tomato business plan in zambia

Tomato Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Agriculture Sector

Do you want to start a tomato farm and need to write a plan? If YES, here is a sample tomato farming business plan template & FREE feasibility report.

Interestingly, tomato is a universal vegetable or fruit because it is grown and eaten around the world. It is used in diverse ways, including raw in salads or incorporated into a variety of dishes, or processed into ketchup or tomato soup. Unripe green tomatoes can also be breaded and fried, used to make salsa, or pickled.

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Tomato juice is sold as a drink, and is used in cocktails such as the Bloody Mary. It is important to state that starting a tomato farming business comes with its own fair share of challenges, but that does not rule out the fact that it is indeed a profitable business venture. An aspiring entrepreneur can either choose to start on a small or large scale depending on their financial status.

A Sample Tomato Farming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Tomato farming is a niche idea in the Hydroponics and Vegetable farming industry and operators in this industry grow a wide variety of vegetables in open fields and in greenhouses. But in actual sense, when it comes to commercial cultivation of tomatoes, hydroponic technique is often used in hostile growing environments, as well as high-density plantings.

A tomato is 95 percent water, contains 4 percent carbohydrates and less than 1 percent each of fat and protein. In a 100 gram amount, raw tomatoes supply 18 calories and are a moderate source of vitamin C (17 percent of the Daily Value), but otherwise are absent of significant nutrient content.

According to statistics published by Wikipedia, in 2016, world production of tomatoes was 177 million tonnes, with China accounting for 32 percent of the total, followed by the European Union, India, the united states, and Turkey as the major producers. Global tomato exports were valued at 85 billion US dollars in 2016.

Tomatoes are easy to preserve whole, in pieces, as tomato sauce or paste by home canning. They are acidic enough to process in a water bath rather than a pressure cooker as most vegetables require. The fruit is also preserved by drying, often in the sun, and sold either in bags or in jars with oil.

If you are a close observer of the vegetable farming industry, you will agree that the industry is anticipated to increase due to increasing consumer health consciousness, which has led to increasing demand for fresh produce. While per capita fruit and vegetable consumption has remained stable over in recent time, the price of vegetables have increased as consumers demand premium, fresh vegetables.

So also, the number of both small and large farms have been increasing. Small, local farms are benefiting from the organic, local movement, while large, commercial farms are improving labor efficiency. Going forward, players in the vegetable farming industry will continue to increase revenue generation for their business.

The companies that have the lion share of the market in this industry are NatureSweet Ltd., Houweling’s Tomatoes and Village Farms International Inc. but smaller tomato farms can successfully make profits in the industry.

Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 44,900 registered and licensed vegetable farms (tomato farms inclusive) responsible for employing about 132,048 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $20 billion annually. The industry was projected to enjoy -0.7 percent annual growth between 2014 and 2019.

A recent report published by IBISWorld shows that over the five years to 2019, revenue for the Hydroponic Crop Farming industry has mostly decreased. During the five-year period, while overall vegetable prices have increased, industry revenue has been limited by years with significant drops in vegetable prices.

However, extreme weather conditions damaged many crops for fresh field farmers, so grocery stores and farmers’ markets quickly turned to hydroponic farmers to meet their demand.

In particular, drought throughout many parts of the United States over the past five years harmed agricultural industries across the board, presenting an opportunity for hydroponic crop farmers. Over the five years to 2019, industry revenue is expected to decrease at an annualized rate of 0.9 percent to $830.8 million.

As a matter of fact, with the recent advancement in technology, farmers can now comfortably grow varieties of vegetables in a country where such crops can hardly survive and in places where there are few farming land, people can make use of the rooftop (basement) of their houses to cultivate vegetables even for commercial purposes.

One thing is certain when it comes to tomato or vegetable farming in general, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies before choosing a location for cultivating your tomato, you are more likely not going to struggle to grow the business and also to sell your tomatoes because there are always food processing companies and consumers out there who are ready to buy from you.

2. Executive Summary

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a registered and licensed commercial vegetable farm with bias in tomato cultivation that will be based in the outskirt of San Antonio, Texas – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure 25 hectares of land to start our tomato farm.

We will always leverage on both field and greenhouse farming to cultivate tomatoes in commercial quantities hence we will construct a structure with walls and roof made essentially of transparent material in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.

At Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC we will be involved in the cultivation of different species of tomatoes such Beefsteak tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, Campari tomatoes, Pear tomatoes and Oxheart tomatoes et al both in organic and non – organic forms.

We are in the tomato farming business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the agriculture industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading tomato farms in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and machines to run the business with. We have put processes and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to tomato farming and packaging as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America.

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a private registered commercial vegetable farm that is owned by Philip Clinton and his immediate family members. The company will be fully and single handedly managed by the owner – Philip Clinton and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.

3. Our Products and Services

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a commercial vegetable farm that will be involved in cultivating different species of tomatoes via greenhouse and land farming for both the United States’ market and the global market. We are in business to produce tomatoes in commercial quantities.

We will also ensure that we operate a standard tomatoes processing and packaging plant as part of our complimentary business. We will be involved in the;

• Cultivation of different species of tomatoes such as; Beefsteak tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, Campari tomatoes, Pear tomatoes and Oxheart tomatoes et al both in organic and non – organic forms
• Processing and packaging tomatoes

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become one of the number one tomato cultivator and exporter not just in Texas, but also in the United States of America.
• Our mission statement as a commercial tomato farming business is to go into full – time cultivation of tomatoes that will not only be consumed in the United States of America, but also exported to other parts of the world.
• We want our well – processed and packaged tomatoes to flood the nooks and crannies of the United States.

Our Business Structure

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a commercial tomato farm that intends starting small in San Antonio – Texas, but hopes to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading commercial tomato farms in the in the United States. We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the kind of world class business we want to own.

At Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, dedicated, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the management of the farm. In view of the above, Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer

General Farm Manager

Administrator/Accountant

• Field Workers
• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
• Supervise field workers
• Ensure compliance during project executions (especially in the construction of greenhouse and hothouse et al)
• Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all sections
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of crops
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of farm produce after harvest
• Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders’ meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied.
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily farming activities across the various farming sections.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Farm Workers

• Responsible for planting and harvesting tomatoes as required by the manager or supervisor
• Responsible for weeding in and around the tomato farm
• Responsible for watering and applying manure (organic fertilizer) or inorganic fertilizer as instructed
• Assist in loading tomatoes meant for deliveries
• Work closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and objectives

6. SWOT Analysis

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis. We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard commercial tomato farm that will favorably compete in the United States of America.

We are quite aware that there are several tomato farms all over San Antonio – Texas and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be equipped to confront our threats.

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in the commercial farming industry to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Hankins Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC;

Our strength as a tomato farming company is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players in the agriculture industry both within and outside of the United States.

We have some of the latest farm tools and equipment that will help us cultivate tomatoes in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in the business under our payroll.

Our weakness could be that for now we lack economies of scale and we don’t have our own tomato processing plant (we hope to build one within the first 12 months of operation). We have been able to put up structures that will help us overcome this initial setback within the shortest time frame.

• Opportunities:

An increase in the price of vegetables positively affects returns at the farm gate; as the price of vegetables increases, farmers collect higher revenue because changes in price do not drastically affect demand. Price fluctuations reflect supply levels, downstream processing activity, global demand activity and several other factors.

With all other things equal, an increase in the price of vegetables will garner higher revenue for industry operators, so long as cost increases can be passed on to consumers to protect profit margins. The price of vegetables is expected to rise this year, representing a potential opportunity for the industry.

Vegetables (tomatoes) require a steady amount of soil moisture to grow and produce, but they cannot tolerate standing water from excessive rainfall. Periods of intense rain or harsh drought can destroy crops, drastically affecting industry production and revenue levels.

Average annual rainfall in the United States typically does not move far from its annual mean; still, unpredictable weather patterns can have drastic effects on the industry. Average annual precipitation is anticipated to decrease this year, posing a potential threat to the industry.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

If you are conversant with rising technology and scientific development in the agriculture industry, you will quite agree that vegetable and fruits farming via greenhouse commercial farming model is at the front burner. Greenhouse commercial farming is rapidly gaining entrance in our world today.

Greenhouse farming gives room for greater control over the growing environment of various crops. Dependent upon the technicality and specification of a greenhouse design, some of the important factors which may be controlled include temperature, levels of light and shade, irrigation, fertilizer application, and atmospheric humidity et al.

Basically, Greenhouses are used to overcome shortcomings in the growing qualities of a piece of land, such as a short growing season or poor light levels. In essence, they are designed to improve tomatoes production in marginal environments.

Please note that while per-capita consumption of vegetables has trended down, especially among teenagers, population increases, better quality and higher prices have allowed the industry to hold its ground in revenue terms and achieve growth.

Retail giants like Safeway and Wal-Mart have placed an emphasis on expanding their selection of fresh produce, especially of organic varieties. However, these large chains have used their market power to impose higher quality standards and drive down returns to growers.

The damage has been somewhat mitigated by bringing produce to a wider consumer base, but there is limited scope for growing sales by expanding access. The strong performance of the industry over the years to 2008 drew many new participants in.

Over the last two years, however, IBISWorld estimates that the number of farms and greenhouses growing vegetables has shrunk.

So also, if you are a close observer of the trends in the hydroponics and vegetable farming industry, you will agree that the vegetable farming industry is anticipated to increase due to increasing consumer health consciousness, which has led to increasing demand for fresh produce.

While per capita fruit and vegetable consumption has remained stable over in recent time, the price of vegetables have increased as consumers demand premium, fresh vegetables.

So also, the number of both small and large farms have been increasing. Small, local tomato farms are benefiting from the organic, local movement, while large, commercial tomato farms are improving labor efficiency. Going forward, players in the hydroponics and vegetable farming industry will continue to increase revenue generation for their business.

8. Our Target Market

The end consumer of tomatoes or vegetable farm produce and also those who benefit from the business value chain are all encompassing. Every household consumes tomatoes in different forms. In essence a commercial tomato farmer should be able to sell his or her farm produce to as many people as possible.

We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is why we will be exporting some of our tomatoes either in raw or processed form to other countries. In essence, our target markets are;

• Tomato paste production companies
• Restaurant operators
• Pizza production companies
• Ketchup production companies
• Juice production companies

Our Competitive Advantage

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling vegetables and tomato, which is why we decided to carry out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of hardworking and highly proficient tomato farmers. Aside from the synergy that exist in our carefully selected team members, we have some of the latest and efficient farm machines and equipment and we will be guided by international best practices in the industry.

Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we have designed our business in such a way that we will operate a standard commercial farm that will be involved in diverse areas such as tomatoes cultivation, processing and packaging. With this, we will be able to take advantage of all the available opportunities within the industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is in the tomato farming business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC;

• Processing and packaging tomatoes (the production of tomato paste).

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey conducted, we were able to discover that the sales generated by a commercial tomato farm depends on the size and nature of the farm.

We have perfected our sales and marketing strategies and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income/profits from the year of operation and build the business from survival to sustainability.

We have been able to examine the hydroponics and vegetable farming industry, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $350,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $900,000

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters, and unfavorable government policies . Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are quite aware that the reason why some vegetable cum tomato farms hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their farm produce as at when due. In view of that, we decided to set up a standard tomato processing plant to help us maximize profits.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained to meet their set targets and the overall business goal of Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC.

