Tomato Greenhouse Farming

Tomato is the most common type of crop grown in a greenhouse. There have been numerous debates on whether it makes economic sense to plant Tomatoes in a greenhouse as opposed to doing it open field farming.
In Kenya There are various tomato varieties that can be grown in a greenhouse

1. Anna F1 – Monsanto
2. Tylka F1 – Syngenta
3. Corazon F1 – Amiran Kenya
4. Nemonetta F1 – Amiran Kenya

We decided to test this project live and these are the results.
Output Results

1. Type of Seeds: Anna F1
2. Number of Plants : 200
3. Production/Weekly Harvest : 105 kgs or 3.5 Crates (30kg Plastic Crates)
4.  Period of Harvest : 4 Months
5. Market Price : Low of 600 & a high of 2000
   
6. Gross Revenue : Ksh 96,000
7. Monthly Expenses/Deductions : Casual – Ksh 4000, Direct Cost Of Production – Ksh 3000, Transport – Ksh 1000
8. Net Revenue – Ksh 64,000

Management Practices Carried Out

1. Weeding : YES
2. De-suckering : YES
3. Layering : YES
4. Plant Support : YES
5. Defoliation : YES
6. Deflowering : NO
7. Thigmogenesis : NO
8. Folia Fertilizer Spraying : YES
9. Fertigation : NO

Challenges Faced
Diseases

1. Botrytis Blight/Grey Mold
2. Early Blight
3. Damping Off

Pests

1. White Flies
2. Thrips
3. Leaf Miner

Management Related

1. Lost some flowers and fruits during Layering
2. Blossom End Rot as a result of irregular Watering

Market Related Challenges

1. There were times when The market was flooded with open field Variety which saw prices Dip
2. There is a lot of prejudice about greenhouse Tomatoes regardless of how big and beautiful they look

Recommendation

1. Choose a good type of hybrid Seeds to Maximize Output
2. Be updated with Market Dynamics otherwise you may be exploited by middle men
3. Knowledge in Management of your Crops is Paramount. Do not be naive enough to think you can do it blindly