Tomato farming in Nigeria is essential because it provides us with juicy tomato fruits rich in vitamin A. Tomato farming in Nigeria is a lucrative farming business through which most households can make income to support themselves.
This article will show you how to start tomato farming in Nigeria. It can be on a small scale in the backyard or in commercial production.
How to grow tomatoes in Nigeria
- Nurse your seeds in a nursing box or piece of land.
- Observe a good seedling formation of the tomato.
- On the main site, prepare a planting bed with loose soil.
- Transfer the tomato seedlings between 2-3 inches when they grow tall.
- Water the tomato. Don’t overwater the plant.
- Apply manure if the land lacks nutrients.
- Stake the tomato (support the plant with sticks to enhance growth and fruiting).
- Start picking your tomato fruit between 60 to 100 days.
- Store the tomato in a cool, dry place.
How profitable is tomato farming in Nigeria?
Tomato farming in Nigeria is very profitable. Tomato farmers who implement the right tomato farming practices can yield 2-3 tonnes of tomato fruits per acre in Nigeria.
Tomato farming is also profitable when you can add value to the raw tomato fruits through processing and packaging. Most farmers experience post-harvest losses due to a lack of proper storage of tomatoes and low demand when tomatoes are in excess in Nigeria.
Cost of tomato farming in Nigeria
The cost of tomato farming in Nigeria is estimated between N 90,000 to N1,000,000. The cost includes land, seed input, and other resources to facilitate the tomato farm. This is an estimated cost, and it may vary due to the high cost of farm inputs in Nigeria.
Hybrid tomato farming
The best hybrid tomato seed in Nigeria is the Platinum F1 Tomato Hybrid. Platinum F1 hybrid tomato is the highest-yielding tomato in Nigeria and can withstand the harsh weather conditions in Nigeria. Platinum F1 tomatoes can also resist common tomato diseases in Nigeria.
Dry season tomato farming in Nigeria
Dry season tomato farming in Nigeria is very profitable because demand is high during this period. Tomato farmers in Nigeria employ irrigation systems to produce more tomatoes for the Nigerian market.
Modern tomato farming techniques
Nigeria’s modern tomato farming techniques are hydroponics, tomato farming, and irrigation. These systems allow farmers to grow tomatoes yearly without relying on weather patterns.
How long does it take to grow tomatoes in Nigeria?
It takes 60 days or more to harvest tomatoes in Nigeria. The growing and harvesting period of tomatoes depends on the variety, soil nutrients available, and farming practices recommended by Agronomists.
Which month to plant tomatoes in Nigeria?
December, January, February, and March are Nigeria’s best months to plant tomatoes. However, modern tomato farming techniques allow you to plant tomatoes any month of the year.
Conclusion
Growing tomatoes requires good agronomy practices to see high yields.
RELATED POST
- Best fertilizer for flowering tomatoes
- 5 Best Tips For Tomato Flowering But Not Fruiting
- Top 5 Tomatoes Benefits for Health
- When to plant tomatoes in South Africa
- Tomato farming in Ghana