We have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking with agriculture merchants, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores and companies that rely on raw materials from the industry. In summary, Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our tomatoes;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the food processing and tomato paste production industry, supermarkets, grocery stores, hotels and restaurants and tomato merchants et al.
• Advertise our business and tomatoes in agro – allied and food related magazines and websites
• List our commercial tomato farms on yellow pages ads
• Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready to utilize every available means to advertise and promote the business. We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means.

Below are the platforms you can leverage on to boost our tomato farming brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community – based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• List our tomato farms in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our commercial tomato farms in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Some of the factors that will help you sell your farm produce at the right price that will guarantee that you make profits is dependent on your strategy while some of the factors are beyond your control. For example, if the climatic condition is unfavorable and if there are natural disasters in the location, then it will directly affect the prices of your goods.

If you want to get the right pricing for your farm produce, then you should ensure that you choose a good location for vegetable farm, choose good breeds/seeds that will guarantee bountiful harvest, cut the cost of running your farm to the barest minimum and of course try as much as possible to attract buyers to your farm.

In view of that, our prices will conform to what is obtainable in the industry but will ensure that within the first 6 to 12 months our tomatoes are sold a little bit below the average price in the United States of America. We have put in place business strategies that will help us run on low profits for a period of 6 months; it is a way of encouraging people to buy into our tomato farming business

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via mobile money transfer
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for tomatoes purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a tomato farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The most important expenses is the construction of the farm. In view of that, here are some of the basic areas we will spend our startup capital in setting up our commercial tomato farm;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in United States of America – $750.
• The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $9,400
• The amount needed to acquire / lease a farmland – $50,000
• The amount required for preparing the farmland – $20,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / fencing et al – $10,000
• The amount required for purchase of the first set of tomato seedlings, manure (fertilizer) and pesticides et al – $15,000
• The amount required to set up a standard vegetable (tomato) processing plant within the farm facility – 80,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $10,000
• The cost of launching an official website – $600
• The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $80,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) to start a standard commercial tomato farm in the United States of America.

Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will be owned and managed by Philip Clinton and his immediate family members. They decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital for the business to just three major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $250,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Part of the plans we have in place to sustain Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is to ensure that we continue to make available different sizes and species of tomatoes, deliver quality services, improvise on how to do things faster and cheaper.

We are not going to relent in providing conducive environment for our workers and also the required trainings that will help them deliver excellent services at all times.

We are quite aware that our customers are key component to the growth and survival of our business hence we are going to continuously engage them to give us ideas on how to serve them better and the products they want to see in our store.

We will not waste time in adopting new technology, best practices and diversifying our services. Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of.

Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of farm land in San Antonio – Texas (preparing the farm land inclusive): Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Startup Capital generation: Completed
• writing of business plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Packaging and Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Building /construction of greenhouse and hothouse facility: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed working tools, machines and equipment: Completed
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement : In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry (agriculture farm produce merchants, tomato paste and ketchup production companies, suppliers of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides): Completed

Starting Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF)

Tomatoes have exceptional nutritional value. They are acclaimed for being beneficial to heart, eye, digestive, and skin health. Tomato farming is one of the most profitable agriculture business ideas. Tomatoes are widely consumed – they can be consumed in diverse ways including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes and sauces and also in drinks. Tomatoes are also used by food processors. Processing of tomatoes consists of canning, freezing, dehydration and juice production. Tomatoes are processed into tomato sauce, whole pealed, tomato and onion bruises, paste, shredded, puree and paste concentrate. This article will outline how to start the tomato farming business, and the tomato farming business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

Tomato farming is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential decisions you need make before you venture into the tomato farming business. You have to make a decision on how many hectares you want to farm, which type of tomatoes you will farm, which season you are going to plant your tomatoes, and your target market. These choices will be affected by the amount of capital you have, and your target market needs.  If you do not have a lot of capital, you can always start small and grow your tomato farming business overtime. You also need to carry out market research (Who are you going to sell the tomatoes to? At what price?) and write a tomato business plan before you venture into the business.

Land for Tomato Farming Business

Good tomato production starts with good land selection. The soil type has a huge bearing on the quality and taste of tomatoes you produce. Tomatoes can grow on a wide array of soil textures depending on the variety of the tomato, from light, sandy soils to heavy, clay soils. Sand soils are the most ideal for quick and early maturation tomato varieties.  Tomatoes thrive best in loamy soil with is rich in organic material. In not, incorporate compost or animal waste into the soil. The soil should have good drainage. The optimum pH lies between 5.0 and 7.0. If that is not so, add sulphur (if above upper limit) or lime (if below lower limit). The soil for tomato farming must permit adequate root growth to support the plant and supply water, oxygen and mineral nutrients and must be free of toxic elements.  It is important that before you start farming tomatoes on your farm, you check whether the soil is suitable for tomato farming. Your tomato production business plan should take into account the cost of purchasing or leasing the land.

Space And Sunlight Exposure

When doing open field tomato farming you must take note of sunlight exposure. Your chosen land must allow for uninterrupted sunlight exposure for at least 8 hours daily. The actual land space you need will be informed by the number of tomato plants. Following recommended spacing is important for the tomato to grow optimally. There must be adequate inter-row and in-row spacing to optimize aeration, sunlight exposure, and curb possible disease outbreaks.

Machinery and Equipment

Machinery and equipment which are required for your tomato farming business will depend on the scale of your operations. Machinery and equipment needed include tractors, harvesters, boom sprayers, fertilizer spreader equipment, irrigation equipment, spray equipment, diggers,  scales, ridgers, bins etc. Most farmers usually hire big machinery like tractors when they want to use them, rather than purchasing them as they are expensive. There may also be need of grid hydroelectricity energy for the irrigation systems, standby diesel generators for use during power outages, or solar powered irrigation systems. Farmers especially in the rural areas who do not have the modern farming equipment use animal drawn equipment in tomato farming. The higher the level of mechanization at your tomato farm, the higher the efficiency of your operations, and the profitability of your tomato farming business. The tomato farming business plan should include the costs of acquiring and hiring the various machinery and equipment. 

