Egerton University, in collaboration with Nanjing Agricultural University and the Confucius Institute, is transforming tomato farming in Nakuru County through a groundbreaking project aimed at combating bacterial wilt in greenhouse tomato production.
Mary Wambui at her Turi farm in Molo Sub-County, showcasing her grafted tomatoes which have significantly improved her harvest. "I now sell each tomato for Ksh. 10, and my customers love their size," she says. Photo credit: Kurian Musa/Egerton University, 17th October.
The initiative, titled “Empowering Rural Youth through Innovative Horticultural Solutions in the Tomato Value Chain,” is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and introduces advanced grafting technology to boost yields and manage bacterial wilt disease in greenhouse tomato.
Led by Prof. Joshua Ogweno and Prof. Liu Yutao from Egerton University’s main campus, the project addresses the issue of bacterial wilt, a major challenge that forced many farmers to abandon tomato production in greenhouses. The solution involves grafting a scion of the commercial Anna F1 tomato variety onto the wells variety rootstock, which is tolerant to bacterial wilt. This method produces resilient plants that mature earlier and yield more fruit compared to un-grafted plants.
On average, each grafted tomato plant yields between 18-22 kilograms per season, allowing farmers to harvest weekly, even during low-rainfall periods, thanks to drip irrigation systems and greenhouse technology.
The project has also provided essential infrastructure support, repairing 14 greenhouses (each measuring 8 by 15 meters) and supplying both grafted and un-grafted seedlings to farmers. This controlled environment helps minimize common challenges such as bacterial wilt and other pests, ensuring healthier crops and higher yields for the farmers involved.
John Mwangi, Mary Wambui's husband, inspecting the tomato plants at their farm in Turi. He says the neighboring farmers are eager to adopt the grafting technology after seeing the success on their farm. Photo credit: Kurian Musa/Egerton University, 17th October
Mary Wambui, a farmer from Turi in Molo Sub-County, shared her experience: “Bacterial wilt used to ruin our crops, but since we started using this grafting technology, our harvests have improved significantly. I now sell each tomato for Ksh. 10, and my customers love the large size of the tomatoes.” Her husband, John Mwangi, noted that neighboring farmers, impressed by their success, are eager to adopt the same methods.
Another beneficiary, Mary Muthoni from Tayari Farm in Molo Sub-County, also credited the technology with increasing her income. "I can now graft my own plants after buying certified seedlings from local agrovets. My weekly earnings have risen to Ksh. 7,000, up from Ksh. 3,000 when I first started," Muthoni explained.
Prof. Ogweno highlighted the significance of technology transfer in this project. “The trained farmers can now do grafting on their own farms, which ensures the sustainability of the practice,” he said. He also noted that Egerton University is actively producing grafted, disease-resistant seedlings, ensuring a steady supply for farmers in the region.
Mary Muthoni at Tayari Farm, Molo Sub-County, explaining how she now grafts her own plants and earns up to Ksh. 7,000 per week thanks to the IFAD-funded project. Photo credit: Kurian Musa/Egerton University, 17th October
Looking ahead, Prof. Ogweno encouraged investment in the commercialization of grafted seedlings. “I urge investors to consider engaging in the commercialization of grafted seedlings. This will enable farmers to continue producing tomatoes once their current crops are harvested,” he added.
The project has already made a significant impact, with over 4,000 farmers trained and 14 demonstration sites established in Molo, Njoro, Subukia, Bahati, Gilgil, Kuresoi South, and Naivasha. Additionally, farmers practicing open-field tomato production in Rongai Sub-County have also benefited from the training.
According to Prof. Liu Yutao, the benefits of this technology extend beyond tomatoes. The grafting method can be applied to other crops, allowing farmers to diversify and enhance productivity across the region. “The technology empowers youth, enabling them to earn a living by grafting tomatoes and other crops for local farmers and by innovatively making grafting pegs required for the process,” Prof. Liu explained.
The success of this IFAD-funded project demonstrates the potential of collaboration and technology transfer in improving agricultural practices and livelihoods for rural farmers in Kenya.
By Kurian Musa
Communications Officer,
Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization,
Egerton University
