BEST TOMATO FARMING
Introduction:
Tomato is a vegetable crop that is cultivated in many parts of the world for home consumption and also as a commercial crop. It is believed that the origin of the tomato is the country of Peru/Ecuador in South America. This plant began to be produced as a crop in Mexico and later spread to other countries of the world. Climate
Environment : Tomatoes thrive best in moderate temperature environments ranging from 18-27 degrees centigrade. Too much rain causes an outbreak of fungal diseases such as Baka leaf blight etc.) Soil: Tomatoes thrive in all types of soil from sandy, white loam to clay soil, as long as you have enough compost and do not stagnate. It should also have moderate acidity ie pH 6.0 – 7.0. Types of Tomatoes Due to pollination, tomatoes are divided into two groups: 1. OPV (Open Pollinated Variety) - Common types. Example Tanya, Mwanga, Onyx etc. 2. Hybrid – Chotara: These are high-yielding, abundant, improved varieties. among them there are short, medium and long types. For example Victory F1, Anna F1, Kipato F1, Monica F1, Kilele F1 etc. Due to growth behavior, tomatoes are divided into three groups: 1. Short types (determinate) for example Tanya, Cal J, Mwanga, Onyx, Roma VF etc. These can be harvested 2 to 3 times. 2. Medium size. - These are the long kaisi tomatoes (not very long), technically they are called semi determinate varieties. An example of this type of tomato is Kipato F1. These types can harvest 3 to 5 crops . 3. Long types (intermediate) for example ANNA F1, Victory F1, Tebgeru 97. These types do better when planted in a greenhouse. Its harvesting is long-term, from 5 harvests onwards, there are those that are harvested even more than 6 months, that is, those 6 months are only for harvesting. In this 21st century, the tomatoes that are preferred to be cultivated by farmers, are those that can tolerate diseases, are very productive, and have a hard shell to achieve transportation, and can be stored for many days without spoiling early. Preparing a Tomato Nursery Important things to consider: • The nursery should be near enough and permanent water • It should be an open place with soil that is sufficiently fertile • If the area of the nursery is large, it should be flat or slightly elevated to avoid water from standing on the nursery, if the slope is too steep it is not good because it causes soil erosion. • The nursery should be a place that did not have a crop of tomatoes or round potatoes (or crops of the tomato family, eg, eggplant, eggplant, etc.)
• Be a place where it is easy to get all the necessary services easily, including the transfer of seedlings to another place. Also
simplifying the distribution of seedlings to other places.
Preparing Terraces for Planting Tomato Seeds
Types of terraces:
- sunken seed beds
- raised seed beds
- normal terraces (flat seed beds)
Important Things to Consider when Preparing Terraces
• The terrace should be with a width between 90-120 cm, and any length, [so that the operator can provide all other services in the nursery without stepping on the seedlings].
• Plow/till deep enough about 15-20 cm so that the roots can spread well in the ground.
• Burn litter over the nursery, or cover the ridge with nylon, 4-8 weeks to kill pathogens and insects.
• When preparing the nursery, add manure/compost or compost to the soil and then plant it so that it mixes well with the soil.
• Mix the amount of 1 to 2 cups every one meter (one step) square.
• The embankment should not have valleys, valleys or stones that can prevent the good distribution of seeds on the embankment, it should be well balanced to ensure a good distribution of seeds and avoid the seeds being buried so low that they will not germinate.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the ridges mentioned above
1. Raised seed beds;
Advantages:
– ridges of this type allow water, air and roots to penetrate the soil more easily.
– Root crops get enough space to expand faster
– These ridges do not absorb water like others, so they are used more in areas with frequent rains.
Disadvantages:
- These kind of ridges cause a lot of soil erosion if they are not made properly.
2. Sunken seed beds:
Advantages:
· these ridges are easy to make
· used during the summer to conserve water and moisture
· less moisture found in the ground
· easy to irrigate using canal or tap water
· preserves moisture in the land for a long time
· prevents soil erosion
Disadvantages:
· This type of terraces cannot be used in areas with heavy rainfall.
3. Normal ridges (flat seed beds):
Advantages:
· it is very easy to make because the soil is cleared
· and the seeds are spread
· it is easy to use a large area to grow seeds
Disadvantages:
This type of ridges cannot be used in areas with a lot of rain.
Left Seed
• Ensure the quality and germination of the seeds before planting them in the nursery (germination test)
• Place lines on the embankment according to the size of the embankment, but the lines should not be less than or more than 15-20 cm from line to line
• The depth of the lines should not be scary but should be between 1-2 centimeters
• The ridges should get enough water one day before planting the seeds. It is good to use a watering can.
• The seeds should be sown in lines and distributed well to achieve good seed distribution on the ridge. Mix the fine sand with the seeds and then spread them along the lines prepared on the embankment.
Seeds can also be sown in ridges without lines, but should be spread evenly across the ridge to reduce crowding. Overcrowding causes fungal diseases such as damping off or blight.
• Apply enough mulch that will not prevent
seed germination.
