royal yacht gothic

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With Dr. Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian – Cruiser Reviewer in the Passenger Shipping Industry since 1960

Shaw Savill & Albion Line

The Corinthic Class Liners

S.S. Corinthic , Athenic , Ceramic & the Royal Yacht R.Y. Gothic

Note the two large scoop air ventilators in front of the funnel

Re the Royal Yacht – R.Y. Gothic

The magnificent Royal Yacht the R.Y. Gothic

PLEASE NOTE: Although there was an extended page on her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and His Highness Prince Philip’s “ Coronation’s World Tour ” online on the R.Y. Gothic , however late last September I took it offline to introduce a more superior version on line with more details than I had previously! Considering our beloved Queen and Prince Philip, who sadly have now both passed away, May they Rest in Pease! Prince Philip did write to me thanking me for the article, and especially how I dealt with the tragic rail accident in New Zealand whilst they were there and their attendance at the funeral of those who had so sadly passed away. As well as their wonderful tour details in Fiji , Tonga and Australia and elsewhere. I do hope it will be back online before soon.

Re the Author of ssmaritine :

By his associate since 1983. Shmuel Elisha (SE) .

However whist at an out patient at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane Australia I had one of my once a month, fits which I usually come out of within a minute, maximum two minutes, But this lot who did now know me created hell when all was normal again, and me and my friend said “NO, we will go Home, He (I) is fine and we (I) Do not want to go to Emergency! Yet they rushed me to emergency, never checked my Medicine list, and made a disgraceful error and put me in a four day COMA and nearly killed me for they did not bother to check all my medicine list, and gave me for 4 days the very powerful opinion known as ENDONES. Official statements say’s: “ BUPREDERMAL or ( Norspan ) patches mixed with these medicines such as other  Opioids  like ENDONES will cause coma and death” .

Before this hospital I lived a normal life, and I enjoyed it even though I had certain health problem’s but they were perfectly controlled. This completely unseen doctor turned me from being a normal person, I am now a complete cripple and no longer have a life, like used to have before I went to an out patient, when the destroyed my life! I am now considered by our Government as one of the sickest people in the land. And I now receive home nursing.

He will try to up date this wonderful Royal Yacht with my help of course, as he is losing his sight and he can no longer stand at all, thus not walk anymore as he did last October. He was 100% normal with some Health problems, but he was perfectly managed by the finest Professors and the best Specialists, but the so-called and never ever seen dr. Kylie Johnson in the 10 ddays whilst he was in that evil hospital with for people around Him from early in the morning to late at night every single day. We found that that the Mater Hospital in Brisbane was a very dangerous place to be. Reuben and everyone we now will never set a foot in that place again, for they have no official government backing. (SE) .

Dr. Reuben Goossens, with Medals from the late Dutch Queen Juliana (centre), and the British Royal House (left side).

I have been thanked for writing on so many Dutch Liners, a well on countless British Ships, but the

British Medal was due to the feature on the R.Y. Gothic, which God willing will be back online soon!

If you so wish you can go directly to the Royal Yacht R.Y. Gothic

Further below

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Shaw Shavill Ordering Their Four Ships:

In 1946 Saw Savill & Albion ordered four new passenger cargo liners that would join their much larger sister QSMV Dominion Monarch on the UK - New Zealand service. Each would be around 15,000 GRT (Gross registered tons) and accommodated 85 first class passengers. Being passenger cargo ships each had 6 large holds, with space for 668,000 cubic feet of cargo, of which 510,000 was for refrigerated goods.

PLEASE NOTE : All photographs, unless marked otherwise, are by the author, or from the author’s private collection. There are some from unknown sources. *Please read the special note at the bottom of the page in regard to these photographs.

Details in order of completion

S.S. Corinthic

SS Corinthic (2), built by Cammell Laird & Co Birkenhead (yard 1175), was the first of the series. She was launched on May 30, 1946, completed in April 1947 and departed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Sydney on April 12, 1947.

SS Corinthic

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S.S. Athenic

The Corinthic was followed by SS Athenic (2), built by Harland and Wolff, Ltd, Belfast (yard 1326), was launched on November 26, 1946, completed in July 1947 and departed on her maiden voyage London to Auckland on August 1, 1947.

Athenic - launching on November 26, 1946

From the Harland and Wolff Archives

SS Athenic enters the water for the first time and will head for her fit-out berth

S.S. Ceramic

The second set was the SS ceramic (2), also built Cammell Laird (yard 1185), was launched December 30, 1947, completed in October 1948 and departed on her maiden voyage on November 6, 1948, from Liverpool to Auckland .

