How To Grow Tomatoes In Uganda

What Is Tomatoes?

The tomato is the edible berry of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South Ugand. The Mexican Nahuatl word tomatl gave rise to the Spanish word tomate, from which the English word tomato derived.

How To Grow Tomatoes In Uganda?

Prepare soil for planting tomatoes in Uganda by tilling it to a depth of 8 inches, adding local organic compost to the soil as you go. Rake and cultivate until you have a loose, fine, deep soil mix. Plant tomato seedlings 18 inches apart. Drive a stake near each plant, and tie it loosely with plant ties.

What Is Tomato Fruit Or Vegetable In Uganda?

To a botanist, a fruit is an entity that develops from the fertilized ovary of a flower. This means that tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, corn kernels, and bean and pea pods are all fruits; so are apples, pears, peaches, apricots, melons and mangos.

How Long Do Tomatoes Take To Grow In Uganda?

This will be about 30 to 45 days after seed sowing. You should then plant the tomato seedlings at a spacing of 45cm by 60cms.

What Is The Best Type Of Tomato To Grow In Uganda?

The choice of a Tomato cultivar is based on fruit quality, adaptability and reliability, susceptibility to diseases and pests. Varieties include – Money maker, Bonny Best, Marglobe ,Rio Grande ,Tengeru 97, Amateur Rodade, Heinz, New fortune maker F1.

How Much Can I Get From An Acre Of Tomatoes In Uganda?

An acre can produce around 25tonnes of tomatoes. With a conservative price of sh1,000 per kilogram, that makes around sh25m. The harvest goes on for at least 3 months depending on how the farm was maintained. Tomatoes are harvested by picking the mature/ripe fruits off the plant.

What Is The Best Fertilizer For Tomatoes In Uganda?

Based on these findings, use of 100, 60, 100 kg ha-1 of N, P and K is recommended for improving cherry tomato production in central Uganda, where the study was conducted, and any fertilizer rate above 100, 60, 100 kg ha-1 in the same area may be un-economical to use in cherry tomato growing.

How Can I Make My Tomato Plants Grow Faster In Uganda?

Here are ways to get a jump on the growing season and shorten the wait for those first juicy fruits.

Choose a Fast-Maturing Variety.

Warm Up the Soil.

Harden Off Plants.

Protect Young Tomato Plants from Wind and Chill.

Wait to Apply Mulch.

Support Plants.

What Is The Best Month For Growing For Tomatoes In Uganda?

Plan to plant tomatoes in mid-February. According to research conducted by Ohio State University, “Uganda is an agrarian nation with more than 80 percent of its population engaged in small-farm agriculture.” However, Uganda’s rainy season makes tomato plants very susceptible to diseases and pests.

How Long Does Tomatoes Take To Mature In Uganda?

Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety (see more about varieties below). Due to their relatively long growing season requirements (and late planting date), most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather has warmed up in spring.

How Many Tomato Plants Can You Plant In An Acre In Uganda?

Growers generally plant 2,600 to 5,800 plants per acre in single rows with 18 to 30 inches between plants in the row on 5.0- to 6.5-foot centers. A double row of compact tomato varieties also can be planted on each plastic-covered bed (10,000 plants per acre).

How Profitable Is Growing Tomatoes In Uganda?

“During the rainy season, it ranges between Shs150, 000 – Shs250, 000 for a big box because of its abundance while during the dry season, it goes for between Shs300,000 – Shs500,000 for the big boxes.