs water from the surrounding by means of diffusion resulting to the swelling of the seed hydrolysis of stored seed food and enzyme activity to initiate embryonic development.
The radicle embryonic initiates as the seed respires leading to cell division and cell elongation hence radicle growth. As the radicle grows it absorbs nutrients from the surrounding and anchors deep in the soil.
The hypocotyl emerges after the radicle, the hypocotyl shoot ascends above the ground level with two embryonic leaves known as "cotyledon unfurl". The hypocotyl absorb nutrients from the endosperm associated with cell division and cell elongation during growth.
The cotyledon leaves unfolds as the parchment layer drops and photosynthesis begins, stimulated by sunlight presence.
Seedling development stage.
It's a critical phase of development, spans for (3-4) weeks as the seedling resilience is tested and analysized.
Adequate light, consistent moisture and stable temperatures are essential to nurture the seedling development stage. At this stage the first true leaves emerge, signifying the start of independent growth as the seedlings unfurl their true leaves, they begin to resemble the tomato plant.
With each new leaf set, the seedlings ability to absorb sunlight and nutrients increases, fueling the tomato growth. By the end of the seedling development stage, the seedling proves to thrive, growing steadily under field like environmental conditions.
Vegetative stage.
During the tomato vegetative stage, plants energy is dedicated to producing new leaves and stems. It is characterized with rapid cell division and elongation leading to significant leaf and stem expansion.
Notable changes in the plants complexity become evident as it develops lush canopy of leaves, vital for photosynthesis and energy reserve. The root system expands anchoring the plant and increase its ability to absorb water and nutrients.
Nitrogen liquid fertilizer application is essential at this stage for vigorous vegetative growth. Adequate soil moisture and DAP application support robust root growth and cell and tissue development whereas adverse condition like flooding, drought, disease and pests can adversely impact vegetative growth leading to reduced growth rate or stunted growth.
The vegetative stage lasts between (4-6) weeks.
Flowering stage.
It is a crucial phase where the plant produces small yellow flowers, signaling the start of the reproductive growth. This stage typically occurs (5-8) weeks after transplanting.
Indeterminate varieties flower continuously to produce fruits throughout the growing season while determinate varieties flower and produce all their fruits over short period.
Optimumal temperifor flowering around (21-24)⁰C and it's crucial to supplement the plant with adequate water and nutrients particularly phosphorus to support flower and fruit development mitigating risk of flower abortion.
Fruiting stage.
Pollination initiates fruit development process. Tomato flowers can be self pollinated by wind or even by shaking the plant gently. However cross pollination by insects enhance genetic diversity and improves quality of tomato fruits.
During this period, the plant prioritize channeling it's resources into fruit growth hence it is crucial to fesucker tomatoes to discourage further vegetative growth to enhance fruit size and quality. Watering adjustments are crucial as the fruits start to colour as less water enhance flavour and pigment. Also sun exposureis essential to prevent fruit sunscald and promote uniform ripening.
Application of Calcium nitrate fertilizer prevents tomato blossom end rot.
Tomato fruits increase in size during growth, unripe tomato contain chlorophyll which gives them a green colour. During ripening chlorophyll degenerates and the green colour fades. The plant synthesis carotenoids pigments like Lycopene responsible for the red colour in ripe tomatoes.
Advantages of Home Grown Tomato.
Home grown tomatoes are often flavourful and nutritious because they are picked at their peak of ripeness. They also have a better taste and texture.
Freshly grown tomatoes are packed with nutrients and antioxidants with low noxious chemicals hence healthy for consumption.
Growing home food is a rewarding experience to connect with nature and providing a sense of pride in food secure household.
Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants linked to diverse health benefits.
Growing tomatoes can be an educational support relating to plant biology, soil science and pest control.
Growing tomatoes equips growers with agronomic practical skills.
Participation in tomato agronomic practices and sharing harvests within a household fosters a sense of ownership and builds connection.
Growing household tomatoes reduces food miles, minimize waste and can be a more sustainable practice.
Promotes conservation of genetic diversity of tomato varieties.
Home grown tomatoes promotes a saving culture and utilization of availability resources.
Promotes transfer of practical skills and production knowledge to the young generation.
Nutritional and Health benefits of Tomatoes.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene antioxidants which offer protection against cell damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Contain potassium, vitamin B and E that contribute to health heart function and regulate blood pressure.
Consist Vitamin K essential in bone health and blood clotting.
Carotenoids in tomatoes aid to improve eye sight.
Contain fibers which enhance digestibility and promote gut health.
Contain low calories and high in fibers which can help in weight management.
Consist of calcium essential for bone development and health.
Consist of Beta carotene which improves cognitive function, especially in older individuals and partially reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Contain folate (Vitamin B9), vital for cell growth and development, red blood cell formation and reduce the risk of neural defects during pregnancy such as Spina bifida.
It's rich in lycopene hence reduces the risk of cancers such as prostate, lung and gastric cancer.
TOMATO SEEDLINGS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
Effective tomato seedling nursery management involves careful preparation of the nursery bed, proper planting techniques, watering and fertilizer application and hardening off before transplanting.