SS Ceramic in Auckland New Zealand

Note the new mushroom style ventilators forward and aft of the funnel

Ceramic arriving in Lyttelton () in the South Island of New Zealand on September 23, 1961

Photograph by and © Dave Edge - New Zealand

S.S. Gothic

The fourth, the SS Gothic (2), built by Swan Hunter, Wallsend -on-Tyne (yard 1759), would become the most famed of the quartet as she would become the Royal Yacht in 1952-53. She was launched on December 12, 1947, completed in December 1948, and departed on her maiden voyage on December 23, 1948, sailing from Liverpool to Sydney .

SS Gothic seen as built with the “Thorneycroft” funnel

Differences between the first & second sets of ships

The hulls on both the Ceramic and Gothic varied somewhat from their earlier sisters, having “rolled” bows and mushroom style deck ventilators, whilst their older sisters having “razor” style bows and scoop ventilators, however, their superstructures were the same. In 1951 Ceramic and Gothic were given “Thorneycroft” smoke-deflecting funnel tops. These proved such a success they were also fitted to P&O’s Himalaya and Chusan in 1953.

Accommodations

Like their famed running mate QSMV Dominion Monarch, their appointments were luxurious with walls clad in fine timbers, Persian rugs adorning the floors, as well as a host of tapestries, murals and fine paintings. Accommodating just 85, passengers obviously lived in considerable comfort! For the number of passengers, their superstructures were quite large. Each featured two wide covered promenade decks and spacious sports decks above.

The stately QSMV Dominion Monarch

A photo of a model of the ship - sent in by J. Thurston

Public rooms: Promenade deck aft featured the elegant Smoke Room, followed by the light and airy Verandah Café. The Dinning Room and Main Lounge was located forward on Bridge ( Main ) deck.

All “Premium” cabins were located on boat deck, with other cabins being situated forward on Promenade deck, and aft on Main deck. Each had 53 cabins, consisting of suites, twin and single bedded cabins, most having private facilities. The standard and style of accommodation was in line with the luxurious Dominion Monarch.

Their main rivals on the Panama route to New Zealand were the New Zealand Shipping Company’s much larger Rangitoto and Rangitane . Yet many preferred the intimacy of the Corinthic Class Passenger-Cargo Liners.

Schedules were varied: As example From May to December in 1954 both the SS Athenic and Ceramic sailed from London, via Tenerife or Las Palmas, Cape Town, to Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and then to New Zealand ports and homeward. Both Gothic and Corinthic operated on the London , Curacao, Cristobal /Balboa, New Zealand service. Later in the sixties all four ships operated on this service, but did alternate Curacao with Trinidad in July-Oct/Nov 1962/63. Thereafter from 1964 to 1966 they operated on a round the world service sailing from the UK via the Panama Canal and returning via South Africa . This information was gleaned from schedules dated - 1954, 1962/63 and 1994 to 1966. Please note: I have no actual departure dates only the information given above as I obtained details from the front cover of these schedules I found online.

SS Corinthic seen at Lyttleton New Zealand on 13 May 1962

Photograph © Dave Edge – New Zealand

Specifications

Tonnage:                             Corinthic -15,682 (14,285 - 1965)

                                         Athenic – 15,187 (14,248 - 1965)

                                         Ceramic – 15,869

                                         Gothic – 15,902

Length - Beam:                    Corinthic – 560ft x 71.2ft

                                         Athenic – 564ft x 71.2ft

                                         Ceramic – 564ft x 72.2ft

                                         Gothic – 561ft x 72.2ft

Draught:                             All - 29.7ft

Engines:                              Geared steam turbines from builders

SHP:                                   14,000

Screws:                               Twin

Service speed:                     17 knots

Passenger decks:     Four

Passengers:                         85 first class

Crew:                                  95

Also read : The Rob Wilson Story - Engineer on S.S. Corinthic 1961/62

Royal Yacht – R.Y. Gothic

PLEASE NOTE: Although there was an extended page on her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s “Coronation’s World Tour” online, however late last September I took it offline to introduce far more material considering our beloved Queen and the Prince Philip had passed away; May they Test in Peace!

However as you may have read above there has been a tragedy with Reuben, and we hope that we may be able together to finish these pages. Thankfully he had written much of it before e visited that evil Hospital that completely destroyed his Life! (SE) .

