Browsing by Author "Githuka, P"

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    Improvement of sustainability and profitability of high tunnel tomato production through dissemination of technologies, knowledge and information
    (Chuka University, 2016) Mbaka, J; Gitonga, J.; Gathambiri, C.; Mwangi, B.G.; Githuka, P
    Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important income generating crop in high potential rural areas as well as in the peri-urban areas where availability of farming land is a constraint. Production is mainly by smallholder farmers and has been conventionally under open field conditions until recently when production under modified high tunnels, popularly known as ‘greenhouses’, was pioneered by a few farmers and has gained massive adoption in the last decade. The rapid growth in adoption and uptake of the high tunnel innovation has spawned numerous local enterprises that are fabricating and vending tailor-made tunnels for horticultural purposes. However, implementation of the high tunnels is under serious threat by many biotic and abiotic factors. Early adopters abandon the technology while others get into it. A study was conducted in Embu and Kirinyaga Counties to identify the knowledge and technology gaps that threaten sustainability of the innovation. The most serious threats to sustainability of the high tunnel innovation for tomato production were: bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, insect pests such as whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), poor construction and limited knowledge on management. The Farmer Field Schools were used to train farmers on tomato production in the high tunnels. Parameters considered included: establishment of healthy seedlings in germination trays with coco-peat, solarisation and grafting against soilborne pests, pest identification, scouting and management, post-harvest handling and value addition. Production increased by 80% leading to adoption of the technology. Dissemination of the high tunnel production should always be accompanied with training on management.