Tomato seedling nursery aims to protect seedlings from harsh environment condition, extreme temperatures, humidity, diseases and pests.
For efficiency seedling production farmers are adapting seedling tray.
Nursery bed preparation.
Prepare the nursery bed on a well drained, fine soil to ease root development.
Deep plough and loosen the soil to encourage uniform germination. Slightly raised the seedbed (30)cm from the surrounding for proper soil drainage.
Create rows of (15) cm apart to reduce intra- competition for resources, ease weeding operations, improve ventilation in the seedbed.
Plant seeds shallowly about (1) cm deep since tomato seeds are small with low food reserves to fuel the germination process.
Maintain appropriate spacing between seeds of (3-5)cm to prevent intra competition.
Mulch the nursery seedbed to create favourable temperature conditions and conserve soil moisture content to enhance rapid germination for a period of (3-5) days.
Water the nursery but avoid water logging to prevent diseases and seed rot.
Apply nitrogenous liquid fertilizer to enhance vegetative growth when seedlings have established their first set of true leaves.
Regularly inspect seedlings for pests and diseases.
Hardening off
Involves gradual acclimatization of tomato seedling to harsh out door field conditions, typically lasting for (2) weeks.
Hardening off prevents seedling transplant shock and ensure a smoother transition from the modified environment to the real harsh environmental temperatures, humidity, wind, sunlight intensity and duration.
Transplanting.
Tomatoes are ready for transplanting when they are (30) days, with fully developed set of true leaves and shoot system height of above (2) inches.
Precaution for transplanting.
Water the seedlings thoroughly before transplanting to ease the transplanting process, reduce root damage and maintain roots moist and binded to the soil particles.
Use a trowel or shovel for transplanting to mitigate risk of root damage.
Transplant during the on-set of the sun or a cloudy day to reduce transpiration rate and transplant shock.
Don't bury the seedling crown to prevent rot.
Water immediately the seedling to reduce transplant shock.
VEGETABLES PRODUCTION SYSTEMS.
Vegetable production venture vary in production size, investment capital, production methods and operations. Vegetable production system are classified into:
1. Home oriented vegetable production system.
2. Market oriented vegetable production system.
1. Home oriented vegetable production system.
These are often referred to as kitchen gardens. Operate on a smallscale to produce fresh, organic vegetables for domestic consumption.
Characteristics of home oriented vegetable production systems.
Operates on a small scale with mixed cropping.
Production is mainly for home consumption and surplus is sold.
Focus on production of fresh, organic, nutritious vegetables.
Require low input and sustainable utilizing organic methods and natural pest control.
Contribute to climate smart agriculture by using water efficiently reducing transportation, packaging and promoting diversity.
Benefits of Home oriented vegetable production.
Improves household food security, providing access to reliable source of fresh, nutritious vegetables.
Promotes good health in household reducing malnutritional risk, chronic diseases occurance and diabetic issues.
Reduces food miles in search of fresh vegetables that suit the household preference.
Promotes production of organic vegetables mitigating risk of noxious chemicals.
Promotes environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on large scale agriculture and promote biodiversity.
Provide educational opportunities to children and transfer valuable production skills essential for survival.
It's a mode of household saving reducing variable household costs that adds up daily.
Examples of Home-oriented vegetable production.
These include nutritional gardens, backyard gardens, school and community gardens
Nutritional or kitchen gardens.
These are small gardens near the kitchen, often used to grow spicies, leafy vegetables and herbs.
Nutrition is the prime consideration production aiming to provide a supplementary source of essential nutrients for the family diet utilizing kitchen waste for compost manure.
Backyard production.
Usually confined to the backyard area of homes, relatively larger than nutritional garden but still on a smallscale production system.
Backyard garden often utilize kitchen waste and farm yard manure for organic fertilizers hence promoting soil sustainability.
Mixed vegetables are grown to suit the household preference.
School and community gardens.
Usually encourage in the elementary grades, secondary schools and areas where malnutrition is a problem.
School and community gardens aim to equip participates with vegetable production techniques and technologies focused to improve food security in communities.
Knowledge and skills attained is often replicated at home to sustain households.
2. Market oriented vegetable production systems.
These involve production of vegetables with a primary focus on profitability, rather than just personal consumption. The grower analyze market demands, develops a production plan, manage efficiently and focus to produce quality products to compete in the market.
Features of market oriented vegetable systems.
Requires market analysis to understand consumer preference, adapt to market trends and competition.
Requires a production plan on technologies to use considering seasonality and local market condition.
Requires relatively higher investment capital and use of agro-chemicals.
Requires irrigation system for sustainable production season after season.
Requires proper post harvest handling like grading, sorting packaging and storage to maintain produce quality.
Associated with financial record tracking of income and expenses.
It is also associated with continuous improvement and making adjustments to production and marketing strategies based on market feedback.
Examples of market oriented vegetable farms.
These include unspecialized market oriented vegetable farms, specialized market oriented vegetable farms, controlled environment production and hydroponics. All with different characteristics, merits and demerits.
Unspecialized market oriented vegetable farms.
A lot of vegetables are grown as secondary crops after the main crop. This system gives the farmers more flexibility to respond to market opportunities and even reduce production risks.