The Reason it may take a while is because of the following:

Reuben, with my help will try to update the Royal Yacht Gothic pages with help of my assistance, as he is going blind and not able to stand any more or walk. All of those things he could do before the Mater Hospital in Brisbane Australia who severely poisoned Him with a medicine which he was not permitted to have, his doctor and every medical expert made this very clear, such as Opioids like ENDONE ! Reuben was 100% normal with some health problems and pain which he has gad since 1987, but he was perfectly managed by the very Professors and Specialists, but this lot in this Hospital where he was just going to an out clinic, seemed to go totally mad. The so-called and never ever seen in 10 days dr who proved to be nothing more than a GP Kylie Johnson proved to be very Dangerous . I am sure that Reuben will never set a foot in that place ever again, for they are not an official government backed Hospital, and from my experience they are very dangerous! Four people sad around his almost 24 hours per day whist he was in a four day coma, having made a complaint, they cme back with   no not in a coma, he was just drowsy. Sorry ms no one, two of as are medically trained and he did not wake up for full days, not a single eye blink, that my dear is a Coma! The Hospital is now under investigation. Official Medical sources clearly state “ BUPREDERMAL (another name is ‘ Norspan ’) patches with medicines, including other Opioids like ENDONE will cause COMA or DEATH ”. Obviously Reuben was wearing a Norspan Patch 30 mg, but the Hospital did not bother to check his medicine list! R.E.

The S.S. Gothic was Refitted first in 1951:

Gothic was sent to Cammell Laird shipyards in 1951 to be refitted to become the Royal Yacht for a tour of Australia and New Zealand . However, due to the sad passing of King George obviously the tour was cancelled. Although considerable work had already been done, but she was returned in 1953 to continue the refit. During this refit her hull painted white, and she looked very attractive indeed.

SS Gothic the Royal Yacht in Hobart in February 1954

*Photographer unknown

 The Royal Suites and Lounges and Dinning Room were magnificent, and the work was done in a palatial manner.

This passenger lounge was converted to be the Queens private lounge

This commemorative postcard was issued for New Zealand and Australia

The SS Gothic 1953/54 – Souvenir Royal Tour Badge

A superb shot of the Royal Yacht

She carried HRH Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Caribbean and later across the pacific for the Royal visit to Australia and New Zealand .

SS Gothic seen in Fremantle, note the Royal standard on the forward mast departing the Port of Fremantle

The Final Years of the Gothic

After her Royal duties, her hull was repainted black again and returned to her regular duties sailing from London to New Zealand . Both Gothic and Ceramic remained full time passenger-cargo liners, sailing between Britain and New Zealand , whereas in 1965 Corinthic was sent to Schiedam in the Netherlands and Athenic to Newcastle to have all passenger accommodations removed and were converted as full time cargo ships.

Repainted in her original livery, the Gothic returned to regular passenger’s services

Seen with her new funnel extension after her Royal Yacht days

On August 2, 1968, having left New Zealand several days earlier, Gothic suffered a devastating fire onboard. The crew were valiant and extinguished fire. Sadly seven lives were lost and the ship suffered considerable damage. She had to make it back to Wellington in bad weather conditions and the following photograph was carried in the Wellington Evening Post when she finally arrived.

The Gothic encounters stormy seas as she approaches Wellington

Wellington Evening Post

Whilst in New Zealand the structural damage was temporary repaired, then upon her departure for Liverpool , she was listed as 15,109 GRT. Having returned to Britain the fire damage was never fully repaired. After an extended stay in Liverpool she made only one more return voyage to New Zealand after which was sold to Taiwanese breakers. Having been such a successful and a beautiful combination liner for 21 years, her days ended when she arrived at Kaohsiung on August 13, 1969. I know that I will never forget her!

SS Gothic seen after the partial fire repairs

Forward windows were sealed and cabins remained closed after the fire

One of the last photographs taken of the Gothic

The R.Y. Gothic will be on the main page soon at; click the Link below, if not there as yet, click the back arrow

ssMaritime.co m

The end of the S.S. Corinthic and Athenic

Sadly the demise of her two sisters SS Corinthic and the Athenic followed all too soon after as they were sold to Taiwanese breakers. They arrived in Kaohsiung just two days apart, on October 23 and October 25, 1969, respectively and were duly broken up. However the third of the series would live on for a while yet and thrill ship lovers in the UK and in New Zealand for a while longer!

The last ship of the Series – S.S. Ceramic

The wonderful SS Ceramic sailed on as the longest serving passenger-cargo ship of the series

SS Ceramic served for another three years, serving a total of 24 years, as a full time passenger-cargo liner. However early 1972 she was sold to Belgium breakers and she arrived at the Boel & Fils breakers yard at Tamise on June 13, 1972.

