Tomato farming in Kenya: How much can you earn from an acre?
Kenya has vast arable land. However, climatic conditions and lack of access to economies of scale discourage some from venturing into agriculture. But still, small-scale farming is rampant in the rural areas. For commercial farmers, the biggest question has always been what to plant. And tomato is and has always been a viable option – if done right. Therefore, how can you do tomato farming in Kenya, and how much can you earn from such a venture? TUKO.co.ke spoke to Samuel Mwangi, a veteran agronomist, to gather expert insights on tomato farming.
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Like most farming activities, the sun and water, on top of other things (fertiliser, insecticides etc.), are essential for tomato growth. But how do you ascertain that your tomato farming makes commercial sense?
How to start tomato farming in Kenya
The commercial benefits of open-field tomato farming in Kenya or in a greenhouse boil down to how. Of course, like every other crop, tomato farming requires the right climatic conditions to grow. Combine this with the right business acumen, and you’ll smile to the bank. But first, the fundamentals.
Ecological requirements
Tomato thrives best in low-medium rainfall with supplementary irrigation during periods of drought. But you don’t want it to be too wet as wet conditions increase disease incidences and affect ripening.
Therefore, as you figure out where to plant, you must remember that water proximity is integral to avoiding additional water pumping costs. The cost would eventually reduce your returns from the venture.
Another integral thing to remember is the previous crop. It would be best if you didn't plant tomato immediately after potatoes or pepper; you must observe a three-month break. Sticking to this practice to mitigate against pests and diseases.
Purchase high-yield tomato species
Even if you are doing small-scale tomato farming, you must settle on a high-yield variant. After all, you want a bumper harvest. The market has numerous varieties, suitable for different climatic conditions, resistant to certain pests and diseases, and much more. Hence, you must consider all these factors to reap the most significant returns from your farm.
Planting and nursery preparation
You must adhere to the standard nursery preparation practices as this is where your planting begins, so you want to ensure everything runs smoothly. It can be lights out here if you play your cards wrong.
Prepare the nursery by raising the soil around 15cm high and leaving spaces for walkways around 30cm or more between beds. Ascertain that the soil has fine particles. Watering at the nursery is best done in the morning and evening, and seeds are expected to sprout in around eight days.
Transplanting
Do transplanting using a garden trowel. You can also apply other modern tomato farming techniques you know to make the process as straightforward as possible. It is better to ascertain that the roots carry a sufficient bag of soil while moving to the field for planting.
Other essential practices
Once you have transplanted your seedlings, it is time to start caring for them to grow healthy and mature. This involves regular irrigation, fertiliser application, weeding and pest control. Ensure that you apply the right fertiliser at the right time and amount.
CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) is integral for lead development and should be applied immediately after transplanting. Apply urea for two to three weeks or CAN after five weeks. Once the flowering starts, top dress with NKP, and you can repeat this after the first harvest.
Harvest
Tomatoes should be ready for harvesting from the 70th day onwards, reliant on the variety planted. Of course, if you followed through and applied the appropriate pre-planting, planting and pre-harvest practices.
How much can one earn from one acre of tomatoes in Kenya?
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Farmers Trend shows you can make around Ksh.1,000,000 in total revenue from tomato farming in Kenya. But remember, there are production costs that you need to deduct from the sales prices of your produce. After deductions, you arrive at a profit of around Ksh.847,000 per acre. So, what factors are involved in arriving at this profit amount?
Yield of tomato per acre
The average tomato yield in Kenya is approximately 8 to 10 tonnes per acre, which translates to 20 to 25 tonnes per hectare. Some farmers, who are good at it, can achieve up to 20 tonnes per acre. Of course, such yields are achievable via proper farming practices and effective pest disease and control.
Production cost of tomato farming in Kenya
The production cost of tomato farming varies widely and relies on numerous factors, including and not limited to location, availability of labour and inputs, experience and expertise. Therefore, expect to incur around Ksh.25,000 to Ksh.50,000 for land preparation.
Cost of tomatoes seedling per acre
Tomato seeds are the most important in your farming venture. If you source the wrong seeds or the right seeds but are unsuitable for the climatic conditions of your region, you are doomed and will not realise maximum returns. Seedlings can cost you between Ksh.8,000 to Ksh.22,000 per acre.
Fertiliser and pesticide cost
Fertiliser and pesticides are another integral cost that you must incur for your tomatoes to grow well. Expect to spend around Ksh.15,000 to Ksh.30,000 per acre for fertiliser and between Ksh.5,000 to Ksh.25,000 per acre for pesticides.
Labour cost
Labour is essential when farming, especially planting, weeding, and harvesting. Your labour cost can range between Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.40,000 per acre.
Market price
Of course, market price fluctuates reliant on season, location, and quality. The average price of tomatoes ranges between Ksh.30 to Ksh.80 per kilogram. Remember that prices fluctuate during peak season, usually between December to March, and the low season, April to September.
Diseases that affect tomatoes
Knowledge of diseases is one of the most important things when you want to do tomato farming in Narok or any other location in the country. You must know about the diseases to protect your crop against them. And they are:
- Blossom end rot
- Bacterial wilt
- Tomato blight
- Fusarium wilt
- Anthracnose fruit rot
- Early blight
- Septoria leaf spot
Interview with an agronomist on tomato farming
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Samuel Mwangi, a veteran agronomist and founder of Samtech Agribusiness Solutions, discussed tomato farming in detail and provided tips on how farmers can turn the venture into a profitable enterprise.
Q: What are the key agronomic practices and resources needed to maximize a farmer's tomato production, especially if they are new to the industry?
Farmers must begin with proper site selection and soil preparation. Tomatoes thrive in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8. Before planting, the land should be ploughed and harrowed to achieve a fine tilth. Incorporating well-decomposed manure or compost helps enrich the soil with organic matter and improve water retention.