Tomato Seeds/Seedlings

The tomato farming can be started using tomato seeds or seedlings. Tomato varieties can be classified into 3 broad categories which are determinate, semi-determinate and inter-determinate tomatoes. Your choice of which tomato variety to use will depend on variety of factors: time to maturity, yield, availability of seeds, target market preference, season, fruit quality adaptability, disease resistance among other factors. It is important that you purchase your tomato seeds from certified tomato seed suppliers.  If you opt for seedlings, then source them from reputable nurseries. The costs of purchasing tomato seeds or seedlings should be accounted for in your commercial tomato farming business plan. If you buy poor quality tomato seeds, your tomatoes will not grow to their full potential and you will have poor yields. Tomatoes can be propagated from seeds or seedlings. In choosing tomato varieties you must understand the core classifications. Aside the classifications below, there are hybrid and heirloom tomato varieties. These usually have superior qualities such as disease resistance, high yields, firmness, long shelf life, and big fruit size.

There three broad tomato types namely, determinate, semi-determinate and indeterminate.  Determinate tomatoes are typically bush-like and produce one large harvest of tomatoes and then stop. Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-like and continuously produce tomatoes as long as conditions allow.  Semi-determinate tomatoes are in between those 2 characteristics.

Time To Mature

In tomato farming, there are 3 classifications that take maturation period into account. There is early season, mid-season and late season tomatoes. Early season tomatoes take at most 60 days to reach maturity. Mid-season tomatoes mature in between 60 and 80 days. Late season tomatoes need more than 80 days to reach maturity.

Fruit Size Or Type

The colour or taste of tomatoes also constitutes another classification in tomato farming. For example, there are cherry, plum, round, and beefsteak tomatoes, amongst others. This classification is particularly important when factoring in the intended use of the tomatoes when harvested.

Tomato Farming Inputs

You require various farming inputs when doing tomato farming.  Fertilizers are required to support the efficient growth of your tomatoes, by providing all the nutrients needed by tomatoes to grow to their full potential. Essential nutrients needed for the growth of tomatoes include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Organic matter is also important in tomato farming. This can be in the form of compost, decayed leaves, animal manure etc. Organic matter is a good source of plant nutrients. Organic matter also increases the capacity of the soil to retain water and nutrients. It’s a soil conditioner.

Other farming inputs required for tomato farming business include herbicides, for effective weed control at your farm. Pesticides and fungicides are required for protecting your tomato plants against insects and fungi. Trellising and training of tomatoes is very important to some tomato cultivars and varieties. This involves supporting the tomato plants on poles and wires  or specialised trellising material. The benefits of training tomatoes include improved spraying to control diseases and pests, better air circulation around the plant and less fruit rotting. The costs of acquiring all these inputs should be included in your tomato farming business plan.

Pest And Disease Management

Some of the common pests in tomato farming are aphids, nematodes, cutworms, and whiteflies. Common diseases that can affect tomatoes are moulds, blights (early or late), and fusarium wilt. Prevention or protection of tomatoes from these can be achieved through integrated approaches. Almost all of them have a dual effect in that they address both pest and disease issues.

Keeping Tomatoes Safe From Pests And Diseases

It all starts with seeing to it that your tomatoes get all they need. These are things such as healthy soil and adequate water. In watering avoid scenarios where leaves get muddied. Drip irrigation is most ideal when farming tomatoes. You must also practice hygiene e.g. cleaning farming implements or machinery after every use. Always remove weeds and dispose them rather than leaving them lying next to the tomatoes. By all means ensure there is no water logging or general wetness – this promotes pests and diseases. As a rule of thumb, practise crop rotation to stop or disrupt pest life cycles.

Harvesting And Storage Of Tomatoes

You can start harvesting tomatoes roughly 60 to 90 days from when you planted the seedlings. This is not cast in stone; remember there are 3 different maturation times (early, mid and late). Determinate tomatoes tend to ripen almost at once – within about 14 days. Indeterminate tomatoes ripen successively over an extended period of time. When you are harvesting tomatoes, ensure that you do not inflict physical damage on them. Physical damage compromises their quality, make them susceptible to pests and diseases, and reduces their shelf live.

Often time the colour of the tomatoes is what guides on when to pick. For instance, some tomato fruits might have fully or partially turned red. The leaves or stem yellowing or drying are also indicators of readiness to harvest. You can also check the fruit skin – you must harvest whilst it still has a rich, smooth, wax-like texture. Ripe tomatoes will tend to be easy to remove by gently twisting off from the vine.

Before storage the tomatoes must be washed, cleaned, sorted, and graded. For long term storage you can freeze, can, or dry your tomatoes. Generally, tomatoes can be stored at room temperature. If it is outside the place must be away from direct sunlight. When it comes to cold storage there are things to consider. Temperatures below 13ºC are not idea for tomato storage. Tomatoes that have ripened partially must not be refrigerated. Refrigerating tomatoes that have ripened tends to compromise their taste.

Farm Workers

When doing tomato farming business, you will need to hire part time farm workers as and when necessary. The duties which they will do include planting tomato seeds, transplanting tomato seedlings; applying fertilizers; trellising tomatoes, ploughing; harvesting, herbiciding and pesticiding. The part time farm workers will be paid according to the number of days worked.  You also require supervisors, farm manager, finance & accounting staff, and logistics staff depending on the scale of your tomato farming business. The wages and salaries of your workers should be included in your tomato farming business plan.

Capital for Tomato Farming Business

The amount of capital required for tomato farming business depends on the scale of the project. You can get a loan from the bank, or funding from investors, to use as capital to start your tomato farming business. If you plan to raise capital from investors and a loan from the bank, you need a good tomato farming business plan. If you don’t have access to investors and bank loan, you can use your personal savings and start small, and grow your business overtime. Tomato farming is very profitable, so if you reinvest the profits you get, you can quickly grow. Even if you are not planning to get a loan, you should still get a tomato farming business plan to guide you in starting and operating the business. It is essential for you to have a tomato farming business plan before you venture into the tomato farming business, so that you know all the costs involved and you make an informed decision.