The Author’s Memories

Whilst working in the passenger shipping industry first in Wellington , and later in Auckland , I had the opportunity to visit each ship many times. I came to love these ships and the passengers always spoke of their happy experiences, especially the fine service onboard and the wonderful meals enjoyed. *Yes, many would tell me that “in rough seas they were not the most stable ships at sea,” yet few complained. For some reason the Gothic made the greatest impression on me, I do not know why, but although all four ships were very similar, in fact almost identical, she had a special and a unique atmosphere, and I enjoyed my many visits on her. Sadly, I never had the opportunity to sail on these fine ships.

*Recently I received an interesting email from Dick Goodey who was the Second Engineer on both Corinthic and Athenic he wrote in response to the above statement “in rough seas they were not the most stable ships at sea.” I would like to place his most informative email below as it contains some interesting information.

“Dear Reuben,

For many years I have enjoyed your entertaining writing on real ships, and agree with the majority of your views. However, I must take issue with your; “ in rough seas they were not the most stable ships at sea," The statement itself is true, but gives the impression that these ships were uncomfortable in rough weather. Even when fully loaded with several thousand tons of butter in their holds, these ships had a small meta-centric height and thus technically were not the most stable ships at sea. However, this gave them a very nice slow and even rolling motion, far more comfortable than the unnatural, stiff, stabilized motion of the larger modern vessels. There were no better ships to take a far south great circle route across the Pacific.

On the subject of great circle routes, you will be interested in the method of steering the Athenic . Frank White who was the Chief Engineer for almost 20 years, ordered one screw to turn slightly faster in order to keep the rudder amidships as much as possible. Outward, the port screw was faster homeward it was starboard’s turn. The system worked, the Athenic used less fuel than the Corinthic !

I sailed as Second Engineer on both Corinthic and Athenic , undoubtedly the high water mark of my sea-going career.”

I thank Dick Goodey for this insight of the running of the ships!

Ceramic arriving in Auckland New Zealand in the mid sixties    

Also read : The Rob Wilson Story - 9th . Engineer on SS Corinthic 1961/62

Over the years Reuben has received thousands of Dear Dr. Goossens emails of thanks and on this page there are just some of them .

The following are all my Shaw Savill features on ssMaritime.com :

1... SS Athenic Class Ships :       These three fine liners built in 1902/03 introduced two of the names on this page .

2… QSMV Dominion Monarch :              She was Shaw Savill’s the ultimate Super Luxury Liner.

3… SS Corinthic Class Liners :              Four fine Luxury Passenger Cargo ships built in 1947/48.

4… SS Corinthic Part Two:                  The story by S.S.  Corinthic’s Engineer by Rob Wilson who served

.       onboard  from 1961 to 1962.

  5… Royal Yacht “R.Y. Gothic:              Currently being up dated, back online soon.

        6… SS Southern Cross :                           A 23 webpage feature on a revolutionary passenger liner!

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Blue Water Liners sailing to the distant shores. I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them die. ”

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Where the ships of the past and the Luxury Cruise Liners of today make history .

The Author has been in Passenger Shipping & the Cruise Industry since 1960.

“Managing Director”, and “Owned a Cruise Company”

In addition he was founder of “Save the Classic Liners Campaign” in 1990.

Please Note : ssmaritime and associated sites are 100% non-commercial and the author  seeks  no funding of any shape or form, never have and never will!

Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by ;  the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned, so sorry if this is the case.

This notice covers all pages ;  although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

ssMaritime   is owned & © Copyright by   Reuben   Goossens   - All Rights Reserved.

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SS Gothic took the Queen on her Commonwealth tour

Posted in Historical articles , Royalty , Ships on Sunday, 25 September 2011

Click on any image for details about licensing for commercial or personal use.

This edited article about ships originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 823 published on 22 October 1977.

The S.S. Gothic was the first merchant vessel to be taken over as a royal yacht, yet retain her status under the “Red Duster” without being taken over lock, stock and barrel by the Royal Navy.

When the P & O liner Medina, for example, was commissioned as a royal yacht, her officers and crew were drafted aboard from the Royal Navy.

The Gothic, however, maintained her mercantile crew and her captain was drafted from one of her contemporaries.

Her parent company, Shaw Savill and Albion Line, was a long established shipping concern, maintaining passenger and cargo services to many parts of the globe.

When World War Two ended, the company had to face the hard fact that thirteen ships had been lost – many of them large refrigeration vessels. High on the list for replacement were the ships needed for the New Zealand and Australian routes.