Characterized with diversified cropping, highly flexible to suit market need, produce are sold though various channel including local markets, retailers and processors.
Specialized market oriented vegetable farms
Usually near population centers, producing vegetables year round characterized with high intensive production focused on production a limited range of high demand vegetables for specific markets, often with the goal of maximizing profits.
Characterized with production of high value crops, efficient production practice like automated irrigation, modern planting methods and business focused integrating farm management principles including financial planning, marketing strategies and access to credit and Agro-inputs.
Controlled environment production
It requires the use of special structures (green houses) to control environmental factors, thus providing a modified artificial climate. Temperatures, light and nutrient delivery are adjusted to meet the specific needs of different crops
Characterized with year round production, increased yield and production efficiency, increased production per unit area for vertical farming.
Hydroponics
Involves growing vegetable in nutrients solution with the use an artificial medium such as sand, gravel, vermiculite in a polythene trays.
Hydroponics make possible high density cropping, very efficient use of water and fertilizers and minimum use of land but it requires a big investment and a high degree of technical competence to be successful.
MARKETING OF VEGETABLES.
Marketing of vegetables determines the success and profitability of any vegetable farming enterprise. Decisions range from determining the most valuable, marketable vegetable for production and mode of delivery of quality produced to consumers.
Vegetable markets are categorized into:
1. Non-direct markets
2. Direct markets
1. Non-direct markets.
Examples of non-direct vegetable markets include terminal market firms, shipping point firms, brokers, processors, cooperative, retail outlet.
Terminal Market Firms
Terminal markets are assembly and distribution centers located in large metropolitan areas. Producers truck their commodities in large amounts to terminal markets, where buyers purchase and then redistribute the goods to local markets.
Examples include Kalewere metropolitan market.
Terminal market buyers typically include large wholesalers and sometimes buyers from local chain stores. Although their requirements may vary slightly.
Advantages of terminal markets include; current market information is usually available at terminal markets, growers have opportunities to contact several potential organic buyers, growers may sell large quantities fairly quickly.
Disadvantages commonly associated with terminal markets include; buyers usually accept only consistently high quality produce, buyers may sometimes have very strict packaging requirements, prices of organic produce are based on current retail market prices so they can fluctuate widely over time, producers must usually transport their produce to the terminal market, producers must deliver organic produce to terminal markets in relatively large quantities.
Shipping point firms
Shipping point sales are those made by the vegetable growers to a local shipping point buyer, who in turn sells the fruits and vegetables to terminal and wholesale market buyers.
Shipping point buyers, may be area packinghouses, produce distributors or other handlers such as buying offices for large chain stores.
Advantages of dealing with shipping point firms include; growers have the ability to market large volumes through pooling and do not have to establish a terminal market sales program of their own, shipping point buyers may provide guidance on grades, container sizes, etc.
Disadvantages of dealing with shipping point firms include; prices received depend on the facility since the firm has limited information on organic market prices and conditions, the firm does not develop terminal market outlets of its own, the bargaining position of the organic grower may be weak, especially if there are a limited number of shipping point firms in the area.
Brokers
Brokers are individuals or firms which neither take title nor possession of vegetables but serve as agents to negotiate sales contracts between buyers and sellers.
Brokers try to locate the best quality fruits and vegetables at fair prices for both buyers and sellers and inform each party of terms, conditions and special agreements of proposed contracts.
Brokers may also handle invoicing, collections and remittance, but brokers are not responsible for payment if buyers fail to honor a contract.
Advantages of selling through a broker include; growers obtain the services of a professional produce salesman and have access to a large number of buyers, brokers provide needed price information.
Disadvantages of selling through a broker include; products must be homogeneous and able to be graded, but grades may not represent sellers quality, producer’s volume may be inadequate and cost of brokerage sales is high if large volumes are handled, producers remain responsible for product delivery and quality.
Processors.
Producers usually contract to provide processing plants with a certain amount and quality of organic fruits and vegetables over a certain period of time. However, processors do not contract for all of their produce. Generally, they contract for about 60 percent, purchase 30 percent on the open market, and produce 10 percent of the total quantity needed. This allows processors the freedom to “play” the market and possibly receive the supplies at lower prices.
Producer advantages associated with processor contracts include; price and quantity contract agreements assure producers of a market, production expertise is sometimes provided by the processor, processors may provide harvesting assistance.
Producer disadvantages associated with processor contracts include; prices received may be lower due to risks, quality standards may be stringent.
Cooperative
Objectives of vegetable marketing cooperatives are to secure higher prices, guarantee markets for produce and reduce input and handling costs for their members. Most fruit and vegetable cooperatives also provide various marketing services for their patrons including harvesting, grading, packing, cooling, storage and transportation services.
Cooperatives allow members to bring their produce to one location and pool their produce which allows producers to meet buyer requirements that they often cannot meet by themselves. However, some cooperatives also provide purchasing, pooling, processing and bargaining functions for their members.
Disadvantages of cooperatives include; producers lose some independence by selling through a cooperative, members may only sell through the cooperative when prices are high and then use other marketing channels, which hurts cooperatives’ reputations. More experienced, better producers might subsidize inexperienced producers, and, therefore, not reach their profit potentials.
