Tree tomato field day to address value addition

Bob Aston

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MOALF), Kilimo Biashara Promoters and Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society have planned for a farmer field day on tree tomato to be held at Peter Wamugi’s farm at Kahuruko area in Ol-Moran Ward on October 22,2015.

ALIN and partners believe that implementing strategic measures of competiveness along the tree tomato value chain is vital in empowering tree tomato farmers. The organizations are keen in addressing constraints during production, marketing, processing, and consumption.

The field day will enable farmers to learn good agronomics practices, value addition, production practices, agribusiness, soil management, marketing, integrated pests and disease management, value addition, Farm Records Management Information System (FARMIS), SOKO+ sms platform and harvesting and post-harvest management.

Picture of tree tomato

Production of Tree tomato or “matunda ya damu” In Kiswahili has been on the increase in Sipili area of Ol-Moran ward in Laikipia West Sub County in recent years. 

However, farmers rarely get an opportunity to interact, share best practices, and learn best agricultural practices from each other.  

The field day will look at how to enhance farmer production skills, and deliberate on how they can play an active role in the value chain. 

Farmers will be also be able to learn how to add value to tree tomato by making tree tomato jam, juice and tree tomato vegetable. Value addition of smallholder farmer’s tree tomatoes is essential in increasing their productivity, quality, and earnings.

Farmer knowledge sharing is essential to the successful adoption of good agricultural practices. Opportunities provided by field days and other forums play an important role in allowing farmers to bring their unique skills and perspectives together to address various challenges that they face.

On behalf of ALIN, we would like to welcome members of the public to the farmer’s field day on tree tomato, which will be held at Dimcom Nursery school field at “Baba wa Maitha” in Kahuruko on October 22, 2015 from 10:00 am.