Tomatoes farming has been an agricultural cash cow since time immemorial - primarily due to the general belief that everyone eats tomatoes - Which may be true, by the way.
In Nigeria, tomatoes farming is practised predominantly in the northern region. They are also grown in other parts of the country, like the southern region. However, at some point the average yield of tomato production in the country greatly reduced - this was due to the inability of growers/farmers to adapt to the new practices obtainable in Agriculture. In order words, 80% of tomato growers in Nigeria still plant using old and outdated methods.
Would you like to plant tomatoes? Do you want to know how you can grow your income by up to 100% through tomato farming? This article is for you.
Tomatoes have been one of Farmsby’s major crops since we started our farm. We have enjoyed enormous yield and have drawn lessons from losses. Therefore, I will be sharing proven tips on how to grow tomatoes to achieve a tremendous harvest.
Seed Variety:
Like we said in the previous articles (which you should see, by the way). The healthier the seeds, the greater your harvest. The advantages of using quality seed cultivars cannot be overemphasised. Planting untreated seeds can go as far as introducing dangerous microbes to the soil, which would generate soil infections that could persist for years. Make it a priority to purchase quality seeds from credible seed vendors. By doing this, you give your crops a chance to grow rapidly and sturdily, resist pests and diseases, and most importantly, produce an abundant harvest.
Soil nutrients:
Most people neglect the importance of enriching the soil due to the idea that "Nigeria soil is Rich''. While this idea is vague in its entirety, it shouldn't be considered as a yardstick before making important decisions on your farm. Tomatoes thrive on extremely fertile land laced with an abundance of both micro and macronutrients. To achieve this, you have to enrich your soil with both organic and inorganic fertilizers. Also, do not overwork your farm. Normalize letting your farm fallow from time to time.
Pest/disease control:
The trick to having a disease-free farm is prevention. Medicine after death is also not applicable in farming. Therefore, use suitable pesticides to control insect vectors. Cull already infected plants to avoid further spread of diseases.
Planting method:
There are two methods, direct sowing and transplanting method. Choose whatever is suitable for your plant cultivar.
Planting operations:
Your planting activities would make all the difference between a bad planting season and a fruitful one. Here are tips on what exactly you should be doing on your farm periodically:
Water deeply and frequently - Tomatoes need enough water to thrive.
Mulch to conserve water and regulate temperature. Tomatoes love the heat.
Therefore, allow the sun to preheat the plants first before adding layers of mulch.
Prune leaves for more tomatoes, especially the oldest (bottom) leaves which are more susceptible to fungal infections.
During transplanting, plant your tomatoes deep to bury the stems - this will encourage producing more roots.
Practice proper spacing while planting. Do not crowd tomatoes seedlings.
Practice greenhouse farming to grow tomatoes in a controlled environment.
Harvest over a long period, E.g a month. Do not rush to harvest.
In conclusion:
Employ skilled and experienced personnel; If you are starting a tomato farm for the first time, honestly, you can't do it alone. Contact professionals for advice and consultation. Visit us at farmsby.com to get the help you need.