Retail outlet
Many opportunities exist for small acreage vegetable producers who are willing to deliver fresh produce to retail outlets. Other potential markets include schools, restaurant, hotels and groceries stores.
Advantages of dealing with retail outlets include; growers may be paid at the time of delivery, growers can negotiate price levels, packing costs may decrease and special containers may not be necessary, producers replace middlemen in the marketing process.
Disadvantages of dealing with retail outlets include; superior quality produce may be demanded, producers need time and extra planning to develop client contracts and deliver produce, there is the possibility of high transportation costs per unit volume.
2. Direct vegetable markets.
Direct marketing is an approach which is usually beneficial to both producers and consumers.
Growers aim to capture the retail prices that consumers pay at retail outlet, providing similar services adding value to their produce whereas consumers receive fresh, high quality produce with traceable production system for noxious chemical free vegetables.
Examples of direct vegetable markets include pick-your-own operation, roadside stands, farmers' markets.
Pick-Your-Own Operations
Pick-your-own operations (PYO) are a type of direct marketing outlet where consumers come to the farm and harvest the fruits and vegetables themselves. PYO is often preferred by consumers who like to select fresher, higher quality fruit at lower prices.
General advantages of PYO operations for producers include; the requirements for harvest labor are reduced, grading, packing and storage costs are eliminated, producers receive payments for the organic produce directly, eliminating middlemen, container costs are reduced if the customer provides them, price variability risks are reduced and the producer has more input into the price received.
Potential disadvantages to the producer include; producer assumes liability for any accidents, PYO operations require long hours during the harvest season. Producers must assume retailer services and responsibilities. Bad weather or lack of customers may adversely affect returns. Customers must be attracted to the PYO site.
Farmers' markets.
Farmers’ markets differ from other direct marketing operations in that growers share insurance, advertising and other marketing costs. Successful farmers’ markets are very helpful in increasing the incomes of small farmers who participate in them.
Example include kayanja ministries farmers' market.
Consumers patronize farmers’ markets for a variety of reasons which generally include; They wish to take advantage of lower prices. They prefer fresher, higher quality produce. Farmers’ markets offer a wide variety of produce to choose from. Produce is available in large quantities for canning and preserving purposes. They enjoy the market atmosphere and conversing with produce growers. They like to support local agriculture.
Roadside stands.
Growers establish a selling stall stand near a roadway to sale produce directly to consumers. The roadside stall is usually near the farm
Vegetable sold are fresh from farm and usually depending on vegetables produced on a farm.
Marketing Strategy of vegetables.
A marketing strategy refers to a business's overall game plan for reaching prospective consumers and turning them into customers. A marketing strategy should contain the farmer's proposition, key brand message, data on target customer demographics and other high level elements.
Examples of marketing strategies.
Paid media advertisment
Direct selling
Social media platform e.g Facebook, Whatsapp.
Internet marketing like e-commerce on Jumia.
Story telling: brand storytelling uses a familiar communication format to engage consumers at an emotional level.
Co-branding: is a marketing methodology in which atleast two brands join together to promote and sell a product.
Point of purchase marketing, sales to a captive audience, those shoppers already in store and ready to purchase.
TOMATO AGRONOMIC PRACTICES.
Tomato agronomic practices involves a range of techniques to optimize tomato production include; soil preparation, seed selection, planting, fertilizer application, irrigation, weed management,staking, mulching, harvesting, post harvest practices, disease management. These practices aim to maximize yield and ensure high quality fruits while minimizing environmental impact.
Soil preparation.
Deep plough to control perennial weeds and retrieve leached minerals.
Carryout secondary tillage to break soil pans to achieve a fine seedbed crucial for uniform growth and proper root growth.
Raised seedbed are suitable in areas receiving heavy rainfall and in clay loam soils to enhance proper soil drainage.
Sucken seedbed are suitable for dry areas to enhance better soil water rentation and modify soil temperatures.
Soil sterilization with chemicals inhibits pathogen growth may be carried, this improves soil health and breaks cycle of plant pests and diseases.
Seed selection.
Seed selection in tomatoes is dependant on growth habits (indeterminate or determinate), disease resistance and tolerance, fruit type (shape, size and colour) depending on the market demand, hybrid or open pollinated varieties.
Planting.
Tomato seedling are transplanted (30-45) days of age after planting.
It's recommended to transplant on a cloudy day in the morning bor late in evening to prevent transplant shock.
Maintain a proper spacing of (75-100)cm between rows and (40-60)cm between seedlings depending on the variety classification aiming to have a population range of (6,666-13,333) plants.
Apply (2) handfuls of manure per hole (8) tones per acre or (2) bottle tops equivalent to (10)g of triple super phosphate (TSP) per hole (80)kg per acre. Apply Muriate of Potash (MOP) to enhance availability of potassium.
Fertilizer application.
Tomato crop should be fertilized with organic and inorganic chemical fertilizers to produce high yields. Incorporating organic matter improves physical and chemical soil properties of soil.
Side dressing with calcium nitrate promotes strong cell walls and prevents blossom end rot.
