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How to Start Tomato Farming In Nigeria





Tomato is a very popular food item in Nigeria. It is consumed to the tune of millions Nigerians from all kinds of backgrounds, tomatoes is used in the preparation of various meals, stew, soup, sauce, etc. Because of the huge demand for tomatoes, the business of growing tomatoes within Nigeria is a lucrative one. Tomato is consumed every day in a lot of Nigerian homes and abroad.

Steps on how to start tomato farming in Nigeria
Take these simple steps in order to get started with the process of growing tomatoes.

1. Do some investigation
The first step to ensuring successful tomato cultivation within Nigeria is to conduct thorough research on tomato cultivation in Nigeria. Meet with other tomato farmers to learn what works and what isn’t working.
Learn about the mistakes to avoid when it comes to the tomato industry in Nigeria. Request the honest views on the business of growing tomatoes within Nigeria and draw the necessary conclusions.

2. Make a business strategy
Create a thorough enterprise plan for your tomato farm in Nigeria. The business plan can be described as a written document that contains the goals of your business as well as the method by which to achieve these goals as well as the time frame in which these goals must to be met. Write down your budget and the amount required to begin your farming and the return on the investment.

3. Buy, rent or lease a piece of land
To begin tomato farming in Nigeria the first step is to lease, rent or purchase a piece of land. It could be a few acres or plots of land, depending on the amount of capital you have. Find the best location to start growing your own tomato garden. Check that the land records are valid if you’re purchasing the property or leasing it.
Make sure you meet with the land owner in person in order to avoid fraud. Employ a lawyer to ensure that you have the correct documentation for land documents. It is essential to have reliable transport options available so that you will also have an easy means of moving your tomatoes following the harvesting.
Make sure there are safe roads that lead the way to your garden. There are a variety of states in Nigeria that generally offer incentive programs to promote tomato cultivation in Nigeria. One of the incentives is the availability of land suitable for tomato cultivation.
Ask your state’s Ministry of Agriculture in your state regarding these land incentives and how you could gain as a tomato farmer. It is also possible to negotiate with land owners in your state. They can sign an option of a joint venture agreement. You can cultivate tomatoes and also harness their property. In turn, you share your profits. This is advantageous since you do not have to invest money in purchasing a land parcel.


4. Preparing the soil for planting
As a tomato farmer it is essential to choose the right soil to plant your tomato. This is because a good soil will determine the kind of tomato that can be harvested. It will in turn determine the profits you earn from your tomato farming venture.
The soil must be fertile with sandy loamy. This is because the most delicious tomato is grown in deep, well-drained sandy soil. Be sure that the soil is abundant of organic material. The soil must also be enriched with plants nutrients, and have an acidity range of 6-7.
The soil must be level and loose. You must till the ground and then level it. Be sure that all vegetation is cleared correctly and then plowed around one to three times , making it lighter. If you have acidic soil, you can apply lime. Spray fungicides and insecticides.

5. Choose the right type of tomato seeds
The type of tomato seed you decide to plant must be one among the varieties listed below: Roma tomato, Cherry tomato, Beefsteak tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Globe or Slicing tomato, Grapes tomatoes, Campari tomatoes, Tom the berries tomato, Oxheart tomato, Pear tomato or Sauce tomato. The best tomato seeds to plant is the Roma tomato. Roma tomato has a lower moisture content, a deep red color, and bigger fruits.
The tomato seeds you select to plant will determine the development of your tomato fruit and its resistance to disease and the total production of your tomato following the harvesting.

6. Plant your tomato seeds
The ideal time to begin tomato cultivation in Nigeria is in March/April/May during the rainy season beginning. The tomato seeds must be planted in an area that is nursery. Set up the nursery bed for the first 5 weeks.
The nursery is a good space for tomato seeds to develop successfully. Utilize fertilizers that have a high percentage of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Start by planting it in the nursery and move it to the field later.
You can cover the tomatoes with a sheet of polyethylene to avoid fungi and bacterial infestation. It is important to use organic fertilizer and manure prior to planting your tomato seeds. The tomato seeds should be placed on the soil. The seeds should be covered with a quarter-inch layer of dirt. You can put down dry grasses to keep moisture from escaping.
After planting, you’ll begin to see them grow in the next seven days. Take the dry grasses off to allow proper plant growth. After that, let the plant to grow for approximately one month or five weeks prior to moving them to the field.

7. Harvest your tomato
Tomato is very prolific in its growth. The tomatoes will be harvested within 3 months. Tomatoes are typically harvested in small batches. Once you’ve harvested your first batch of tomatoes, you are able to harvest tomatoes on a continuous basis on your farm. Keep this going until the plants are dead during the dry season.

8. Sell your tomato
After you’ve harvested your tomatoes the next thing you need to do is to offer your tomatoes to potential buyers. Tomatoes are a highly perishable crop. Refrigerating or processing your tomato is the only method to safeguard them from spoilage. This is why you should start searching for potential buyers for your tomatoes before you harvest the tomatoes. If you don’t market your tomatoes right away you could lose the entirety of your investment into your business.
The best method to avoid this is to ensure that you have buyers in place prior to harvesting. Make yourself available immediately following the harvesting. The demand for tomatoes is extremely high, so it’s easy to find customers for the tomatoes you harvest.
In the event that you opt to take on tomato cultivation in Nigeria, it is likely that you will certainly see a good return on the investment. You can sell your tomato crop to purchasers, or even to tomato processing companies that produce tomato paste. You’ll earn a substantial amount of money.

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