NAKURU: Egerton University is pioneering a novel approach to combatting tomato bacterial wilt through advanced grafting techniques. Researchers at the institution have developed a method that involves grafting a scion of the commercial Anna F1 tomato variety onto a resistant rootstock from the Chinese wells variety, enhancing resilience against bacterial wilt and boosting yields.
According to Kenya News Agency, Professor Joshua Otieno Ogweno from Egerton University’s Department of Crops, Horticulture, and Soils, explained the process of grafting, which strengthens the plants against the bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The initiative, part of a collaboration with Nanjing Agricultural University and the Confucius Institute, aims to empower rural youth and enhance food security through innovative horticultural solutions. The project is currently being trialed in Nakuru, Kisumu, and Nyandarua counties.
The project is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and has a
lready trained over 4,000 farmers in greenhouse tomato farming and grafting techniques. Professor Ogweno emphasized that the project’s core objective is to improve food security and nutrition, reduce poverty among smallholder farmers, and empower the youth by transferring grafting technology and boosting productivity in the tomato value chain.
Professor Liu Yutao, the project’s Co-Principal, highlighted the success of the grafting technology, which allows farmers to achieve higher yields with weekly harvests, even during dry seasons. The technology’s transferability to other crops also offers farmers opportunities to diversify and enhance productivity.
Farmers like Mary Wambui from Molo Sub-County have reported significant improvements in their harvests and income since adopting the grafting technology. The project has established 14 demonstration sites and provided essential infrastructure support to farmers, further ensuring the sustainability and success of these agricultural innovations.