Top dressing with (CAN) fertilizer using circular band or placement method to prevent root burn and boost the vegetative growth.
Maintain a good balance of NPK (5-10-5). Applied at the flowering stage promote flower and fruit development.
Deep planting
Refers to a technique of where a portion of the tomato plant stem is placed below the soil level, to stimulate growth of adventitious roots along the buried stem, resulting in a sturdier health plant.
Deep planting promotes stronger root system, increased root mass, firm anchorage, increased uptake of nutrients, boosts plant disease resistance, increased plant longevity and increased plant yeild.
Irrigation.
Tomatoes are sensitive to water amounts, heavy irrigation after a long dry spell cause fruits to crack.
Drip irrigation is the most recommended irrigation system, delivering water directly to the root zone, minimize water waste and promote efficient water use.
"Fertigation" refers to a combination of inorganic fertilizers and irrigation water suitable improve nutrients availability and efficiency.
Irrigation frequency can vary based on weather, soil type and plant size whereas irrigation duration may be shorter for young plants and longer for mature fruiting plants.
Examples of irrigation systems in tomatoes include; drip irrigation, over head irrigation, furrow irrigation and bottle irrigation.
1. Drip irrigation.
Drip irrigation is a micro-irrigation system that allows water to drip slowly to the root zone of the crop either from above the soil surface or buried below the surface aiming to enhance efficient water use and minimize evaporation.
Merits of drip irrigation.
Low evaporation and runoff water loss.
Avoids unnecessary wetting of the inter rows hence increased efficiency of water use.
Requires low energy and labour costs.
Cost effective for fertigation since water is supplied to the root zone.
Cost of weed control is reduced since water is supplied specifically to the tomato root zone.
It is easier to use in fields with irregular shapes.
Ensure uniform water distribution to crops.
Tomato leaves aren't wetted hence reduce the risk of disease spread.
Demerits of drip irrigation.
Requires high initial investment capital
Clogging of the emitters if the water is not properly filtered and equipments aren't properly maintained.
PVC pipes are highly susceptible to rodent damage.
High risk of soil salinity damaging plant roots.
Requires leveling of the field.
2. Sprinkler irrigation.
It is also known as overhead irrigation.
Involves use of guns or overhead sprinklers to apply water from a central place and distribute it above the tomatoes in the field.
Water is piped to one or more central points in the field and distributed by high pressure sprinkler gun.
Merits of overhead irrigation.
Suited to diverse range of topography.
Leveling is not essential for uneven relief.
Suitable for foliar fertilizer application and fungicides application.
It removes dusts on the leaves hence improves photosynthetic surface area.
It triggers flowering due to veneralization process.
Demerits of overhead irrigation.
It require high initial investment capital.
It is mostly uneconomical in water usage.
Predispose tomatoes to diseases and enhance rapid spread of diseases by transmission of pathogen from one plant to another by the aid of water.
Promotes rapid removal of any protective chemicals applied.
Require higher costs of power and energy to operate.
High susceptibility to wilting of tomatoes incase of saline water.
Wind disrupts sprinkle pattern and cause uneven distribution of water.
3. Furrow irrigation
Involves supply of water to crops by flowing water through small, parallel channels ( furrows) that run between small ridged beds. It's a simple surface irrigation technique that uses gravity to distribute water.
Merits of furrow irrigation.
It's simple and of low-cost hence less investment capital.
It's suitable for crop grown in rows and gentle slope.
Suitable for soils prone to crusting.
Reduced water loss enhancing efficiency of water use.
Demerits of furrow irrigation
Enhanced soil salinization Incase of use of salty waters.
Furrows can rapidly increase risk of soil erosion especially on a steep slopes
Require more labour to setup, maintaince and monitoring of furrows.
Discourages mechanization use across furrows.
Requires leveling of land to enhance gravitational flow of water.
4. Bottle irrigation
This is a suitable for small scale production. It involves use of bottle to apply water to the crop. Farmers frequently monitor the bottles to refill them. Water is delivered with the aid of atmospheric pressure and gravitational force.
Merits of bottle irrigation
It is affordable to low income farmers.
It is simple to operate and manage.
Tomato is not wetted hence reduce risk of washingdown protective chemicals.
Demerits of bottle irrigation.
Require vast amounts of bottle to operate on a large scale.
May result to environment pollution with bottles if not properly disposed after use.
Mulching
Mulching refers to the cover of topsoil with mulches using straw, shaded plant leaves, plastic sheets, PVC sheets.
Mulching suppress weed growth, modify soil temperatures, enhance moisture retention and improves soil nutrients availability and uptake.
It's recommended to apply (2) inches layer of organic mulches for proper water penetration. Avoid contact of mulches to the plant stem to mitigate risk of rot.
Merits of mulching in tomatoes.
Promotes soil water conservation preventing rapid soil water evaporation.
Suppress weed growth reducing inter-plant competition for resources and ease weeding easier.
Modify soil temperature promoting enhancing soil microbial activity hence enhance soil nutrients availability.
Organic mulches decompose hence add organic matter to the soil improving soil structure, aeration and water holding capacity.
Mulches protect the soil from erosion agents and prevents erosion of soluble inorganic fertilizers.
