ASSESSMENT OF TOMATO FARMING STRATEGIES, DISEASES KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS’ IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Diseases are hindrance to tomato production in Kirinyaga, Kenya. However, information on farmer’s disease knowledge to warrant pesticide use, disease predisposing factor such as varietal choice, seed source and irrigation system is scanty. This study assessed the association between tomato varieties grown, farming strategies, farmers’ socio characteristic, disease knowledge, diseases management practices, legal status and sources of pesticides used in tomato farming, knowledge of biological control agents with the agroecological zones in Kirinyaga. A cross sectional survey method was used. Data was collected from 120 tomato farmers using structured questionnaires. A chi square test was used to determine association between different variables using SAS version 9.4. There was no significant (p>0.05) association between source of tomato planting material and agroecological zones. There was significant (p<0.05) association between tomato varieties and the reasons for choice. Irrigation system used in tomato farms was significantly (p<0.05) associated with agroecological zones. Farmers’ knowledge of causative agent of early blight, late blight and septoria leaf spot was significantly (p<0.05) associated with agroecological zones. Farmers able of identifying causative agent of early blight, later blight and septoria spot were 51.7%, 40%and 17%, respectively. Up to 55% of farmers gained knowledge of tomato diseases through farming experience. Observation of the chemical withdrawal period in tomatoes was not significantly (p>0.05) associated with the level of pesticide dose applied. Over 46% farmers use wrong pesticide doses and only 48.33% of farmers use legal pesticides. The knowledge of use of biological control agents among farmers was not significantly (p>0.05)associated with agro ecological zones. Inability of some farmers to identify tomato diseases, use of illegal pesticides and use of improper doses of pesticides are challenges in tomato production in Kirinyaga. Therefore, measures such coordinated education on crop diseases, proper use of pesticide and surveillance to limit access to illegal pesticides should be considered