• Once the seeds have been sown, water them in sufficient quantity according to the moisture content in the ground.
Considerations after planting the seeds and Nursery Care
• Water the nursery after planting according to the moisture content in the soil.
• When all the seedlings have germinated, remove the mulch, then apply the vaccine to reduce the sun's rays that can burn the young seedlings. (the cold period is not very important)
• Reduce the seedlings (thinning) so that they remain in sufficient space. So the seedlings should remain at a distance of 2.5 - 4 cm. This will reduce diseases of deformity and wilting, it will also help to get better and stronger seedlings.
• Continue watering until the seedlings reach a height suitable for transplanting to the field.
• Reduce the level of irrigation, a few days before transferring the seedlings to the field, ie 7-10 days.
Preparation of the Tomato Field
• The tomato field should be prepared 1-2 months before planting the seedlings.
• Immediately after planting, burn the grass on the soil or remove all the weeds that can harbor insects and tomato diseases.
• A day or two before moving the tomatoes to the field, irrigate the area prepared for moving the tomatoes.
• The space between seedlings is an average of (50-60) x (50-75) centimeters depending on the type or climate. If it is a cold season, it is better to plant different tomatoes to allow air circulation and prevent fungal diseases.
Rules and methods for transferring seedlings from the nursery to the field (TransplantingRules)
• Water the seedlings a few hours before moving the seedlings to the field so that when uprooting the seedlings, the roots adhere well to the soil.
• Before moving the seedlings, the holes should be prepared in the appropriate positions in the field.
• Seedlings should be moved in the evening to avoid possible damage caused by the sun.
• In general, almost all vegetable crops are ready to be transferred to the field with between 2-6 full leaves and many well-developed roots.
• The seedling must be healthy, well straight, so all stunted or excessively thin seedlings should not be taken when sending to the field.
• Remove the seedlings carefully, especially with their soil, using the relevant equipment so that the roots are not damaged.
• Seedlings should be moved to the field soon after they are plucked from the nursery.
• When transplanting seedlings, great care should be taken not to damage the seedlings/roots.
How to plant seedlings:
• Move the seedlings from the nursery together with their soil
• Spread the roots well in the hole without bending.
• Cover the seedlings at the same depth that the stem was covered in the garden.
• Irrigate enough water according to the moisture present in the soil and apply mulch and shade to reduce the damage caused by the sun's rays.
Important things to consider after transferring the seedlings to the farm
• Inspect the field regularly to find out the progress or problems in the field in advance
• Make sure the field is clean at all times, weed the field and make sure all the weeds, especially those of the tomato family, are plowed down.
• Remove diseased plants or remove the affected parts, then cover them with ground or burn them.
• Reduce the branches and shoots to add enough light to the tomatoes as well as to allow sufficient wind circulation and create a difficult environment for the enemies of the tomatoes, especially those that like darkness and diseases that prefer humidity.
Maintenance of tomato farm:
1. Application of mulch (Mulching)
Mulching helps cover the ground to maintain moisture, prevent weeds, mulch also helps prevent tomato fruits from coming into contact with the soil where they can rot. Blankets can be of various types, such as dry leaves, grass or even straws that come from trees during sawdust. This type of blanket is better than the plastic ones that are not easy to rot. When the grass, lawns or lawns
are decomposed, they become good fertilizers and enrich the soil. Applying mulch is effective in small area farming, but for large areas, the availability of mulch becomes a challenge.
2. Planting trees to freeze the plant (Staking)
Placing trees/things to support the tomato plant, helps the tomatoes not fall or crawl on the soil, something that can cause harm like diseases. Trees should be planted 2 to 3 weeks after transplanting.
The planting of trees helps the growth of tomatoes and thus leads to more yield. For tall varieties of tomatoes, planting trees is inevitable, you must put trees that are understandable that will allow good growth, also the trees must be strong to be able to withstand the load of tomatoes when the tomatoes grow and bear fruit well. For short (determinate) and medium-sized tomatoes (semi-determinate, for example income F1) Use long (1.5 m) and thick (4-5 cm) poles with especially hard ropes of hemp or kudu.
For tall tomatoes (indeterminate, for example Victory F1, Anna F1) it is better to use thick poles/bulbs 2.5 m long and 10-12 cm thick along with wires and good cords (they will make a shape like an electric line). the exercise should be done before the plants begin to put flowers
3. Irrigation
Tomatoes do not tolerate drought. Yields are greatly reduced if tomatoes lack water. It is important to water regularly, especially if you grow tomatoes during the dry season when there is no rain. The amount of irrigation water depends on the type of soil as well as the weather. The potting soil should be irrigated 2 to 3 times a week. Loamy and Sandy soil, irrigation is once a day. Irrigation should be done in the morning because the plant needs water in the afternoon. Important Note: Irrigation should be done depending on the moisture of the soil - If the soil has enough moisture, there is no need to water.
