Rude shock for farmers with small greenhouses in Kenya

The marketers did a good job saying
"Tomatoes are very profitable crops because they are very productive if maintained well. Data from the ministry of Agriculture indicate that the year 2010 was the most profitable to farmers since the price of 1kg of tomato was ranging between $ 0.4-0.9. In technologically advanced countries like Israel, 1 ha of greenhouse produces up to 100 tons of fruit. Scientists all over the world have established that other than cut flowers; tomatoes, sweet pepper and cucumbers are some of the vegetables that can be produced economically in a greenhouse. The best cultivars for greenhouse production are the indeterminate varieties. These varieties can grow up to a length of 15 meters. One plant has a potential of up to 10 kg at first harvest, going up to 30 kg by the time it has completed its full cycle". BUT….OOPS many farmers were in for a rude shock! - Their savior had let them down!

Potential Profits lured many farmers and non farmers into purchasing greenhouses that were being marketed by some Agri-input suppliers. Many people were eager to adopt this technology because of the following reasons.

• This technology is associated with the rich and famous politicians, multinational corporations and EX- PRESIDENTS SO T'WAS OBVIOUS that small greenhouses will attract a following. By the way who does not want to be the first in the village to own such a structure!
  
• The economy was performing well thus the availability of credit from banks who previously considered farmers to be risky but due to increased economic prosperity, they had to fund farmers coz of excess funds
  
• Government initiatives like youth empowerment fund and women empowerment fund that unlocked funding for farmers.
  
• Farmers were convinced that the shorter period of crop maturity of two months for greenhouse-produced tomatoes was a fair bargain compared to the 4-5 months for outdoor farming.
  
• Apart from huge savings on crop protection chemicals, which constitute a huge part of production costs, less labor is employed in a greenhouse, while exposure to chemical toxins associated with application is minimized or eliminated altogether. It is also good for the environment.
  

 

Because of the above reasons, farmers were convinced to invest in a greenhouse kit, the cheapest comprising a 500 liters water tank, irrigation drip lines, plastic sheet, seeds and chemicals has been put at Ksh150,000 ($2,239) for those participating in the project. These companies had put some efforts in providing extension services to the farmers who purchased the greenhouses but that was not enough because Farmers were scattered all over the country thus it became very expensive and difficult to manage them leading to a high failure rate of this project.

 

Unfortunately most of the farmers did not have prior knowledge on greenhouse management strategies; the FOLLOW UP/ EXTENSION SERVICES initiated by promoters did little to increase their knowledge base. Neither were they exposed to the methods of identifying diseases like bacterial wilt; a destructive disease, pest of agro-chemicals among other pertinent issues.

 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I abide by the fact that such type of farming is profitable but more needs to be done to increase the knowledge of the farmers on greenhouse technology. Many farmers are having challenges on controlling heat in their greenhouse, using the appropriate foliar sprays and hormones to boost the productivity, mixing of fertilizers, controlling diseases like bacterial wilt and pests like white flies, aphids and above all harvesting sufficient water to last for the entire season. Every farmer experiences a unique problem in his greenhouse and it is difficult if not impossible to develop a handbook detailing each problem a farmer is likely to experience, but thanks to technology a forum like this will enable us to share some of the challenges and come up with appropriate mitigation measures.

How to share your problem with us

Briefly describe the general condition of your greenhouse e.g.

1. Type of soil/media used
   
2. Size of greenhouse especially its height above the ground
   
3. Other crops that you planted in the greenhouse before moving to tomatoes
   
4. Type of agricultural inputs that you use foliar feeds, pesticides, hormones, fertilizers, fungicides e.t.c
   
5. If you experience diseases in the greenhouse briefly describe the symptoms of the disease and if you can share with us a photograph we will appreciate
   
6. History of the greenhouse
   
7. And any other information that may be useful in diagnosing the problem
   

This type of information will enable us to get the big picture and advice you accordingly.

 

Thank you.

Haron Mogeni.