Description of Activities
Site Selection
A plot of land which had full exposure to sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon
hours was chosen to ensure good fruit set and quality. Also the selected plot was a flat surface
which had relatively light air movement.
Land Preparation
The selected site was then brush-cut, first by, using a cutlass and then mechanically using a weed
whacker. The surface area was broken up using a garden fork. The garden fork loosened the soil
surface allowing air and water to enter the soil more freely as well as mixing and burying the
organic matter with the soil. A cutlass was later used to break up large clods of soil into
aggregates, thus forming a fine tilth. The fine tilth is suitable for the crop tomato. The roots of
the plants were now easy to penetrate the soil and grow.
After which box drains were dug using fork, hoe and spade to remove the excess water from the
surface and sub-surface of the soil. The land was then leveled and flat tops beds of approximately
one meter (1 m) wide and four meter (4m) long. Pen manure was then in cooperated into the soil.
Seedling Production and Seedbed Management
Seed trays were washed with disinfectant and allowed to dry by draining. This prevented
possible pathogen from harming the seeds when planted. Potting mixture was added to the seed
tray, after which one seed per cell was placed into the seed tray. More potting soil mixture was
leveled on the seed tray and watered.
Seed beds are useful for the production of tomatoes, improper management of seed beds results
in several diseases in seedlings and as such the death of plants. Seed beds must carefully be
managed. Seed beds should be located away from ornamental gardens. Also, before planting,
seed beds should be sterilized by fire to prevent infection; as seedling can also be infected. After
the emergence of seedlings they must be sprayed or dusted with fungicides at regular intervals.
Planting and Transplanting
Seeds were planted single into the compartments of the seed tray. Seedlings were kept in a
nursery where all the desired conditions could be created for the young plant. Before
transplanting, the seedlings were gradually exposed to sunlight over a period of seven to ten days
(7-10). This ensured that the plant was capable of withstanding the extreme temperatures of the
sunlight. At about four (4) weeks old the tomatoes were removed from each cell, their roots
pinched to allow them to easily penetrate the soil and placed into the holes of the seed bed. The
seeds were then formed into the soil. Plants were later staked molded and mulched.
Irrigation
While in the nursery the young plants were watered using a watering container with a fine hose.
Directly after the plants had been transplanted, they were also watered, however, on the field an
irrigating system was used. This system watered the field crops at regular intervals.
Weed Control
Weeds were removed by the use of a machete (cutlass) as well as by hand (that is weeds were
uprooted every two week).
Fertilizer
To prevent the plant from being nutrient deficient fertilizer must be added. The NPK fertilizer of
grade 14:28. The fourteen (14) was applied at every three (3) week interval, beginning two (2)
weeks after planting using row application in this project. Usually a sample of the soil should
first be obtained and tested to determine which nutrient it lacks. However, this was not done, but
pen manure was added during the preparation of the land.
Pest and Disease Control
The tomatoes were attacked mostly by caterpillars. Thos was controlled by manually picking
them off as well as an insecticide Pestac was added 5ml per 4.5 liter of water. The plant also
suffered the attack of the Jheric curl viruses. Monitoring plants on a daily basic is essential to
detect and quickly control pest infestation or signs of diseases.
Harvesting and Post Harvesting
Post harvested fruits were placed in large wooden trays and stored in dry, protected areas for
ripening. As for harvesting, from two (2) to three (3) month after planting the fruits which are the
first are ready for harvesting. Fruits with their areas beneath their sepals becoming brown are
mature and are therefore harvested. Harvested fruits were manually picked. The fruts were then
graded based on size and their degree of ripeness.
Storage and Marketing
The graded fruits were stored in a cool, clean dry and safe ara. The fruits were then sold to the
schools canteen.
Sketch of land layout
The picture below shows the sketch of land which was used for this project.
The pictures below show the stages of plant growth.
Tomato seeds
Seedling Trays
Tomato seeding in tray
Fertilizer
Potting mixture
Insecticide
Pesticide
Spray pan
Machete
Knives
Harvesting crate
Scale
SCHEDULE OF OPERATION
WEEK 1-3
Site selection
Land Preparation
Seedling production
WEEK 4
Transplanting
seedling
Irrigating
WEEK 5-6
of Irrigating
Weed control
Fertilizing
Pest
and
disease
management / control
Harvesting and post
harvesting
Storage and marketing
COMPLETE BUDGET (projected income and expenditure)
This budget shows a projected income (output X price0, projected expenditure (itemized) and a
surplus (profit) or deficit (loss).
ASSUMPTIONS
Land was already in place.
Labour cost supplied by students
Utilities (Electricity and water) cost supplied by school
Irrigation fittings in place
Area of land to be cultivated ( 1 sq chain /4356 sq ft)
CALCULATIONS
INCOME = yield X number of plants.
Let find the number of plants first.
