Tomato Greenhouse Farming in Nigeria
Tomato greenhouse farming is the cultivation and growing of tomato in a greenhouse. The use of greenhouse for the growing of tomato is common in Nigeria. Farmers use greenhouses to grow tomatoes because the use of greenhouse can lead to higher yields.
Greenhouses protect tomato plants from the elements. They also protect tomato plants from pests and diseases.
Tomato greenhouse farming is a new development in Nigeria. Farmers are now embracing the use of greenhouses to grow tomato.
Steps to take to start tomato greenhouse farming
The following are the steps to take to start tomato greenhouse farming in Nigeria:
Design and Install the Greenhouse
Get Greenhouse Tomato Varieties
Transplant the Tomato Seedlings to the Greenhouse
Marketing of Greenhouse Tomato Produce
Get a Suitable Site
The first step in tomato greenhouse farming is to get a suitable site for the installation of the greenhouse. The site should also have good access to sunlight.
The site should have accessible road so that the greenhouse tomato produce can be easily evacuated.
Design and Install the Greenhouse
There are different types and shapes of greenhouses. You should only use the type of greenhouse suitable for your location.
An expert should be engaged to design your greenhouse for you. An expert should also be consulted for the installation of the greenhouse.
You can buy a greenhouse here.
Install the Irrigation System
Drip irrigation is the preferred type of irrigation for tomato plants in greenhouses. Sprinkler irrigation can be used for the tomato seedlings when they are in the nursery.
You should engage experts to install your irrigation system for you.
Get Greenhouse Tomato Varieties
You should only plant greenhouse tomato seeds in your tomato greenhouse. Hybrid tomato seeds are preferred for greenhouse growing of tomato. Some of these greenhouse tomato varieties include Tylka F1, Anna F1 and Shanty F1 etc.
Planting of indeterminate tomato varieties can increase the yield of tomato plants in greenhouses.
Start a Nursery
A tomato nursery is needed before you can grow your tomato in a greenhouse. Nursery trays, coco peat or any other suitable growing substrate, shade net and watering system are some of the agro inputs needed for a tomato nursery set-up.
Tomato seedlings spend about 4-6 weeks in the nursery before transplantation.
Transplant the Tomato Seedlings to the Greenhouse
Transplantation of the tomato seedlings should be done after 4 – 6 weeks stay of the seedlings in the nursery.
Transplanting of tomato seedlings should be done when the intensity of the sun is low; this is usually in the morning or evening.
The field should also be irrigated before the transplanting of the seedlings.
Application of Fertilizers
Greenhouse tomato plants need specialized fertilizers like soluble chelates, Mono-Ammonium Phosphate, soluble NPK fertilizers, urea, calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate etc. These fertilizers should be applied as advised by your agronomist.
Application of Pesticides
The right pesticides like insecticides, fungicides, nematicides and acaricides etc should be applied to the tomato plants in the greenhouse as advised by your agronomist.
Staking
Staking involves the use of stakes and ropes to make the tomato plants grow in a vertical position so that the leaves and fruits of the plants will not lay on the soil. Staking improves aeration in the greenhouse and can also reduce the incidences of diseases.
The ropes should be slightly tied to the stem of the tomato plants.
Pollination
Due to the enclosed nature of the greenhouse, bees should be introduced to the greenhouse for the pollination of the tomato plants.
Artificial pollinators and pollinating solutions can also be used for the pollination of the tomato plants.
Harvest
Harvesting of the tomato fruits starts after 65 – 90 days of tomato seedlings’ transplantation.
Harvest should be done every 2 – 4 days.
Marketing of the Greenhouse Tomato Produce
Tomatoes harvested from greenhouses are sold at the premium market like high end supermarkets and hotels. Greenhouse tomatoes are sold at premium prices.
Do you want to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse in Nigeria? If yes, why not contact us 0n 08025141924 for guidance.
You can buy greenhouse cover here.
You can buy a greenhouse net here.
