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Ministry of Food & Agriculture

Tomato Production

Tomato
Botanical name: Lycopersicon esculentum (L)

Suitable varieties: Roma VFN, Pectomech VF, Tropimech, Rio Grande, Jaguar, Lindo, Titao Derma,
Ada Cocoa.

Source of planting material: Buy certified seeds from reputable seed companies.

Climatic requirements/ Site selection: Tomato requires warm days, bright sunshine and cool
nights for optimum yields. High temperatures and low humidity cause excessive flower drop and
reduce yields drastically. Soils should be well drained and fertile.

Land preparation: A thorough land preparation is important in enhancing early crop

establishment and adequate weed control. Incorporation of well decomposed poultry manure at
the rate of 25ton/ha at land preparation may be beneficial. Prepare ridges or bed across the
contours on which seedlings may be transplanted. Construct a farm pond to collect excess water
and reuse for irrigation.

Propagation: Seeds can be sown on seed beds in seed trays or seed boxes. Prepare seed beds at
1.2m wide and at any convenient length and then level beds. Water beds, cover with dry grass
and burn or solarize soil with transparent plastic sheets for 5-8 weeks to sterilize the soil.

Sow seeds in drills 10cm apart. Cover beds with well dried non seeded grass or palm fronds.
After emergence remove dry grass and provide shade over the bed. Thin out weak, mal-formed
seedlings to avoid overcrowding. Prick out seedlings at first true leaf stage. Transplant seedlings
3-4 weeks after emergence on the field at 5-leaf stage. Two weeks before planting on the field,
apply a liquid feed of 5g/L of NPK 15-15-15. harden seedlings 1 week before transplanting by
decreasing shade until at least 1 day full exposure to sunlight and/or reducing irrigation.

Planting: Planting preferably late in the afternoon. Plant 60×30 cm in the dry season and 60×60
cm in the wet season.

Seed rate: 300g to 450g per ha.

Weed control: Timely weed control is necessary for healthy crop growth. This may be achieved
by frequent shallow hoeing. Application of pre-emergence weedicides 3-4 days before
transplanting will enhance weed control.

Irrigation: Water supply is very important especially in the dry season. The most critical time for
ample soil moisture is during bloom and early fruiting stages.

Nutrient requirements: For a yield of 40 tons/ha tomato requires about 96kg of N,16kg of P2O5,
144kg of K2O, 68kg of Ca, 24kg of Mg and 24kg of S.

Fertilizer application: Use soil test as a guide to fertilizer application. The table below is a general
recommendation.
Weeks after Transplanting Rate of Application

2&3 split application 400kg NPK/ha

4-5 100kg/ha Potassium Nitrate

6-8 split application 100kg/ha Sulphate of Ammonia

Application of commercial foliar sprays with adequate amount of Boron and Manganese would
enhance crop quality and yield.

Pests and Diseases Control: Major pests are aphids, grasshoppers, whiteflies, crickets, leaf
miners, beetles, mites and caterpillars. Control with the application of potassic soap solution
(alata samina) at 5g/L, insecticidal soaps or recommended insecticides.

Major diseases affecting tomatoes at pre-planting and later stages include:

Damping off Attacks seedlings on nursery beds. Control by selecting well-drained areas for the
nursery and regulate irrigation. Solarize the soil for 4-6 weeks before planting, or apply
recommended fungicides e.g. copper based fungicides.

Early blight: Attacks seedlings at the seedbed stage. High temperatures may favour disease
incidence. Use disease free seeds and prick out into individual containers.

Septoria leaf spot: Attacks the plant at any stage, under heavy infection, spots occur on the
stems and flowers. Control by burning all tomato remains after harvest, practice crop rotation
with cereals and legumes or use fungicides.

Sclerotium wilt: Attacks the base of the tomato stem. Affected plants show drooping leaves and
finally a complete wilt. Control by crop rotation, good field sanitation and by the use of
recommended fungicides.

Root knot nematode: Nematodes feed on young root causing wilt and thus reduction in fruit
yield. It can be controlled by applying recommended nematicides, use of tolerant varieties and
crop rotation using cereals, alternatively apply well decomposed poultry manure.

Harvesting: Fruits are harvested at mature green stage or full ripe but firm stage depending on
market demand and distance. Sort and pack in 52kg stackable wooden crates lined with
foam/dry straw or 40kg stackable crates.

Operational Budget/Ha/Yr

Activity Cost(Ghc)
Land rent 300.00

Land preparation 600.00

Seeds(100g x 4) 240.00

Fertilizer & manure 3630.00

Agro chemical 100.00

Labour 3500.00

Estimated total cost 8370.00

Yield: Yield varies greatly with cultivar and adherence to good agricultural practices. Yields of up
to 35-40 tons/ha are achievable.

Market requirement: The fruit should be firm and free from blemishes or any damage.

Revenue

Average yield/ha = 40 tons =40,000 kg

Percentage loss of 10%

Available yield = 90/100×40,000 = 36,000kg

Packaging in 36,000kg/52kg = 692.3 boxes

Farm gate price/52 kg box = Ghc20

Income = 692 bagsxGhc20 = Ghc13,840

Net income = Ghc13,840-Ghc8,370

= Ghc5,470.00

Note: This budget does not include fixed cost and overheads.

©2011

For further information contact:

The nearest agriculture office

Or

Horticulture Development Unit (HDU-DCS), MOFA, Accra

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Producers Association_Oct 2014

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