Promotes faster root development due to modified soil temperatures resulting to early fruit production and increased overall yeild.
Mulching prevents soil compaction, allowing roots to penetrate deeper and ensuring better nutrients and water uptake.
Demerits of mulching.
Organic mulches harbour pests and if applied too close to the stem can trap moisture and promote fungal diseases.
Organic mulches such as straw, hay contain weed seeds resulting to infestation of weeds in the field.
Mulches are expensive to afford hence increase cost production.
Mulching can led to extreme water rentation in poorly drained soils leading to root rot, cracking of stems and fruits.
Dark coloured mulches like black plastics and PVC sheets heat up the soil excessively, potentially harming young tomatoes and led to scorch burns on fruits.
Staking
It involves use of a stake, often wood, metal, cage to support the tomato plants growth pattern.
Merits of staking.
Prevent stem breaking, offer support to prevent falling over in heavy fruiting indeterminate varieties.
Promote better air circulation around the plant reducing the risk of fungal diseases
Improve fruit quality reducing rooting and scorching burn patches as a result of direct contact to the ground
Ease maintenance operation especially desuckering and harvesting.
Procedure of staking.
Select a suitable stake mode of pole, metal or plastic (5-9)ft in height.
Insert the stake (4) inches away from the base of the tomato and (8) inches into the soil.
Once the tomato reaches (10-12) inches begin to tie the main stem to the stake using soft materials like cloth stripes.
Continue to tie the plant after every (8) inches as the plant grows to offer more support and enhance vertical growth.
Prune suckers to encourage vertical growth and enhance plant direction of nutrients to fruits.
Make sure the ties are not too tight as they can restrict growth.
Desuckering.
Refers to a pruning technique, involving removal of new shoot suckers that grow between the main stem and the leaf branches. Small suckers can be pinched off with finger nails whereas larger suckers a shear pruner or sharp knife is used to mitigate risk of shoot damage. It is recommended to sterilize the pruning shear with alcohol to prevent spread of diseases.
Merits of desuckering
Improves air circulation around the plant, reducing humidity and risk of fungal diseases.
Promotes larger and abundant harvests, the plants directs it's energy towards fruit development.
Ensures proper spacing reducing risk of disease spread and proper utilization of resources.
Harvesting.
Tomatoes have diverse harvesting stage depending on the desired ripeness and how they will be used.
Tomatoes can harvested at mature green stage (fully green) or breaker stage (partially green and red). At this stage the tomato has along shelf life span and continuous ripening is favoured by ethylene production, storage temperatures of (15-21)⁰C.
Harvesting vine ripened tomatoes (fully red) contain of optimal flavor and sweetness. This is suitable for household grown tomatoes for household consumption since the tomato shelf life span is short and it's too delicate for transportation at this stage.
Fruit should be harvest early in the morning when it is cool when the fruit temperature is low.
Post harvest handling.
Harvesyt tomatoes should be cooled under shade to reduce metabolism process, transpiration and respiration process to mitigate risk of heat gain.
Harvested tomatoes, are then sorted to remove damaged fruits that may rapidly spread microbial contamination to other fruits.
Wipe clean tomatoes to remove soil debris using clean cloth.
Package tomatoes in wooden perforated crates to prevent ethylene build up and heat build up to slow down the ripening process.
Tomatoes should be kept under (18-30)⁰C since they are intolerant to frost and chilling.
Tomatoes maybe graded according to the consumers preference size, colour and shape.
Tomatoes maybe processed into high value products such as jam, sauce and pickeles to enhance profits.
MAJOR DISEASES AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS.
Tomato diseases can lead to a significant economic loss if not managed. Crop diseases lead to reduction in quality and quantity of crop yield, enhance cost of production hence reduces profits.
The major tomato diseases and disorders include; Damping off disease, Late Bright disease, Early Blight disease, Bacterial Wilt disease, Tomato Mosaic disease, Fusarium Wilt disease and Blossom End Rot.
Damping off disease.
It is a soil borne diseases caused by Pythium spp. Tomato seedlings are susceptible to damping off disease.
Symptoms include decay of germinating seeds, gridling and decay of seedling stems at ground level.
Cultural control measures include use of certified seeds, avoid locating nursery seedbeds on infected grounds, use of seed trays and peat moss medium, avoid excessive fertilizer application and watering in nursery beds.
Chemical control measures include use of a combination of Metalaxyl plus Mancozeb fungicides.
Late Bright disease.
This is a fungal disease that affects foliage and fruits, it's favoured by cool and wet conditions.
Symptoms include irregular greenish- black water soaked patches on leaves, the spot turns brown and the leaf withers but remain attached to the stem, water brown streaks on stems and grey water soaked spots on fruits, usually the upper half of the fruit with a foul smell.
Cultural control measures include crop rotation, removal of volunteer crops, pruning and staking to improve proper air circulation and reduce humidity.
Chemical control measures include use of fungicides such as Metalaxyl plus Mancozeb, Propineb plus Cymoxanil, Dithane M45 and Dimethomorph plus Mancozeb.
Early Blight disease.