The market for tomatoes is very huge and is ever increasing. The annual global demand of tomatoes is more than 180 million tonnes. That’s a lot! You can supply your tomatoes to individual households, schools, restaurants, food processors, hotels, companies, supermarkets, organizations, events etc. The tomato business plan ought to include a proper marketing plan to use in your tomato farming business.

Advantages Of Tomato Farming Business

Tomato farming is usually a high yields and wide profit margins business venture. Tomatoes are nutrient-rich and have numerous household and commercial uses. This is why there is an inexhaustible market for tomatoes. There are also vast opportunities in the export markets for tomatoes; offering higher profitability. There are limitless value addition options when it comes to tomatoes. Tomatoes generally mature fast which makes the turnaround time relatively short. Tomatoes can be propagated either indoors or outdoors. This makes it possible for almost anyone and anywhere to do tomato farming.

If you are looking to start a lucrative vegetable farming business, seriously consider a tomato farming business. Engage agronomists to find out the latest on the best tomato varieties to grow. It is important that you also do a thorough market research and have a good tomato farming business plan. The timing of your tomato farming must be such that when the tomatoes mature they have customers waiting for them. Post-harvest losses in tomato farming are common so be wary of that.

Pre-Written Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the tomato farming business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive tomato farming business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the tomato production business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the tomato farming business, how to farm the tomatoes, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global tomato farming business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your tomato farming business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the tomato business.

Uses of the Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The tomato business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your tomato farming business
• As a tomato farming business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the tomato farming business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Tomato Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The tomato farming business plan include, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Risk Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements (Including technical aspects of how to farm the tomatoes, fertilizer requirements etc)
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in tomato farming business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your tomato farming business

The Pre-written tomato farming business plan package consist of 4 files

• Tomato Farming Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 84 Pages)
• Tomato Farming Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 84 Pages)
• Tomato Farming Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 39 pages)
• Tomato Farming Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the number of hectares, selling price of  the tomatoes etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change.

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF)

Testimonial 6

I purchased a business plan from you, and I’m glad to inform you that I was able to get my loan, and I’m starting my poultry farming business on the 1 st of July. This was made possible because of your business plan. Thank you very much, you made my dream come true.

Testimonial 5

I was able to understand the business side of farming because of your business plan. You did extensive research; the business plan was well prepared and fully detailed.  It made everything clear, and I have somewhere to start now. I am confident that I am going to succeed in my business because of the guidance from your business plan.

Testimonial 1

StartupBiz Global provided a very professional and comprehensive business plan which I used for my business. The business plan was easy to edit, and I was able to get the funding which I wanted. I highly recommend their business plans.

Testimonial 4

The business plan which I purchased from your website saved me TIME and MONEY! The layout of the business plan was excellent. The financial statements were detailed and easy for me to edit. I will come back to purchase another business plan soon.

Testimonial 2

Many thanks for your incredibly efficient service and thorough business plan. I am very impressed with the business plan. Before I bought the business plan, I tried to do my own business plan – it was such a nightmare and it turned out badly, also not to mention the stress it caused me. I wish I knew about your website earlier!

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I was extremely lucky to come across StartupBiz Global. Their business plan exceeded my expectations, and most importantly I was able to secure a loan from my bank. Thank you guys, now my dreams are coming true!

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I found Startupbiz Global online when I was in desperate need of a business plan. I was overwhelmed by the quality of the business plan, it’s comprehensive and well researched! I did not have to wait to get the business plan, I got it instantly after payment. I highly recommend Startupbiz Global, and would happily use them again in the future.

Testimonial 8

Just wanted to say I am very happy with the business plan and I will gladly recommend your products, thank you very much and have a great day.

Get the Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your tomato farming business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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10 Steps to Successful Tomato Farming in Zambia

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• February 19, 2023

• Site Selection : Choose a site that has well-drained soil, good air circulation, and access to water. It is important to avoid areas with a history of tomato diseases to reduce the risk of crop failure. For example, you can choose a site that is on a gentle slope to improve water drainage, and trees or other structures do not shade that to promote good air circulation.
• Soil Preparation: Till the soil to a depth of at least 30cm to improve aeration and drainage. The soil should be free of rocks, debris, and other plant material. Add organic matter like compost or manure to improve soil fertility. For example, you can use a tractor to till the soil and add compost to the ground to improve its nutrient content.
• Variety Selection: Choose a tomato variety that is suitable for your local growing conditions and market demand. Common varieties grown in Zambia include Roma, Money Maker, and Marglobe. For example, if you are planning to sell your tomatoes at a local market, you may want to choose a variety that is popular among customers in your area.
• Seedbed Preparation: Create a seedbed by tilling the soil and forming raised beds. Seeds can be planted directly into the seedbed or transplanted from nursery beds. For example, you can use a hoe to create raised beds and plant your seeds or seedlings directly into the soil.
• Planting: Plant the seeds or seedlings at a spacing of 60-90cm between rows and 30-45cm between plants. Water thoroughly after planting. For example, you can use a measuring tape to ensure that you are planting your tomatoes at the correct spacing, and then water the soil immediately after planting to help the plants establish themselves.
• Fertilizer Application: Apply a balanced fertilizer before planting and again after the first fruit set. Inorganic fertilizers like NPK can be used, but organic fertilizers like compost and manure are also effective. For example, you can use a fertilizer spreader to apply the fertilizer evenly over the soil, and then water the ground immediately after application to help the nutrients penetrate into the soil.
• Irrigation: Water the plants regularly to maintain soil moisture. Tomatoes require consistent moisture, especially during fruiting. For example, you can use drip irrigation or a watering can to water the soil at the base of the plants, rather than watering the leaves or fruit directly.
• Pest and Disease Management: Monitor the crop regularly for pests and diseases. Common pests and diseases that affect tomatoes in Zambia include aphids, thrips, and bacterial wilt. Use integrated pest management practices to control pests and diseases, including crop rotation, use of insecticidal soap, and biological control agents. For example, you can use natural predators like ladybugs to control aphids or use organic sprays like neem oil to control fungal diseases.
• Pruning: Remove suckers and diseased leaves to promote fruit development and reduce disease risk. For example, you can use pruning shears to remove any excess foliage or branches from the plants, and then dispose of them away from your field to prevent the spread of disease.
• Harvesting: Tomatoes are ready for harvesting when they are firm and fully colored. Harvest regularly to promote fruit development and reduce the risk of pests and diseases. Store tomatoes in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage. For example, you can use a knife or shears to carefully remove the ripe tomatoes from the plants, and then store them in a cool, dry place like a shaded room or a refrigerator.