After a period of chartering and generally making-do, the company got into its stride again. After taking delivery of several fine new ships, a vessel which was destined for ever-lasting fame was launched. Her name was Gothic.

In 1951, a great honour was bestowed on the Shaw Savill line when the Gothic was chosen by the Admiralty for the Royal Commonwealth Tour to be made that year by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, now the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret.

Previous royal tours of this magnitude had usually been made by Royal Navy warships, and on the two occasions that merchant vessels had been used, the Navy had taken them over completely.

This time, Gothic, now in every respect a royal yacht, was to sail under the Red Ensign with her usual crew. In addition, she was to carry outward and homeward cargoes as on a normal voyage. Alterations were carried out to the accommodation and slight modifications were made, when because of the king’s ill health, it was decided that the tour would be carried out by Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Gothic sailed to East Africa, but their Royal Highnesses had to cancel their tour, owing to the sudden death of the king.

The following year the new Queen and the Duke decided to undertake another Commonwealth tour, and the Gothic was prepared again. For the occasion she was painted white, with green at her waterline, while her funnel carried the company’s colours of buff with black top.

It was the express wish of the Queen that Gothic should use her cargo capacity to the full while acting as a royal yacht, and in consequence she proceeded to Liverpool and London to load aboard 6,300 tons of general cargo.

Sir Winston Churchill was moved to make a statement on the tour in the House of Commons. “I move that an humble address be presented to her Majesty for the safe journey and happy return on her Commonwealth Tour.

“It will be the first time that a British sovereign has circumnavigated the globe. Her Majesty’s ship, Gothic, is more spacious and travels faster than the Golden Hind, but it may well be that the journey which the Queen is about to make will be no less auspicious and the treasures which she brings back no less bright than when Drake first sailed an English ship around the world.”

With Winston Churchill’s stirring words ringing in their cars, the crew of the Gothic sailed from London to Kingston, Jamaica, on 10th November, 1953. Twelve days later she embarked the Queen and Duke, who had crossed the Atlantic by air. From the West Indies onward, the Queen’s journey was a tremendous success. After passing through the Panama Canal, Gothic called at Suva and Tonga, and went on from there to Auckland and Wellington.

During the next two months, she also visited Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and other ports before arriving at Fremantle. The next leg of the journey took her across the Indian Ocean to Cocos Island, Colombo and the Red Sea port of Aden.

Before reaching Aden, the Queen unexpectedly held an investiture aboard in which she bestowed honours, including a knighthood, upon members of the crew – thus making Merchant Navy history.

From Aden the Royal party flew to Tobruk, where they joined the royal yacht, Britannia, for the last leg back to England.

Her duties done, Gothic slipped quietly back into her cargo/passenger role with the rest of the Shaw Savill fleet.

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Arrival of the steamship 'Gothic' at Sydney, 3 February 1954

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• Face-to-face with disaster: The Gothic fire

Forty-nine years later, in September 2017, he wrote the following memoir for maritimeradio.org which we are honoured to publish in memory of those who died as a result of the fire, and those who fought to save the ship.

By Tony Clark

In May 1968, I was contacted at my parents’ home in Hull, East Yorkshire, by Fred Sibley from Shaw Savill’s head office at the Royal Docks in North Woolwich. I was on leave after signing off from a trip on MV Aramaic .

Fred was the fixer at Shaw Savill. Ensuring that each vessel had a full complement of engineers for the voyage, he was something like what might be called “Personnel” or “HR” these days.

He asked me if I would take the post of 5th Engineer on SS Gothic , as I had had a bit of experience on her sister ship, Ceramic , a couple of years previously.

I was 23 years old and had been with Shaw Savill for over three years. I don’t think I was very pleased at breaking off my leave to go back early, but I needed more steamship time to qualify for taking my 2nd Engineer’s Certificate. This trip would put enough on my record to do that.

I replied that I would do it if I was upgraded to 4th Engineer. Fred agreed to this, as they had two 2nd Engineers aboard already, Colin Wickham as Senior 2nd and Phil Stanton as Junior 2nd. I knew of Phil, as he was also from the Hull area.

Gothic had been converted from her original purpose as a cargo/passenger liner, when she had quite luxurious accommodation for around 90 passengers.

She made comfortable, if somewhat boring, voyages of around 30 days, with just a one-day call at Curacao to fill up with fuel oil, and a passage through the Panama Canal, then on to New Zealand.