This is a fungal disease which affects foliage and fruits. The fungus is a seed borne, well adapted in semi-arid areas (warm wet conditions) favoured by warm rainy weather.
Symptoms include pre-mature loss of lower leaves, brown circular spots with dark concentric rings on leaves, leaves turn yellow and dry when a few spot LS appear, large sucken areas with a dark concentric rings appearing on the fruits.
Cultural control measures include use of certified seeds, appropriate spacing, avoid overhead irrigation, water in the morning and keep plants healthy.
Chemical control measures include use of fungicides such as chlorothalonil, Mancozeb, Propined, Mancozeb plus Cymoxanil, Propineb plus Iprovalicarb.
Bacterial Wilt disease.
This is a soil borne bacterial disease. It easily spread by runoff water on infested soils.
Symptoms include rapid wilting and death of the entire plant with out yellowing or spotting leaves. When the stem of a wilted plant is squeezed a greyish slimy ooze is produced.
To distinguish this wikt from others when a thin slice is taken from the brown stem tissue and placed inside a glass of water, a milky ooze is produced from the cut surface.
Cultural control measures include crop rotation, solarizing planting bed, removal of infested plant with the soil around the roots and destroy it, spot treatment with Sodium Hypochlorite (Jik) or lime and sterilizing pruning tools.
Chemical control measures include use of Metam Sodium and Bronopol
Tomato Mosaic disease.
This is a viral disease which is easily transmitted by infected seeds, plant debris, soil, pruning tools and seedlings.
Symptoms include mottling of leaves with raised dark green areas, the shape of young leaves is distorted, internal browningbof fruits especially when fruits are affected at mature green stage.
Cultural control measures include use of certified disease free seeds, removal and destruction of infested crops, don't smoke or touch cigarettes as the virus is transmitted from tobacco leaves even if it is processed.
Fusarium Wilt disease.
It is a fungal seed and soil borne disease. It is favoured by light sandy soils, acidic soils of pH (5.0-5.6), excessive nitrogen fertilizer application and temperatures between ( 25-32)⁰C.
The fungus can survive in the soil indefinitely even when no tomatoes are grown. It can survive in fibrous roots of weeds
Symptoms include lower leaves of the plant usually turn yellow and die, leaflets on one side maybe affected while those on the other side are symptomless, diseased leaves break away from the stem.
When the affected stem just above the ground level and petioles are cut diagonally a reddish-brown discolouration of water conducting tissues will be observed.
Cultural control measures include planting resistant varieties (Anna F1, Rio Grande, Eden F1 and Rambo F1), use of certified disease free seeds, avoid seedbed where Fusarium Wilt occured, apply lime or organic fertilizer to buffer soil pH and avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer application and control root-knot nematodes.
Blossom-end Rot.
This is a physiological condition caused by Calcium-nitrogen imbalance in the soil, especially when moisture level in the soil is low.
Symptoms include a rot at the blossom-end of the fruit and the surface becomes dark brown and sucken.
Cultural control measures include maintaining adequate soil moisture especially at fruit development level, soil liming in calcium deficient soil, application calcium nitrate fertilizers and foliar application of EASY-GRO.
TOMATO PEST MANAGEMENT.
Entomological field pest damages cause a reduction in quality and quantity of crop yield resulting into economic loss due to increased production costs.
Common tomato pests include African Bollworm, Red spider mites, Tobacco whitefly, Thrips, Tomato leaf miners, Aphids and Root-knot nematodes.
African Bollworm.
Caterpillars (larvae) feed on flowers and green fruits causing flower abortion and sucken necrotic spots respectively, feeding holes made by larvae serve as entry point for pathogen resulting to fruit decay
Adult moth is dull yellow to brown and larvae have alternating light and dark coloured stripes on either sides of the body and the pupa is shiny brown. The female moth lays tiny round and brownish eggs near or on the flowers and small fruits.
Cultural control measures include tilling and ploughing of old tomato field exposing pupa to natural enemies, planting of trap crops such as maize, cucumber and African marigold which attracts the pests before attacking the main crop.
Biological control measures include use of selective pesticides such as Cotton Bollworm SNPV Virus.
Chemical control measures include use of selective pesticides such as Indoxacarb, Etofenprox.
Red Spider Mites
Infested leaves show white to yellow speckling, later turn to brown colour. High population cause serious drying and defoliation which results to small light fruits
Adult Red spider mites are reddish or greenish with (8) legs oval shaped. They lay very tiny spherical and whitish singular eggs on the leaf underside. Red spider mites spin silk threads which anchor the eggs and the pest.
Chemical control measures include use of miticides such as Spiromesifen, Hexythiazox, Abamectin, Agrimec and Amitraz.
Spider Mites rapidly develop resistance to pesticides especially when used continuously for several seasons. Therefore the farmer needs to use miticides with different mode of action, chemical composition, avoid routine spraying and use recommended dosage to prevent development of resistance.
Tobacco whitefly.
Suck plant sap utilizing plant nutrients resulting to reduced growth, stunted growth and yellowing of leaves. They excrete honey dew which supports growth of black mould.
Tobacco whitefly transmit "Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus".
Adult whiteflies resemble small White moth, they cluster on the leaf underside. They lay eggs in circles on the leaf underside which hatch to produce greenish white nymphs which resemble scales.