In conclusion, tomato farming in Zambia can be a profitable venture when the proper steps are taken. Farmers should choose a suitable site, prepare the soil, choose a suitable tomato variety, prepare the seedbed, plant the seeds, apply fertilizer, irrigate, manage pests and diseases, and prune, and harvest the crop. By following these steps, farmers can produce high-quality tomatoes that meet market demand, reduce the risk of crop failure, and increase their income. However, it is essential to note that tomato farming can also be affected by environmental factors such as weather and climate, as well as market fluctuations. Therefore, farmers must stay up to date with the latest farming techniques and market trends to ensure success.

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Be a Farmer, Be a Millionaire – An interview with Zambia’s leading Tomato Expert and Author Eric Mwenda

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in Zambia and the most popular vegetable in the world. The average cost of a seedling is K1.70 from Seedco nursery propagaters and a box of tomatoes can sell for K50 to K140 (prices peak during the rainy season) . New varieties like Seedcos Hybrid have a weekly harvest lasting 3 months of the year (if planted properly) making it a lucrative vegetable to produce. International businessmen like Don Stacey who have made millions by farming tomatoes commercially take advantage of the high demand in the surrounding export markets and the less consistent small scale farmers. There is no doubt with the right amount of effort, planning and investment this is a business that can make you a millionaire. Today we had the honour of interviewing a man who teaches thousands how to make that a reality, one of the country’s leading agriculture experts, Eric Mwenda.

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The Life and Success of Eric Mwenda

Eric Mwenda is the author of the book ‘Be a Farmer, Be a Millionaire’ and the host of a show of the same name on ABN (Every night at 19:00). He is also the creator of the ‘Tomato Growers Network – Zambia’, a community of over 51,000 farmers, where he regularly posts farming advice. The fan page for his book has over 8,000 fans as the book scooped multiple Pan-African Writers awards and his own personal fan page 5,000 followers. Despite his strenuous schedule he still manages to maintain a full time job as the Head of the Vegetable Business Unit at Seedco Zambia. Seedco International is one of the largest seed producing companies in the world with an annual turnover north of $60 million. Despite all of his achievements what  Mr Mwenda finds most prideful are his students, amongst whom he can claim the current head of the Zambia Farmers Association and millionaire farmer Maria Zaloumis as one of his oldest clients. She regards him as one of her greatest mentors and said: “ He has been my mentor since 2016 when I first started and he has become a dear friend. He always encourages me and keeps me from quiting when it gets difficult. He truly is Mr Tomatoes”.

The ‘Kalusha Bwalya’ of farming Tomatoes

Mr Mwenda was born in a small village in Senanga, Western Province. While joking about our shared Lozi heritage he argued: “The thing about people from Senanga is that they tend to be born leaders”. While this may be true it tends to be against the odds, Western Provinceyeye is one of the poorest regions in the country with the lowest level of financial inclusion (40%) and government expenditure (9th in region by region comparison). He has managed to overcome this circumstance and to date Mr Mwenda can be considered a success as he currently advises numerous commercial farms on top of his various responsibilities. He initially started his workshops as part of his job at Syngenta, one of the largest seed distributors. He began holding workshops on how to successfully grow the ‘Newton’ variety seed to his clients. The first group he served cumulatively produced enough tomatoes that the price tanked from oversupply in that region. Since then he has trained farmers in Egypt, South Africa and Eastern Asia with award winning students in Botswana and Namibia. He argues he was given the gift to be able to communicate his ideas and therefore wants as many people to know about his methods to increase the country’s productivity. He has earned the nicknames ‘Tomato Guru” and ‘Mr Tomatoes’ from his students but when asked he prefers the ‘Kalusha Bwalya of Tomatoes’, 

“ When you’re driving home from, let’s say Northern Province, it is sad as all you can see is arable land that is not being used properly. If we wanted Zambia could be the largest exporter of tomatoes in our region”. He lamented during the interview. 

The Tomato Farming Economy

According to Tridge, Zambia ranks 166th in the world for tomato exports and 134th in Tomato imports globally. Egypt is currently Africa’s the largest producer of tomatoes with production of 8.6 million tons annually with Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia following far behind (South Africa is 6th with half a million tons annually, accounting for 20% of the country’s vegetable production). Egypt produces almost half of all of Africa’s tomato exports and the demand from the global market is valued at $200  billion annually and rising at 6% per year. 

The largest tomato importer in the world is currently the United States with domestic supply contributing to just 40% of demand. The average export value of a tonne of tomatoes is $1,326 per tonne and the industry contributes $2 billion annually to the largest exporter, Mexico. Southern Africa has the lowest contribution to global production mostly due to tariffs. With the incoming Africa Free Trade Agreement 60% of the cost of exporting goods will be removed meaning a comparative advantage for African producers. China produces the most tomatoes currently with over 50 million tonnes annually but this still does not account for the demand. 

