Tomatoes are one of the most profitable horticultural crops that are easy to grow in most parts of Kenya. This is because most meals are never complete without a taste of tomato. Additionally, there is a ready market for tomatoes, thus encouraging many farmers to invest in tomato farming. However, the farm should be established under optimum conditions for good production. This article focuses on tomato farming in Kenya, most importantly on where tomatoes do well in Kenya.
Tomatoes do well in areas located along rivers in Narok, Kajiando, Makueni, and Southern Embu, as well as Laikipia and lower Kirinyaga in Kenya. These areas have the necessary growth requirements for tomatoes, thus ensuring high-yielding, high-quality crops that meet the user’s preference.
These places are good for tomato farming because of the following five factors:
1. Have an ideal high temperature for the growth of tomatoes.
2. They have deep, well-drained soil.
3. The rivers around these areas provide much-needed water for irrigation practices.
4. These places receive low or moderate rainfall in a year.
5. Climate condition is warm or hot, which is good for planting tomatoes.
Tomatoes are planted in deep, well-drained soil in Kenya. The leading areas for growing tomatoes are Central Kenya, the Rift Valley like Naivasha and Nakuru, the Eastern provinces and parts of Western Kenya like the Mount Elgon regions.
Tomato Farming in Coastal Regions
The coastal regions are described as hot areas that are good for tomato production. The region’s temperatures range from 26.2 to 33.6 degrees. The soil in most parts is well drained, deep and friable, ranging from fine loamy sand to sandy clay loam.
The region’s tomato production mainly depends on rainfall, although irrigation can increase production, especially in drier areas. The varieties grown are mainly processing types like Rome, San, Marzano, Heinz 1350, and Rutgers.
The main tomato production practices include growing plants on ridges, mulching, pruning, rotation, and fertilizing using organic fertilizer and farmyard manure.
The major tomato growing and producing counties in Kenya are Kirinyaga, leading at the moment, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta counties.
Best Time to Plant Tomatoes in Kenya
Tomatoes are fast-growing crops, with some varieties reaching maturity as early as two to three months after transplanting.
Tomatoes are planted almost every season, but the best time to grow them is in the rainy season, from June to July and from May to October. This is because there is enough rainfall during these months for growth and early maturity, making profits during the festival season in early December.