There was also the exciting stop at Pitcairn Island, to transport two or three children to schools in New Zealand for a term, and buy an awful carved fish from the islanders. There were only about 60 people living on Pitcairn, all descendants of mutineers of the HMS Bounty and a few Tahitian ladies the crew had picked up at their last port of call, before leaving their captain in a little boat with some of his chums to row their own way back to England. (That story would make a good film someday.)

4th Engineer Tony Clark aboard Gothic

Colin Wickham was on the 4-8 engineers’ watch, and Phil Stanton on the 12-4.

My Intermediate Engineer was Willie McGurk of Lisburn, Northern Ireland and my Junior Engineer was, if I recall correctly, a youngster from southern England who might have been called Ed or Eddie.

I also remember Pete (Danny) Mulcahy (5th Engineer), Jim Christie (Chief Electrician), Paul (Ricky) Goldfinch (Junior Engineer), and of course Eddie Skelley (3rd Electrician and the scousiest scouser I have ever met).

I remember David Buck as he was my opposite number in the deck department on the 8-12 watch.

Roger Cliffe was the Radio Officer and I knew him quite well as I believe he was from the town of Bridlington, on the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire. I think he trained in Hull. As Bridlington was less than 30 miles from where I was living, it felt as though we were neighbours. Our time on the New Zealand coast was spent discharging our general cargo, then chilling the holds down and loading with the usual lamb, cheese and butter, plus bales of wool to fill up the tops of the holds.

The Halliday family joined us, as well as a supernumerary Chief Engineer by the name of John Heffernan, I think, as a passenger in transit back home. John and I had a history of sailing together. He was on Ceramic as 2nd Engineer on my second or third trip. And he also turned up as 2nd on a trip I did on Waipawa in 1967. I was told much later that both he and Phil Stanton became managers at the Drypool Dry Dock Company in Hull, where I had served my apprenticeship.

Fateful trip

On Sunday 28 July, we left Bluff for Panama and then home to Liverpool. The weather took a turn for the worse as we steered towards South America (this I believe was referred to as the “Southern Circle” route) where we would then pick up the current taking us up the coast towards Panama.

We were on the 8-12 watch on the evening of 31 July. At midnight we were relieved by the 12-4 watch, led by the Junior 2nd, Phil Stanton, along with his intermediate and junior engineers.

After Willie, Ed (Eddie?) and I had taken showers, we met in my cabin for a couple of beers to wind down and have a natter about putting the world to right, as usual. Dave Buck and his cadet (I think) joined us.

Around 2.30am, we suddenly started to smell smoke. We looked at each other, then opened the cabin door. The passage was full of smoke, but not too dense at that stage.

Dave Buck dashed off just as the alarms started. I grabbed the large brass window winding handle and a few blankets.

The window winder that Tony grabbed off the wall when he left his cabin

I don’t know why, but I wound the window down and I got out onto the deck. I think this was because the only exit from the Promenade Deck was through the forward end where the fire was, or through the area that had become the crew bar and lounge towards the aft end of that deck.

I’m not sure what Willie and Ed did, but we got together on the starboard side of the promenade deck. Flames could be seen towards the forward end, near the Chief Engineer’s cabin and the entrance to the staircase leading down to the forward lounge and bar area.

The first thing we did was to go up to the Chief’s cabin and start banging on the windows. Then the Chief came up behind us and said that he was OK and for us to carry on and check the others.

The next cabin back was the one I believe was occupied by Eileen Halliday. It was full of smoke and the cabin door was in flames or open, as we could see the glow of the fire through the smoke.

The next cabin down was the 2nd Engineer’s suite, which also looked to be full of smoke. I started to bang on the window and shouted to make sure that if anyone was there to move out of the way as we were coming through. Whilst the window winder was no good to lower the window from the outside in the normal way, it did prove very effective as a hammer, and it shattered the glass (the glass for these windows probably exceeded 1” in thickness).

I looked through the window and saw Colin Wickham, the 2nd Engineer, covered in glass and lots of cuts about his body. We threw the blankets over the remains of the broken glass in the window frame and assisted Colin through it out onto the deck, he looked as though he was suffering from breathing in the smoke.

(I remember sitting with Colin some time later. He told me he had begun to “drift away” from the effects of the smoke, but was thinking: “shut up Clarkie, and just break the bloody glass.” He said he would never forgive me for remarking, when I’d looked through the opening, “It’s Wickham, put the window back.” I do remember something like that, but it was just black humour that kept us all going during the shock of fighting the fire.)

I left Colin with Willie and Ed, and carried on down the line of cabin windows, but there were quite a few of the occupants of these cabins now appearing on the decks. They were running out the hoses and connecting them up to soak the wooden fittings.