(Mwenda honoured with an audience with the President in 2019)

Our Partnership and Commitment

At Financial Insight Zambia we aim to give our readers the tools to be successful in whatever business they choose. We will begin posting Mr Mwenda’s expert tips and articles on the maintenance of tomatoes and suggestions on how to grow a healthy crop. Mr Mwenda is one of the most respected voices in the Agricultural sector and we hope you find his story an inspiration.

Please click on the following links for more of his content:

• For his Youtube channel where he posts instructions on how to succeed in farming, click here
• For the largest community of Tomato farmers in Zambia, good for sharing ideas and asking questions when struggling, click here
• For the Facebook fan page for the book (old) where you can access more details about his book please, click here
• Download his Guide on ‘How to Grow Tomatoes in Rainy Season’ in Partnership with Financial Insight Zambia by clicking here (Coming Soon)

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Farming With Precision!

[Beginners Guide] How To Grow Tomatoes In Zambia

Are you eager to cultivate plump, juicy tomatoes right in your backyard in Zambia? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll unveil the secrets to successfully growing tomatoes, from selecting the perfect varieties to nurturing them into vibrant plants that yield a bountiful harvest. Get ready to experience the joy of homegrown tomatoes bursting with flavor and freshness!

To grow tomatoes in Zambia, select a sunny location with well-drained soil. Plant tomato seedlings or seeds, provide regular watering and fertilization, and protect the plants from pests and diseases for a successful tomato harvest.

How To Start Tomatoes Farming In Zambia [Beginners To Pro Guide]

Table of Contents

If you intend to start tomato farming in Zambia, you can follow the simple steps and techniques, which can be learned and mastered with the practice detailed below.

Read Also:  [Beginners Guide] How To Grow Beans In Zambia

Step 1: Get a Farmland

You must acquire farmland on which to plant your tomato seedlings. You can obtain large farmland where you can carry out both nursery and main planting .

Read Also:  [Beginners Guide] How To Grow Onions In Zambia

It is best to choose a sunny farm site to plant your tomatoes because the warmer the soil, the faster the tomatoes grow . Tomatoes require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Tomatoes can grow in a variety of soil types, from light to heavy.

Step 2: Select an Appropriate Tomato Variety

Choose tomato varieties that are fast-growing and disease-resistant. There are numerous tomato species available, but not all of them are suitable for the Zambian climate.

Read Also:  [Beginners Guide] How To Start Ostrich Farming In Zambia

Step 3: Prepare the Nursery

For your nursery, we recommend that you make use of a seedling tray and or cocopeat.

On the other hand, if you prefer to use soil, apply pesticides 5 to 6 days before sowing. This reduces the activities of disease-causing organisms (i.e., nematodes, fungi, and bacteria) and insects. If necessary, weeing should be performed.

To harden the seedlings, water heavily the day before transplanting. It should germinate in 5 to 7 days. If the sun is too hot, cover the soil with dry grasses to prevent moisture loss and to keep birds from eating the tomato seeds.

Allow an additional month before transplanting.

Step 4: Prepare the Farmland

You must clear the farmland and prepare it for farming operations by removing unwanted plants and debris.

Till and level the soil to smooth out bumps and even out the farmland. The soil should not be soaked and should be well drained. The soil should be loosed to a depth of at least 20 cm. Finally, tomato seedlings must be transplanted.

Apply farmyard manure and fertilizers, and then wait about 20 days. Manure is required before transplanting to improve soil organic carbon content, microorganisms, porosity, texture and structure, soil pH, bulk density, and so on. Water the soil and keep it moist until the seedlings arrive.

Video Guide On Tomatoes Farming In Zambia

Step 5: Transplanting

Our recommended method is transplanting already sprouted plants to the prepared garden/farm. You can now transplant your seedlings after 35 to 40 days.

Open the soil with a small piece of wood, insert the seedling, and cover it with loose soil.

Keep the distance in mind when planting your tomato. Row-to-row spacing should be 45-60 cm, and plant-to-plant spacing should be 30-45 cm. Transplantation should take place in the evening.

To avoid dehydration and fatigue, tomato plants should be transplanted the same day they were uprooted from the nursery.

Step 6: Irrigation

Water supply is critical, especially during the dry season . The early fruiting stages are the most critical for adequate soil moisture. The best irrigation method is a sprinkler to avoid overflooding the farm.

Step 7: Weeding, Pest, and Disease Control

It’s time to weed when you notice unwanted plants growing alongside your tomato plants. If you have a large farm, you can weed it yourself or hire laborers to do it for you.

Also, apply pesticides to boost your plants’ immunity against pests and diseases.

Step 8: Fertilizer Application

After weeding, apply fertilizer to help replenish the soil nutrients depleted by the weeds. Tomatoes require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals to grow successfully .

Step 9: Harvesting

After 100 days, most tomato varieties reach full maturity and are ready for harvest. However, some excellent tomato varieties mature in 50 to 60 days.

Tomatoes are typically harvested in batches; once the first batch is harvested, you will continue to harvest tomatoes from your farm until the plants die off (usually in the dry season) .

The Complete Guide To Growing Tomatoes Pdf

The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes PDF is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about growing tomatoes. The material contains practical steps on how to choose, plant, and grow tomatoes on your farm.

Modern Tomato Farming Techniques

To practice modern tomato farming methods, follow the steps outlined below:

• Preparing the land for tomato farming
• Tomato Species Selection for Tomato Farming
• Plant Seedlings in a Nursery bed to be transferred to a proper tomato farming bed
• Transplanting
• Fertilizer application and consistent watering
• Weed control and mulching

How To Grow Tomatoes In Zambia PDF

This is a PDF document on How To Grow Tomatoes in Zambia

Small-scale Tomato Farming

Small-scale tomato farming usually refers to farming majorly just for your consumption. Small-scale tomato farming is usually practiced at home using the backyard or planting trays and pots.

