Even as Nigeria makes plans to diversify its revenue base away from oil, many have failed to tap into the agricultural sector. One of such opportunities, to be found in the agricultural sector, and to utilize efficiently this year, is tomato farming.
Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crops grown all over Nigeria. In Nigeria, the tomato is regarded as the most important vegetable after onions and pepper.
Nigeria ranks as the 16th largest tomato producing nation in the world and has a comparative advantage and potential to lead the world in tomato production and exports. The production of tomatoes in Nigeria in 2010 was about 1.8 million metric tons, which accounts for about 68.4% of West Africa, 10.8% of Africa’s total output and 1.28% of world output.
There are two part of tomato farming you can go into if interested; both tomato processing and tomato production.
Here Are Materials Needed For Setting up A Tomato Farm:
A Farmland: To start a tomato farm, you would need a wide area for farming. You may be starting out at the back of your house. You need to have a dedicated farmland to cultivate your tomato crops.
Tomato seeds: Choose the right varieties of tomato seeds that can be easily cultivated in Nigeria. Sow seeds thinly into small, round, plastic pots filled with soil-less seed-sowing compost. As most tomatoes seeds are not directly buried in the ground but are later transferred to the farmland.
A Good Irrigation System: Your tomatoes need to grow in a highly regulated watered environment. Tomato has a fair resistant to moderate drought, ensure the irrigation can work effectively for the cultivation of the plant. Make sure that you pour water into the soil and not the plant.
Fertilizers: Sometimes the farmlands are not suitable to grow tomato crops, which is when you will need to fertilize the soil to achieve maximum growth. This is essential for the crop’s full and healthy maturity.