We then went around to the port side of the promenade deck, where most of the hoses were out and in use. About halfway down the deck, I passed my window winder to someone else and it was used to break another window. This time it was the cabin of Pete Mulcahy 5th Engineer. Unfortunately he was dead, from what appeared to be smoke inhalation as there was no sign of flames that far down the accommodation.

Locations mentioned in this story, as noted by Tony Clark. These deck plans are for Athenic, a sister ship of Gothic, so may vary in minor details. Click to enlarge.

Gaining the upper hand

The ship then turned about 180 degrees, and we could start to follow up the flames and push them back though the forward areas they had already consumed.

The lifeboats were swung out and lowered, and were being loaded with any members of the crew who were not required to man the fire-fighting parties. I went down to the engine room to report on what was going on “up top”. I certainly felt as though I had to “keep moving” and doing something.

Gothic was rolling very heavily. With the large amount of water being pumped into the upper decks, and being contained by the lip on the lower part of the door openings, much of the water could not escape. When the ship rolled, she stayed at a very acute list, as though deciding whether to roll completely over or come back onto an even keel. But eventually she would come back up.

We think that this erratic rolling could have been what caused Eddie Skelley to lose his balance and go overboard.

It took almost four hours to bring the fire under control, and then we had to assess the results of damage, the casualties, how do we get back to New Zealand, etc.

It certainly was not a very nice task to search the accommodation and passageways, looking for and finding the bodies of our friends, colleagues and mates.

The fire victims comprised passengers John and Eileen Halliday and their sons Alan and David, plus two engineers: Daniel Mulcahy (5th Engineer) and Paul Goldfinch (Junior Engineer). Edward Skelley (3rd Electrician) was lost overboard.

Captain Brian Agnew (right) and Chief Engineer John McKinnon on the burnt out bridge of Gothic. Photo: Evening Post. Alexander Turnbull Library

Steaming back to New Zealand

Because the accommodation on the promenade deck was either destroyed, or water and smoke-damaged, the engineers had to be moved into spare cabins on the deck below, which used to be theirs before the conversion took place. I remember that I had to share with the 2nd Engineer, Colin Wickham. For some reason Colin didn’t seem as adverse to my odd sense of humour as he had been before the fire.

The dining room aboard Gothic after the fire. The remains of the grand piano can be seen in the foreground. Photo: Evening Post, Alexander Turnbull Library

The six people who died in the fire were buried at sea. As I recall, the burial service was carried out in the morning, at which time I would have been in the engine room with the 8-12 watch.

As for the trip back to New Zealand, the engineers just carried on with their normal duties although there was a bit of jigging about with staffing as we were missing a couple of our number. The steering gear controls and the hydraulic rams on the steering engine were in the “poop” deck aft, and all we had to do was disengage the controls from the bridge by removing the locking pins from the connection arms, and replacing them into the holes that connected them to the control arms that were attached to the emergency wheel on the deck above.

Fire damage to three decks, including the bridge, of the liner Gothic is clearly visible as she approaches New Zealand. Photo: Evening Post

After a few days, I was up on the top deck with David Buck, and we heard an aircraft. It turned out to be an RNZAF Lockheed Orion, a radar-equipped submarine hunter, that had found us. It circled for some time, obviously radioing in our position.

I think it was the following day that HMNZS Blackpool caught up with us. She perhaps underestimated our speed as she came up on us from astern.

The few days in Wellington were a bit of a blur, refitting the bridge, radio room and accommodation . There was a memorial service in Wellington Cathedral. Most of us got a few days’ break. I took a flight to Auckland to see some girlfriends from the Mata Hospital.

No further incidents took place on the trip back to Liverpool, where we docked on 10 October.

Gothic survivors meet again

Colin Wickham had always reminded me that I would never reach the dizzy heights of 2nd Engineer, as long as I had an orifice in a particular part of my body (I’m paraphrasing his precise words here).

When we left Gothic in Liverpool, I did some coastal relief duties, then went to Southampton Marine Engineering College in January 1969, and came away with my “ticket” in July of that year.

I was then placed on Ceramic as 3rd Engineer, did a couple of trips, then got promoted to 2nd in June 1970.

2nd Engineer Tony Clark of Ceramic

We did a trip out to Australia, then to New Zealand. Just before we set sail for the UK, there was a knock on my cabin door, which opened to reveal Mr Wickham himself. He looked at me, took a step back looking at the sign above the door, then back at me again.