4. Weed control (Weeding)
Weeding should be done 2 or 3 weeks after transplanting, but it also depends on the germination of weeds in the respective area. Make sure your field grows clean without weeds, because weeds attract and hide insects and diseases. Weeds also have a greater ability to use nutrients in the ground than crops, which is why weeds grow faster than crops in the field. So make sure you weed 3 or 4 times depending on the speed of weed germination.
5.
Fertilizer planting Fertilizer is applied during planting, you put 5g in one hole (5 grams is equivalent to one soda cap). Fertilizer for planting you can use DAP, MAP, Minjingu, etc. Fertilizer for growth is applied 2 or 3 weeks after transplanting. It is good that when the fertilizer is applied, the field should be clean, free of weeds, if there are weeds, weed them first. You can use Urea, NPK, etc. as a fertilizer for growth.
6. Harvesting and care of tomatoes after harvesting
Tomatoes have a short life after harvesting, they are easy to spoil because most of the tomato is water. The yield loss after harvesting is estimated to be 5 to 50 percent.
The loss of crops after harvesting is mainly caused by poor handling of the crops, poor transportation methods, as well as late harvesting. To reduce wastage you are advised to harvest your tomatoes on time. Because very ripe tomatoes, it is easy to spoil during harvesting and even during transportation because its outer skin is soft. If your market is far away, harvest the tomatoes when they have just started to show signs of ripening, because at that time the tomato grows with a hard shell, so it can withstand the hustle and bustle of transportation. But the tomato will also be able to stay longer without spoiling compared to the one harvested when it is very ripe. But there are also types of tomatoes that stay for a long time up to 3 weeks without spoiling if they are taken care of properly.
During transportation, make sure you put tomatoes in strong packaging such as crates or boxes. If you put them in bags, it is easy for the tomatoes to break due to the shock when they are transported, especially if the roads themselves are rural.
Tomato markets:
There are several types of markets where tomatoes can be sold.
1. There are informal markets such as Kilombero, Arusha, Kariakoo Dar, the main market Morogoro, Buhongwa, Mwanza, and other similar markets scattered throughout the country. The challenge of these markets is going through a series of brokers, each one wants to get it. These markets consume a large percentage of the tomatoes produced. It is estimated that more than 80% of the tomatoes produced are sold in these markets.
2. Institutional markets such as supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, schools, etc. You can look for deals to supply tomatoes to these markets. For example, if there are hotels, you can visit them and find out what kind of tomatoes they need, how much per day or per week, where they get tomatoes, etc. Then produce according to their needs if you agree. There are farmers who serve these markets with or without contracts.
3. Industrial markets (Industrial markets) such as Darsh Industries famous as REDGOLD who are in Arusha, they produce many products derived from tomatoes such as Tomato Sauce. There is also a factory called IVORI Iringa that uses tomatoes as raw materials etc.
4. Foreign markets.
The last three types require high quality, which is why few are successful in selling in those markets. For example, in foreign markets, your product must meet international or national standards.
Tomato prices:
Tomato prices depend on the seasons and the type of market. In these markets, the price of tomatoes usually increases from October to March or even April. During the period starting from December, production is low because few people are producing, because during that period there are many challenges, first of all, irrigation water is growing, which is a problem because many producers depend on rain. So the few who are in the water sources are the ones who produce. But also during that period there is a big challenge of insects and diseases, this leads to a small yield and high maintenance costs. During this period, the price of tomatoes in the field is Shs. 6,000 to 12,000 for a 20-liter bucket. The market price is 9,000 to 25,000 shillings for a 20-liter bucket.
In the season from April to September, the price of tomatoes is low, because the production is large, in many places the weather is good for production. During this period, the price of tomatoes is 2,000 to 5,000 for a 20-liter bucket.
According to TAHA, the price of tomatoes in various markets today, 13.12.2016, is as follows:
Makambako: 25,000TSh./Kreti 40Kg
Soweto: 30,000TSh./Tenga 40Kg
Lushoto: TSh 20,000/Tenga 40Kg
Arusha: TSh 28,000/Tenga 40Kg
Kirumba: TSh 20,000/ Kreti 40Kg
Kongowea Kenya: TSh 21,300/
Kreti 40Kg Kariakoo : TSh 20,000/Kreti 40Kg
Morogoro: TSh 30,000/Tenga 40Kg
Mwanakwe ZnkweZ: 4 5,000TSh./ Crate 40Kg
Dodoma: 60,000TSh./Tenga 40Kg
Mombasa ZnZ: 50,000TSh./Crate 40Kg
Mtwara: 30,000TSh./Tenga 40Kg
That is the situation in normal markets. In terms of official markets (factories, hotels, foreign markets), there are no major price changes like in other markets, although there are changes.
However, in order to penetrate the market and benefit from the market, you must be creative. Remember, an entrepreneur doesn't just follow the market, he creates the market. You have to be curious, do it differently. The goal of learning here is to give you a good foundation to become an architect. I leave you with these three rules to capture the market: The first is to be creative, the second is to be creative and the third rule is to be creative.
Thank you very much. See you next time