Complete Guide to Tomato Farming in Kenya

1. Introduction

Tomatoes are one of the most profitable vegetables grown in Kenya. They are in high demand both locally and for export. With the right agronomic practices, farmers can achieve high yields and good quality produce, leading to significant profits.

2. Climatic and Soil Requirements

a) Climatic Conditions

• Temperature: Tomatoes thrive in temperatures between 15°C – 30°C.
• Rainfall: Moderate rainfall of 600mm – 1200mm per year is ideal. Too much rain can cause diseases like blight.
• Altitude: Grows well from 0 – 2000m above sea level.
• Sunlight: Requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

b) Soil Conditions

• Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy or sandy loam soil.
• pH: 5.5 – 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
• Soil Preparation: Deep plowing (at least 30 cm) and incorporation of organic matter before planting.

3. Tomato Varieties in Kenya

Farmers can choose between open-pollinated varieties (OPV) and hybrid varieties, depending on market demand and disease resistance.

a) Open-Pollinated Varieties (OPV)

• Money Maker – Early maturing, high yielding.
• Cal J – Tolerant to pests and diseases, medium-sized fruits.

b) Hybrid Varieties (High Yielding)

• Anna F1 – High yield, resistant to bacterial wilt.
• Tylka F1 – Good for greenhouse farming, disease resistant.
• Rio Grande – Suitable for processing, firm fruits.
• Ansal F1 – High yield, firm fruits, good for fresh market.
• Shanty F1 – Excellent shelf life, good for export.

4. Land Preparation and Planting

a) Land Preparation

1. Clear weeds and previous crop residues.
2. Deep plowing (at least 30 cm) to improve root penetration.
3. Add organic manure (10–15 tons per acre).
4. Make raised beds or ridges to improve drainage.

b) Nursery Preparation and Transplanting

1. Nursery Bed Preparation:
   • Create a 1m wide and 10m long bed.
   • Mix soil with well-decomposed manure (1:1 ratio).
   • Treat the soil with Dithane M-45 to prevent fungal infections.
2. Sowing the Seeds:
   • Space seeds 1 cm apart in rows.
   • Cover lightly with soil and mulch.
   • Water regularly and remove mulch after germination (5–7 days).
3. Transplanting (After 4–6 Weeks):
   • Harden seedlings by reducing watering one week before transplanting.
   • Transplant when seedlings have 3–5 true leaves.
   • Spacing: 45 cm between rows, 30 cm between plants.

5. Greenhouse Farming

Green House farming provides a controlled environment for tomato production, resulting in higher yields and better disease management.

Benefits of Greenhouse Tomato Farming

• Protection from extreme weather conditions.
• Reduced pest and disease infestation.
• Increased yield per square meter.
• Efficient water usage through Drip Irrigation
• Extended harvesting period.

Requirements for Greenhouse Tomato Farming

• Greenhouse Structure: Use UV-stabilized polythene material with adequate ventilation.
• Soil Preparation: Add well-decomposed manure and sterilize soil to control soil-borne diseases.
• Irrigation System: Drip irrigation is ideal for greenhouse farming.
• Variety Selection: Choose hybrid varieties suited for greenhouse farming such as Tylka F1 and Anna F1.
• Plant Spacing: 30 cm between plants, 60 cm between rows.
• Temperature Management: Maintain a temperature range of 18°C – 28°C.
• Pollination: Tomatoes require assistance in pollination. This can be achieved by shaking the plants or introducing bumblebees.

6. Irrigation Management

• Drip Irrigation (Best for Water Conservation) – Saves water and prevents diseases.
• Furrow Irrigation – Used in open fields but can lead to water wastage.
• Overhead Irrigation Sprinklers (Not Recommended) – Increases disease risk.
• Water twice a week during dry periods. Reduce watering when fruits start ripening to avoid cracking.

7. Fertilizer Application

Growth Stage	Fertilizer Type	Application Rate
Seedling Stage	DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate)	50kg/acre
Vegetative Stage	CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate)	100kg/acre
Flowering & Fruiting	NPK 17:17:17	50kg/acre
After First Harvest	Top dress with CAN	50kg/acre

• Use organic manure (compost, farmyard manure) to improve soil health.
• Apply foliar feeds like Calcium Nitrate to prevent blossom end rot.

8. Pest and Disease Management

a) Common Pests

Pest	Symptoms	Control
Tomato Leafminer (Tuta absoluta)	Small holes in leaves, mines in fruits	Use pheromone traps, spray Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), apply systemic insecticides
Aphids	Yellow, curled leaves, sticky honeydew	Neem oil, insecticidal soap, introduce natural predators like ladybugs
Whiteflies	Yellowing leaves, transmit viral diseases	Use yellow sticky traps, apply insecticides, remove affected plants
Cutworms	Cut seedlings at the base	Apply biological pesticides, handpick larvae in the evening
Spider Mites	Yellow speckled leaves, webbing under leaves	Spray miticides, introduce predatory mites

b) Common Diseases

Disease	Symptoms	Control
Early & Late Blight	Brown spots on leaves, wilting	Use Mancozeb, Dithane M-45, practice crop rotation
Bacterial Wilt	Sudden wilting of plants	Plant resistant varieties (Ansal F1), avoid waterlogging
Powdery Mildew	White powdery growth on leaves	Use sulfur-based fungicides, ensure proper spacing
Fusarium Wilt	Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves	Use resistant varieties, improve soil drainage
Tomato Mosaic Virus	Mosaic-like patches on leaves, stunted growth	Remove infected plants, control aphids and whiteflies
Blossom End Rot	Black, sunken spots on fruit	Apply calcium nitrate, ensure consistent watering

9. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling

• Maturity Period: 70–90 days after transplanting.
• Signs of Ripeness: Fruits change color from green to red or yellow.

10. Return on Investment (ROI)

Tomato farming can be highly profitable when done correctly. Below is an estimation of the potential return on investment per acre.

a) Cost Breakdown (Per Acre)

• Land Preparation: Ksh 15,000 – 25,000
• Seeds & Seedlings: Ksh 10,000 – 30,000 (depending on variety)
• Fertilizers & Manure: Ksh 20,000 – 40,000
• Pesticides & Fungicides: Ksh 15,000 – 30,000
• Irrigation (Drip System): Ksh 120,000 – 180,000
• Labor Costs: Ksh 30,000 – 50,000
• Miscellaneous Costs: Ksh 10,000 – 20,000
• Total Investment: Ksh 220,000 – 375,000

b) Revenue Estimation

• Yield per Acre: 15 – 30 tons (depending on variety & farming method)
• Selling Price per Kg: Ksh 50 – 100 (market dependent)
• Total Revenue: Ksh 650,000 – 3,000,000

c) Profitability Analysis

• Estimated Net Profit: Ksh 600,000 – 2,500,000 per acre
• Break-even Point: Achieved within the first harvest season

d) Factors Affecting Profitability

• Choice of variety
• Market demand and seasonality
• Effective pest and disease management
• Efficient irrigation and fertilization