Number of plants = Area / planting distance
= 4356 / ( 2X3)
= 4356/6
=726
Income = Yield per plant
9lbs X 726
6,534 lbs
Seeds
Number of trays = number of plants / number of cells in tray
=726/200
= 3.6 to the nearest ten
=4
Fertilizer
Fertilizer (N.P.K) of grade [Link]
The amount required = 2ounce per plant for 2 applications
=2oz X 726x2
=2904 oz/ plant
Since fertilizers are sold by bags 2904 oz must be converted o pound and then bags
16 oz = 1 lbs
2904 oz = 2904 oz x1 lbs/16oz
= 181.5 lbs
Then
1 bag = 50 lbs
Xbag = 181.5 lbs
X bag = (181.5lbs x1bag) /501 lbs
= 3.36 bag which is = 4 bags
COMPLETE BUDGET
PRODUCTION COST For 4356 sq ft of land
DESCRIPTION TOTAL WT
FARM
LBS
INCOME
SALE
OF 6534
PRODUCE
EXPENSES
ITEMS
Seeds
Seedling tray
Fertilizer
Potting mix
Land
Preparation
bushing
Insecticide
Fungicide
Spray Pan
Machete
Knives
Harvesting
crate
Scale
TOTAL $
90
588,060.00
TOTAL
INCOME
588060.00
QUANTITY
1 (1000)
4
4
2
UNIT
PK
each
Bg
each
each
UNIT COST $
2,211.00
500.00
4,500.00
1,000.00
TOTAL $
2,211.00
2,000.00
18,000.00
4,000.00
1 (250ml)
1 (250ml)
1
4
2
1
ml
Ml
each
each
each
Each
426.00
420.00
5,143.00
920.00
217.00
1,100.00
426.00
420.00
5,143.00
3,680.00
434.00
1,100.00
Each
2,510.00
2,510.00
Total cost
dr
UNIT PRICE$
37,924.00
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Actual income and expenses statement)
PRODUCTION COST For 4356 sq ft of land
DESCRIPTION TOTAL WT
FARM
LBS
INCOME
SALE
OF 3000
PRODUCE
EXPENSES
ITEMS
Seeds
Seedling tray
Fertilizer
Potting mix
Land
Preparation
bushing
Insecticide
Fungicide
Spray Pan
Machete
Knives
Harvesting
crate
Scale
TOTAL $
100
300,000.00
TOTAL
INCOME
300,000.00
QUANTITY
1 (1000)
4
4
2
UNIT
PK
each
Bg
each
UNIT COST $
2,211.00
500.00
4,500.00
1,000.00
TOTAL $
2,211.00
2,000.00
18,000.00
2,000.00
1 (250ml)
1 (250ml)
1
4
2
1
ml
Ml
each
each
each
Each
426.00
420.00
5,143.00
920.00
217.00
1,100.00
426.00
420.00
5,143.00
3,680.00
434.00
1,100.00
Each
2,510.00
2,510.00
Total cost
Estimated profit = total income expense
= 588,060.00 37,924.00
= 550,136.00
Actual profit
UNIT PRICE$
= total income expense
= 300,000.00 37,924.00
= 262,076.00
37,924.00
ANALYSIS OF PROJECT
Comparison for Projected and Actual Income
Totals
700000
600000
500000
400000
Column1
Series 1
300000
200000
100000
0
Actual
Project
Income
This project made an actual income $300,000.00 while the forecasted income is $588,000.00.
This deficit is due to the poor management of crops; however the projected income was
calculated with the assumption of a perfect crop overturn. It did not take into consideration the
changing weather condition.
Comparison for Projected and Actual Expenses
90,000.00
80,000.00
70,000.00
60,000.00
50,000.00
Column1
40,000.00
Series 1
30,000.00
20,000.00
10,000.00
0.00
Projected
Actual
Expenditure
Both the projected and the actual expenditures are $37,924.00. Therefore the quantities of items
projected and their prices were actually used in the project.
Comparison between Projected and Actual Profit
This project made an actual profit of two hundred sixty two thousand and seventy-six dollars ($
262,076.00), while I had projected a profit of five hundred and fifty thousand one hundred and
thirty six dollars ($550,136.00). This figure would be realized if crops were managed properly
and maximized the full production.
GENERAL COMMENTS
The overall operation of this project was very informative and worthwhile; this project has
taught the experimenter that maintenance throughout the production period is equally important
to land preparation and necessary materials and equipments.
With the information gained, the experimenter is now capable of cultivating the crop (tomato) for
best yields.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following could have done to maximize productivity:
Crops should have been monitored more closely.
Improve pest and disease management.
The selling price must reflect existing market price.
More mulching could have been done to keep the soil cool.
Improvement of the irrigating systems should be used as crop were plan in the dry
season.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, cultivating the crop tomato requires time and knowledge. Factors such as water
supply and prey predator relationships greatly affects crops therefore one must monitor crops
keenly. Although poor management mainly contributed to the loss of crops, the full amounts of
crops were not maximized, but we were still able to heal a surplus.