They should also select high-quality seeds or seedlings. Farmers should choose disease-resistant and high-yielding tomato varieties suitable for their local climate. Additionally, effective crop management is essential throughout the growing season. Regular irrigation, especially during flowering and fruiting, supports fruit development.
Q: How do market dynamics, such as price fluctuations and access to buyers, affect the earnings potential of tomato farming and what strategies can farmers use to secure stable markets?
There should be a timely selection of planting time to avoid overproduction. Tomatoes are highly perishable, and during peak harvest periods, oversupply often leads to a sharp drop in prices, reducing profit margins or even leading to losses. On the other hand, during off-season periods, scarcity can drive prices up, benefiting farmers who can produce during that time. These fluctuations create income instability and make it difficult for farmers to predict returns on investment.
Value addition has seen most farmers turn the game to a profit as you make the product that was perishable to rust longer and in a better state, which not only fetches profit but also reduces wastage. Farmers can also practise innovative farming, like in a greenhouse, where production can be prolonged, unlike the open field.
Q: What are the most significant challenges for tomato farmers and what agronomic solutions do you recommend to mitigate these and enhance profitability?
Tomato farmers face several significant challenges, with pest and disease pressure being among the most common. Poor pest management not only lowers profitability but can also lead to pesticide resistance and environmental harm. To address this, agronomists recommend adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that combine crop rotation, use of resistant varieties, biological controls, and minimal, targeted chemical use.
Unpredictable weather conditions, such as drought, heavy rainfall, or extreme heat, negatively affect growth and fruiting. Open-field tomato farming is particularly vulnerable to these changes. Agronomical solutions include the use of protected farming technologies like greenhouses and shade nets, which create controlled environments for optimal tomato growth. Additionally, using mulch and drip irrigation systems can conserve water and enhance plant health in response to erratic weather patterns.
Market access and price instability hinder profitability. Farmers frequently rely on middlemen and lack access to reliable buyers or market information. Agronomical and business advisory services should promote market-oriented production, where farmers grow what is in demand, when it's in demand. Forming cooperatives, adopting contract farming models, and investing in market intelligence tools can empower farmers to make informed decisions and improve their bargaining power, ultimately boosting profitability.
Q: Looking forward, what innovations or trends in tomato farming could increase earnings, and how can farmers adopt these to stay competitive?
Looking ahead, one of the most promising innovations in tomato farming is the adoption of smart farming technologies. These technologies help reduce production costs by maximizing input effectiveness. These innovations include precision agricultural tools, soil sensors, greenhouses, irrigation, etc.
The use of climate-resilient and genetically improved tomato varieties is also key for future competitiveness. Breeding advancements have led to the development of tomatoes that mature faster, resist pests and diseases, and tolerate drought or high temperatures. Agronomists and seed companies play a crucial role in training farmers on these varieties, ensuring they are matched to the local conditions and market preferences. Embracing such varieties will help farmers reduce losses and maintain a consistent supply, even under climate stress.
To stay competitive, farmers must also embrace digital platforms and e-commerce for marketing. By using mobile apps and online marketplaces, they can connect directly with consumers, retailers, or aggregators, bypassing middlemen and increasing earnings. Training on digital literacy, marketing skills, and access to affordable internet tools is crucial. Partnerships with agritech startups and support from agricultural extension services can help farmers integrate these innovations and remain competitive in an evolving market landscape.
What are the tomato growing areas in Kenya?
In Kenya, tomatoes are mostly grown along rivers in Narok County, Kajiado County, Makueni, Southern Embu, Laikipia and lower Kirinyaga. Interestingly, Kirinyaga County is the largest producer of tomatoes, with an estimated annual production capacity of 63,000 tonnes.
Which is the best month to plant tomatoes in Kenya?
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February is the best month to plant tomatoes in Kenya. The period has the right climatic conditions where the crop thrives well (warm season crop).
How much do I need to start tomato farming in Kenya?
The total estimated production cost of tomatoes in Kenya for a small-scale farmer on an acre is Ksh.250,000. Expect to use around Ksh.500,000 for medium scale and Ksh.800,000 for large scale.
How many crates of tomatoes can one-acre produce?
One acre can produce around 3,000 to 4,000 crates of tomatoes. Of course, you must have applied the proper farming practices to enjoy the bountiful harvest.
Tomato farming in Kenya: The bottom line
Tomato farming in Kenya is easy if you follow the proper farming practices and know the prevailing market conditions, including on and off-peak seasons. If you harvest the right amount and sell at the right price, you will enjoy the experience.
Are you interested in farming and looking for ways to increase or maximise your profits? Tuko.co.ke featured an informative article on how to make more returns from your venture.
Farming done right gives good returns. Of course, the opposite is true. So, what are the best practices to choose for the best returns?
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Simon Ayub (Lifestyle writer) Simon Ayub is a Content Manager, Strategist, and writer who joined Tuko's team in 2019. He graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Agricultural Economics and is a CPA. Simon has over a decade of experience creating content for nyagah.co.ke, the Hoth and other platforms. He works on content encompassing biographies, fashion and lifestyle, gaming, and more. Simon was awarded the "Writer of the Year" 2024 on Tuko. In 2023, Simon finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and, in 2024, expanded their skills through the Google Initiative Course. You can reach him via simonayub@gmail.com.
Clinton Nyabuto (Lifestyle journalist) Clinton Nyabuto is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over five years of professional experience in digital journalism. He has previously worked with the Standard Media Group as a Digital Writer and Sub-Editor, Scooper News Kenya as a Content Editor, and Nairobileo.co.ke as a Content Writer and Editor. For inquiries, contact him via email: clinton.nyabuto@tuko.co.ke.
