Tomato farmers in Thika Sub-county have been asked to brace themselves for adverse effects on their crops with regards to the anticipated El Nino rains.
Speaking in Ngoingwa on Monday, a Thika Sub-County field extension officer Elizabeth Nduta warned that tomato farmers may suffer set-backs due to problems that come with heavy rains in tomato farming. She said that tomato plants are likely to be affected by fungal diseases like early blight and fungal blight among others.
"To mitigate the impact of fungal diseases on their tomato crops, we advise farmers to start spraying them with recommended fungicides before the rains start", said Nduta.
Nduta also said that the tomatoes were likely to suffer from cracking and splitting which she said comes as a result of weakening of the fruit's protective skin due to heavy rains. She advised that laying mulch on the crops would help control the unregulated moisture and reduce the problem.
She also advised the farmers to be in touch with her office throughout the rainy season in order to receive specialized advice on their respective tomato crops.