Egerton University has trained over 4,000 farmers on greenhouse tomato farming and a new tomato grafting technology that originated in China aimed at boosting tomato production in the country.

University Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage said the project is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to offer tomato farmers a more sustainable and productive method to grow the essential crop.

The VC said that the core objective of the project was to bolster food security and nutrition, reduce poverty among smallholder farmers by improving quality and productivity of the crop, transferring grafting technology to locals and empowering the youth through innovative solutions in the tomato value chain.

Prof Kibwage explained that, as demand for tomatoes rises and challenges from pests, diseases and climate change intensify, grafting was emerging as an innovative solution that could enhance yields and improve livelihoods through increased yields.

The vice chancellor was happy that the joint venture between Egerton University and Nanjing University on improving tomato yields through the project had proven successful, beneficial to farmers by improving the crop’s yields.

Following the adoption of the new technology, Prof Kibwage said there was a growing demand from farmers for continued support, particularly in scaling up the project through greenhouse tomato farming.

“Egerton University is committed to expanding the initiative to reach more farmers, aiming to boost agricultural productivity across the country,” added the don.

Speaking when he hosted a delegation led by the Chinese Director of Confucius Institute Professor Liu Yutao, Prof Kibwage said researchers at Egerton University adopted the Chinese technology after they realised that bacterial wilt (Ralstonia Solanacearum) had become troublesome tomato farmers in the region.

While affirming that the partnership was committed to expanding the initiative to reach more farmers to help boost agricultural productivity across the country, Prof Kibwage said agronomists at Egerton University learnt of a Chinese tomato variety known as wells, that is tolerant to the bacterial wilt that would increase tomato production across the country.

He said Egerton University researchers were currently working with 14 farmers in conducting trials on tomato rootstocks that are resistant to bacteria wilt and that they were intending to move to all the 47 counties once the trials were successful.

The advanced grafting technology has since been introduced on trial basis in Nakuru, Kisumu and Nyandarua counties to boost yields and manage bacterial wilt disease in greenhouse tomatoes.

Associate Professor in Egerton University’s Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soil Joshua Otieno Ogweno said the technology involved grafting a scion of the commercial Anna F1 tomato variety onto the wells variety rootstock, which is very tolerant to bacterial wilt. He said this method produces resilient plants that mature earlier and yield more fruit compared to un-grafted plants.

He added that the project that was also being supported by triangular cooperation facility, dubbed “Empowering Rural Youth through Innovative Horticultural Solutions” was expected to bring a revolution in the Tomato Value Chain.

Prof Ogweno said his department had extensively trained four youths from the three counties on the grafting technology and were expected to be trainers of trainers in their respective regions towards addressing major challenges that have compelled many farmers to abandon tomato production in greenhouses.

He assured that they had identified a reliable seed company that would supply the grafted tomato planting material to ensure sustainability of the project.

Professor Liu Yutao said that over 290,000 hectares of tomatoes have been planted in Kenya, yielding a total production of 681,000 metric tons following the adoption of the new grafting technology and that there were plans to expand the technology to other regions in Kenya to improve food security.

“We are also eyeing innovations in the tomato value chain to empower more rural youth and women as a way of creating a decent income,” added the don.

Prof Liu who is also the Director of the Confucius Institute at Egerton University rooted for investments in the commercialization of grafted seedlings adding that they were urging investors to consider engaging in the commercialisation of grafted seedlings as the move would enable farmers to continue producing tomatoes once their current crops are harvested.

In 2023, the Confucius Institute of Egerton University invited the first batch of agricultural experts from Nanjing Agricultural University to Kenya to provide training on the tomato grafting technology.

The 14 demonstration sites of grafted tomato seedlings have been established in Molo, Njoro, Subukia, Bahati, Gilgil, Kuresoi South, and Naivasha. Additionally, farmers practicing open-field tomato production in Rongai Sub-County have also benefited from the green houses tomato grafting training. 

• A Tell Media / KNA report / by Esther Mwangi