Dr Shepard Ndlela
Tomato production is a nightmare in most parts of Kenya’s leading tomato producing areas such as Kirinyaga, Taita Taveta and Kajiado. There is so much hope when farmers transplant seedlings into the traditional open field production field system. Sometimes the newly transplanted seedlings establish successfully, offering a glimmer of hope to farmers and their families whose livelihoods centre around tomato production and marketing. However, the smiles fade as pests and diseases take centre stage, decimating the promising crop and leaving a painful trail of destruction marking the end of a promising agricultural venture.
The rebranded icipe led and Biovision foundation funded project dubbed “Integrated Sustainable Production of Tomatoes (ISPOT) in Kenya”, is responding to this nightmare, and restoring the long gone smiles on the faces of tomato growers in Kirinyaga. “The new approach is holistic in the sense that it addresses issues of soil fertility, the major pest of tomatoes (Tuta absoluta) and also a myriad of other insect pests and diseases,” explains Dr Samira Mohamed, the lead Scientist in the project. “We want to demonstrate that it is vital for farmers to test their soils before transplanting and use environmentally friendly organic fertilizers to enhance soil nutrition. Furthermore, we are promoting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach aimed at managing the most devastating pest of tomatoes; Tuta absoluta, as well as leaf eaters and sap sucking insect pests which transmit viral diseases,” she further expounds.
The current project realized that among many other limitations to tomato production; soil infertility, Tuta absoluta and diseases ranked high in affecting yield quality and quantity every year. Against this background, Safi Organics were roped in to provide expert services on soil testing and provision of cost effective naturally derived organic fertilizers which are friendly to the environment. Real IPM, a science based organization specializing in biological control of insect pests, mites and diseases was also brought on board to provide expert services to farmers. The county of Kirinyaga, has been supportive of the cause to produce clean safe tomatoes, and continues to avail extension officers in training and awareness campaigns. Thus icipe, the county government of Kirinyaga, Safi Organics and Real IPM are working with tomato farmers in the five sub counties of Kirinyaga and dedicated technical personnel based in the county are available to provide support services whenever required.
The project has trained agricultural extension officers and model farmers who are championing on farm demonstrations to show that production of tomatoes is possible without the application of broad spectrum synthetic pesticides. The pesticides are often not registered with the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) and are generally not friendly to the user, the environment and frequently leave high levels of chemical residues on tomatoes sold in the market.
For successful tomato production, a farmer must seek for soil testing services to appreciate the level of fertility in his farm. This will guide on quantities of fertilizer to be added, instead of wild estimations which can result in less or more fertilizer being added. In the current project, Safi Organics provide soil testing and recommendations services at nominal fee. Organic fertilizers have the advantage of encouraging development of soil micro organisms which help break down organic matter in the soil and also lead to improved soil aeration. The IPM package being promoted uses traps, attractants (lures), field sanitation, use of biopesticides, and also natural enemies. The wide range of products by our partner Real IPM, control whiteflies, aphids, African bollworm, thrips, Tuta absoluta and other leaf miners, red