However, to grow your tomatoes, you’ll need to provide a lot of soil and some specific nutrients. The soil will be poured into the planting trays and pots, and manure and fertilizer added to enrich the soil.

Water the soil before planting. Also, the seed should be soaked in water a day before planting. The seed should be scattered on the nursery bed surface and placed in a sunny area to aid growth.

Greenhouse Tomato Farming

A greenhouse is a structure that allows for the growth of plants such as tomatoes within a controlled temperature and humidity environment, allowing for year-round production. Greenhouse tomatoes are typically large plants that are grown from seed to harvest in a year-round climate. Greenhouse tomato farming can be implemented in low temperatures.

Tomato Farming Profit

You can earn profits from tomato farming even if you have a small amount of capital. Tomato farming is both enjoyable and lucrative , allowing you to make a decent amount of money. However, the profitability will depend on the region of your country and market conditions.

Tengeru Tomato Spacing

Tengeru Tomato plants should be spaced between 24 and 36 inches apart. Planting tomato plants closer than 24 inches apart reduces air circulation and may result in disease.

How Long Does It Take To Grow Tomatoes In Zambia?

Tomatoes grow faster in Zambia during the hot season (August to October), with some maturing in 3-4 months rather than 5-6 months.

What Is The Best Time To Grow Tomatoes In Zambia?

The best time to grow tomatoes in Zambia is during the dry season , from August to October, when irrigation yields the highest yields.

How Much Does It Cost To Grow Tomatoes In Zambia?

The cost to grow tomatoes in Zambia for a 100 x 100 m farmland is approximately K35, 300.

Which Is The Best Tomato Variety In Zambia?

The best tomato variety to grow in Zambia is the hybrid variety that has rich genes and has been treated against pests and diseases.

How Much Is A Crate Of Tomatoes In Zambia?

The cost of a crate of tomatoes that have been cleaned and ready for sale in Zambia is approximately K400.

What Is The Best Fertilizer For Tomatoes In Zambia?

The best fertilizer for tomatoes in Zambia are those that contain essential nutrients – N-P-K ratio fertilizer can be very beneficial to tomatoes.

Is Tomato Farming Profitable In Zambia?

Tomato farming in Zambia is highly profitable . The reason has been that there is an increasing market demand for tomatoes by consumers, and the tomatoes grow very fast making them ready for market sales almost every time.

How Many Boxes Of Tomatoes Are In A Hectare?

One hectare yields approximately 11000 boxes of tomatoes.

How Many Kg Does A Tomato Plant Produce?

A tomato plant that is supported by a stake delivers 3.6 kg of fruit on average for each plant.

How Many Tomato Plants Make a Hectare?

Normally, you will find about 11,000 to 18,000 plants per hectare, depending on the variety and field spacing.

How Many Kgs Is A Box Of Tomatoes?

A medium size box of tomatoes typically is 10kg.

How Many Tomatoes Make A Box?

The pieces of tomato that make a box depending on the size of the box and tomato fruit. However, the number of tomatoes in medium size boxes usually is between 35 to 50.

How Much Is The Price Of A Tomato?

In Zambia, a kilogram of packed and ready-to-sell tomatoes costs about USD 1.82.

How Much Is A Sack Of Potatoes In Zambia?

In Zambia, a sack of potatoes costs approximately ZMW 15839.44 per kg.

Is Tomato Farming Profitable in Zambia?

Tomato farming is profitable in Zambia. You can earn profits from tomato farming even if you have a small amount of capital. Tomato farming is both enjoyable and lucrative, allowing you to make a decent amount of money. Although the returns are low for the first few years, this changes slowly over the years.  In addition to this, improvements in soil fertility can increase productivity significantly

How Many Boxes Of Tomatoes Make A Hectare?

A hectare of the tomato plant will produce around 10,000 to 11000 boxes of tomatoes.

What Is The Highest Yielding Tomato Plant?

The Stupice tomato variety is a prolific producer. The vigorous plant is considered to have the highest yield.

How Do You Succeed In Tomato Farming?

To be successful in tomato farming, you must grow your tomato plants in an area that receives as much direct sunlight as possible.

Tomatoes also grow best in slightly acidic soil , with optimal pH levels ranging between 6.2 and 6.8. Tomato plants cannot thrive in soil that is less than 6.0 pH. A healthy balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is required for your tomato plants to produce a large number of healthy fruits.

Your plants will require a lot of water if you want big, juicy tomatoes! However, consistency is required for the best results. The skins of your tomatoes will split or develop blossom end rot if you are inconsistent with the timing and amount of watering.

How Many KGS is a Crate of tomatoes?

A crate of tomatoes has 20 kg.

How Many KGS is a Box of Tomatoes?

A crate of tomatoes has 10 to 12 kg.

How Many Tomatoes Are In A Crate?

The number of tomatoes in a crate is somewhat between 20 to 30 pieces.

Starting tomato farming can be a great way of supplementing income and financial stability.  Tomato plants are easy to grow, as long as you adhere to the information provided in this material.

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Author: Adewebs

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8 replies to “ [beginners guide] how to grow tomatoes in zambia ”.

Excellent information.But we need what is the cost included for the final product including labr for the one hector of tomato production .

This usually varies, but you may take a market survey and look for farmers close by their last experience farming and cost in your location

Adewebs thanks for this rich information about tomato growing. Am just beginning my tomato journey this August and see where it takes me.

You’re most welcome, do let us know where we can come in to offer our tips to guide you all along..

Hi Adewebs,

How can I download this information for printing?

Kind regards

How are you doing Chisamba, to print the information, you can use control p when on your computer…

This is important information Adewebs,

Am grateful preparing my Land and hoping to get on track with this information

kind regards,

I’m glad you find this information useful, kindly share your experience with us so that others can read and learn as well.

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