How to Start Tomato Farming in Nigeria

Source
Much the same as few organic products which are easy to plant; planting tomatoes or Setting up a tomatoes farm in Nigeria and developing them is very straightforward as putting a seed in the ground and concealing it with sands. I will walk you through the way toward planting your own tomatoes.

1. Locate an ideal site for your tomato farming

The initial step you have to take is for you to locate an ideal site for your tomatoes farm. Pick a site that isn't too a long way from the market. And furthermore, there ought to be a simple transportation get to accessible, in other to have a simple method for transporting your tomatoes when the time comes; subsequent to reaping.

2. Pick a wellbeing land/soil for your tomato farming

It is critical to painstakingly pick or select a decent soil for planting your tomatoes on the grounds that a decent and sound soil will decide the kind of tomatoes that will be created and the general profitability of your tomato business.

The dirt could be an all around oversaw sandy topsoil and overwhelming earth soils free of hardpan yet realize that the best tomatoes are acquired from profound, all around depleted soil. Remember that the dirt ought to be rich in natural issue and it ought to be supplied with plant supplements, with a pH estimation of 6 to 7.

In setting up your property; the dirt ought to be all around readied, free and in great tilth. The dirt ought to be cleared of all weeds and may be furrowed (assuming substantial) for around 1-3 times to make it light weights. Regardless where you have an acidic soil; you can diminish or level it by applying lime in a proper quality.

3. Pick the correct tomato assortments

another great method for getting the best from your tomatoes farming is to plant the correct tomato assortments. The diverse assortments of tomatoes developed on the planet for the most part are;

Beefsteak tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Plum tomatoes
Grapes Tomatoes
Campari tomatoes
Tom berries Tomatoes
Oxheart tomatoes
Pear tomatoes
Cutting or Globe tomatoes

However, in Nigeria, the assortments of tomatoes in Nigeria can be grouped with their shapes, nearby names and places of development. They are;

Assortment Local Name Place of cultivation Tomatoes shapes
Yoruba Agbara Round
Hausa (Scissors) Kano Oblong ( pointed tip)
Tiwantiwa Kajola Oval
Hausa Sokoto Oblong (banana shape)
Yoruba Ogbomosho Round
Beske (Ebira) Okene Round
Hausa Zaria Oblong
Beske Kajola Round
Beske (Ebira) Okene Oval (collapsed in base)
Hausa Zaria Oval ( pointed tip)
Hausa (Scissors) Kano Oblong (pointed tip)
Hausa Sokoto Oval (shield-like)
Hausa Sokoto Oblong
Hausa Kano Oval

However, in the event that you are confounded on which assortment to plant, it is suggested that you plant the Roma tomato (which is a plum tomato as a result of its thin and firm nature). It is generally utilized as a part of Nigeria, likewise prevalent and has no protest with atmosphere.

Source

4. Plant Your Tomato

The most ideal approach to plant your tomato is by first planting it in the nursery, at that point later transplanting to the field. Ensure you set up the nursery bed for a time of around 5 weeks.

This is finished by covering them with a polyethylene sheet to avoid weed development, parasite, nematodes, irritations, and microbes. You ought to consider applying natural excrement and manure before planting. Realize that your seedbed ought to be 55-65cm wide, 5-6cm long and 20-25cm high.

On How to Plant Your Yomatoes; Planting your tomatoes should be possible around March/April amid the start of drizzling season. Plant by setting the tomatoes seeds on the dirt and cover with a quarter inch layer of soil and press it with your hand or handle (you may cover it with dry grasses on the off chance that you need. This is to counteract loss of dampness).

In the wake of planting, you will see them developing in the following 5-7 days (you would then be able to expel the dry grasses to take into consideration legitimate development) at that point enable it to develop for around one month or 5 weeks before transplanting to the field.

(Note; Your Tomato Nursery should be possible on a little farm or on your garden; in the event that you have one. Simply ensure that the dirt is solid and watched over.)

5. Transplant Your Tomatoes (moving your tomato plant to the plant)

Following one month or five weeks of planting your tomato in the nursery then you would now be able to uninhibitedly plant them in the field. Tomatoes are exceptionally delicate and delicate, it is best transplanted that day you evacuated it from the nursery to stay away from lack of hydration and weakness.

You ought to do the transplanting with hand to forestall harms (don't utilize any machines for this). In the event that your farm is extensive, at that point you ought to think about utilizing more works to help you in this.

On How to Transplant Your Tomatoes; You should Open the dirt of where you need to transplant with a bit of little wood, embed the seedling into the gap and cover it with free soil. The dirt where you expect to transplant your plant ought to be damp.

(Note; after transplant, the seedbeds ought to be flooded consistently in the wake of sowing and until the point that the seedlings achieve a stature of 5 to 7 cm. Don't simply abandon it like that, or disaster will be imminent, it will kick the bucket.)

6. Inundate Your Tomato Farm

in the event that you need to outdo your harvest; at that point guarantee you supply your plant with enough water. Amid the dry season (these are the basic circumstances), between the period of October and February, ensure you always supply your water with enough water; like in each 3-7 day's interim (contingent upon the sort of soil). Realize that you shouldn't put excessively water on it to keep them from splitting.

7. Weed and Fertilize Your Tomato Farm

Following one to two months of transplanting your tomatoes from the nursery, you ought to consider weeding your tomato farm. You ought to be watchful as you weed to anticipate harms on your tomato edit.

You can likewise utilize Chemical weed control, by applying enlisted chemicals. On the off chance that you expect to utilize Mechanical techniques to weed, it ought to be shallow and not very near the plant; to forestall harms to the plants.

Compost ought to be connected after the principal weeding. This is to help restock the dirt supplements taken or influenced by the weeds. The manure ought to have substance like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, molybdenum, calcium, and magnesium, alongside other follow minerals, all in satisfactory amount. Tomato requires these minerals to develop and thrive.

8. Control Pests and Diseases in Your Tomato Farm

Aside from weed control, you ought to likewise control your tomato plant from bugs. Case of a few tomatoes nuisances and illnesses are;

Plusia looper
Cutworm
Rust bug
Red creepy crawly parasite
Nematodes
Aphids
Leaf digger/potato tuber moth\Bacterial shrink
Fusarium shrivel
Late curse
Erinose bug
Bacterial blister
Thrips

These irritations and infections can be controlled by;

Rehearsing crop pivot.
Continuously decimate tainted plants and discard them from the field.
Utilizing enrolled chemicals.
Rehearsing of appropriate sanitation.
What's more, controlling seepage.

Source

9. Gather You Tomatoes

Your tomatoes will develop following 3 month that is around 8-12 weeks. By at that point, you should begin picking them. The shading additionally ought to likewise disclose to you that it is ready. You should pick your ready tomatoes as indicated by size, shading, and quality

10. Store Your Tomatoes

In case you're not taking your tomatoes to the market quickly, you may store your tomatoes. Pack your tomatoes in wooden boxes, container or containers. Store them in a room which temperature is around 12°C and 86% to 90% relative mugginess.

11. Market Your Tomatooes

In the wake of collecting and putting away, at that point it's a great opportunity to advertise your tomatoes.

It's critical you've distinguished the best market/merchants to offer your tomatoes for on the grounds that tomatoes are extremely delicate and perishable.

Not at all like rice, cocoa, and so forth, you can't store tomatoes for a drawn out stretch of time, so the market must be prepared, even before you gather your tomatoes.