The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), with funding from the South Korean government and collaboration with 10 other African countries, has produced 300 varieties to help enhance tomato production in Africa. KALRO has been testing the new varieties at its smart greenhouse, with production expected to increase sixfold. The greenhouse demonstrates the capabilities of the application of the Internet of Things in tomato farming in a bid to increase yields and reduce post-harvest losses as a result of pest infestation.
Through IoT, farmers will be able to get detailed information on each stage of crop development, enabling them to address problems such as weather changes pests control by issuing necessary commands remotely via a short message service. The smart greenhouse is part of KALRO’s efforts to increase tomato production in the country through the Ksh 240 million Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI).
The tomato and onion production enhancement project, which is now in its fourth year and is set to end next year, is a research collaboration that brings together 14 countries. The project has realized the development of tomato seed varieties that are now expected to be released to farmers after the conclusion of various approvals.
Source: kbc.co.ke