Cultural control measures include weeding, use of yellow stick traps to monitor whitefly population level, covering tomato seedling nurseries with nylon nets.
Chemical control measures include use of insecticides such as Imidacloprid, Amitraz, Buprofezin, Azadiractin and Lambda-cyhalothrin.
Thrips
Thrips attack leaves, flowers, buds and fruits causing speckling small necrotic patches in leaves, premature wilting, stunted growth and distortion of young shoots. It also lead to flower abortion.
Thrips transmit "Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus".
Adult thrips are small, slender and winged. Wings are long, narrow and fringed with long hairs. Nymphs are white and yellow. Both adult and nymphs feed on lower leaf surface, buds, flowers and fruits.
Cultural control measures include ploughing to kill and expose pupae to natural enemies and harsh environment conditions.
Chemical control measures include use of insecticides such as Lambda-Cyhalothin, Abamectin and Acetamiprid.
Thrips are difficult to control with insecticides because their habits partially offer protection from insecticides. ( Eggs are laid in plant tissues, adults shelter in flowers and larvae pupate in the soil).
Tuta Absolute.
Also known as "tomato leaf miner".
The caterpillar (larvae) mines in the middle of the leaf tissue causing leaves to appear burnt with small white tunneling patches or blotch shaped mines in leaves reducing photosynthetic surface area. It bores on fruits, leaving symptomatic tiny holes. It also burrows in stems causing breakage, if not managed can lead to 100% crop loss.
The moth is grey-brown and has long antenna and lays upto (269) eggs, newly hatched larvae are small (0.5)mm and yellowish in colour, mature larvae grow upto (9)mm yellow green and have pinkish colour on the back and a black band behind the head. The larvae is the dangerous damaging stage.
Cultural control measures include crop rotation, field sanitation, regular monitoring of pests population, early control is important before the pest pressure builds up. Also use of "pheromone traps" to attract male insects for both monitoring or surveillance of pests population.
Root knot nematodes.
Root knot nematodes infestation lead to severely distorted, swollen galls or knots on the tomato roots, stunted growth, yellowing and wilting of the plant in hot weather. Heavy infestation results in severe loss in yeild.
Nematodes are soil inhabitants easily spread by infested seedlings, soil wash and ploughing implements. Root knot nematodes are most serious on light sandy soils under furrow irrigation.
Cultural control measures include soil sterilization by bush burning or burning the topsoil with field crop residues, solarizing seedbed with black PVC sheets for (2-3) months, use of trap or repellent crops like African Marigold, deep ploughing followed by dry-fallow.
Chemical control measures include use of nematicides such as Abamectin, Metham Sodium, Azadiractin and Ethoprophos.
SUSTAINABLE TOMATO PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES.
Sustainability has (3) main pillars. These pillars are informally refered to as profits, people and planet. Categorized into economic, social and environmental sustainability.
1. Economic sustainability; tomat production must be profitable however profits cannot justify the overall dominance of the other two pillars. Therefore farmers should produce tomatoes with a balance of the three pillars.
2. Social sustainability; involves respecting needs of tomato value chain actors with the at-most consideration of actors health and welfare. It's people centered focused to improve livelihoods of society members.
3. Environmental sustainability; tomato production must give attention on the protection and conservation of natural environment resources to promote sustainable tomato production.
The following production techniques are proven to promote sustainable tomato production.
Market survey.
Involves identifying market trends, understanding customer preferences hence making informed decisions leading to customer satisfaction with a competitive market advantage leading to more profits
Crop planting calendar.
Aids farmers to utilize natural resources, make informed decisions leading to increased yields and reduced risk of crop failure due to natural calamities and disasters like drought pests and disease.
Soil testing.
By understanding the soil physical and chemical properties and composition aids farmers to use inorganic fertilizers in the right amounts, reduce wastage enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of inorganic fertilizers hence reduce rate of soil and water pollution.
Composting.
Composting promotes proper management of wastes, reduce methane emissions from land fills, improved soil healthy, reduce reliance on synthetic inorganic fertilizer and sequester carbon into the soil hence a climate smart agronomic practices.
Incoperating crop residues into the soil.
Promotes recycling of plant nutrients into the soil improving the physical and chemical soil properties, sequester carbon into the soil, promotes proper waste management.
Use of quality planting materials.
Pest and disease free planting materials contribute to a healthy eco-system. It also contribute to increased yields, increased food security, reduced risk of crop failure and reduced production costs.
Recommended land preparation practices
Deep plough to break pest and disease cycle by exposing pests to natural enemies and harsh environment condition.
In areas that receive heavy rainfall and clay loam soils, use raised seedbed to improve soil water drainage, ease weed control, ease fertilizer incorporation, attain extended growing season hence reducing cost of production.
In semi arid areas and steep slopes, sucken seedbed are recommended to enhance soil water retention, reduced water run off, proper utilization of water and regulate soil temperature for proper crop growth, high yields and soil conservation.
Record keeping
Keeping accurate records ensures better informed decision making, enables farmers to identify areas of improvement, track cash flow contributing to economic sustainable production.
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