I then asked if he would like to check if the aforementioned orifice was still there. He said “No thanks,” then “but I would like to introduce my wife Anne to you. We are travelling with you back to the UK to meet my family.”

Colin Wickham in Tony’s cabin aboard Ceramic

When we arrived at Hull, my home port, my father, two uncles and a cousin were on the dockside to watch us dock. It was my first time to dock in Hull, and the first time the family had seen those “three gold rings” on my sleeve. I think my dad was a little bit pleased with my success.

They then came aboard and into my cabin. Colin came in to say goodbye, and I introduced him to my dad – and Colin gave him a hug. My dad had a shock at this; men didn’t show this sort of affection to each other in Hull. Colin distributed beers from my fridge to everyone and kept them all occupied.

I got on with looking after the issuing of instructions and orders for repairs to the shore staff, and left everybody talking together in my dayroom. Colin took his leave from us, my family went home, and when I joined them later that day I was told that Colin had given them the story of Gothic . I hadn’t talked about it much to my parents, but I think they were pleased to hear about it from Colin.

I went on to do more trips in Ceramic , then joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for two or three years. They sent me to Poplar College in East London to do my Chief’s ticket. I met a lovely lass from the east end, Vanessa, and thought “do I really want to go back?” The answer was “No, I think that part of my life has run its course and it’s time for something new.”

We got married in 1976 and moved to the Wharfedale area in West Yorkshire. I worked for the NHS for some 20 years, then into some consultancy work for various government departments. In 2010 I retired and we are now content with the occasional trip to the village pub.

Scenes of terror find expression in words

One last thing – which I almost didn’t include, as I’m embarrassed by its naivety. It’s a poem I wrote only a few days after we got into Wellington. You must understand that my only experience of poetry was with ‘Limericks’, usually regarding “a young lady from Devizes” or suchlike, but I thought I would include it, as it was a moment when this incident was so fresh in my mind.

So I hope you will forgive my awkward attempts as a poet, and take it for what it is, just an ordinary working lad from Hull, with something he felt he had to put down in words to remember that night – as if he could ever forget it.

The Gothic Tragedy

Eighteen hundred miles out, In the grip of the storm Men restlessly slept awaiting the dawn The ship tossed about as the seas they grew higher Then 2:30 am, the ship was on fire Alarms bells they rang and men they did shout At the sleep-fogged minds of those just turned out They tumbled from beds as though in a dream The illusion soon shattered by the wind’s banshee scream The Radio room, it soon caught alight No “MAY DAY” was sent, no-one knew of our plight Through four desperate hours each man played his part With smoke-blackened faces, silent tears in their heart The flames, fanned by fury, through decks it was blown And nothing remained of the splendour we’d known The heat so intense, the boats were swung out Everything seemed lost, ‘til the ship turned about The winds that not long ago, to the flames were allied Now turned the fire back ‘til eventually it died We headed for land that would take us five days Of the Master, the crew, spoke nothing but praise With one day to go a message got through Four days after the fire before the world knew The port of Wellington was reached at long last And everyone says time will blot out the past Of August the first, on that fateful morn The fight against death ‘til the first light of dawn The thoughts will remain to prey on your mind Those only at peace are the seven who died.

AJC – Aug 1968

Navigating this site

• 2018 Commemorations
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• 1928: Pellow leaves Awanui, closure likely
• 1930: Twopence would buy Awanui mast
• Audio: The spark-gap men of Awanui Radio
• 1950s: Photos at Awanui
• 1970: Memories of Awanui
• 1980: 50th anniversary of the closure of ZLA
• 1994: Photos at Awanui
• 1995: Awanui ZLA returns
• 2002: Awanui active again!
• 2004: Awanui Radio ZLA gets infringement notice
• 2013: Hams mark 100 years since VLA opening
• 2015: Update on the new Awanui Radio ZLA
• 2018: Visit to the site of Awanui Radio
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• 1911: Search on for Southland radio station site
• 1912: Awarua station described in detail
• 1913: P&T prepares to take over Awarua Radio
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• 1918: Wizard lighting system a success
• 1929: AW Head to take command at Awarua Radio
• 1930: Amateur licence for Awarua Radio station
• 1935: Yacht Ngataki reports via Awarua Radio
• 1938: Awarua Radio’s original 400ft tower to fall
• 1938: Awarua Radio’s 400ft tower demolished
• Frank Barlow remembers Awarua Radio 1939-1941
• Water treatment plant at Awarua Radio
• 1940: Additions and renovations at Awarua
• 1941: Three new towers at Awarua Radio
• Frank Barlow remembers Awarua Radio: Sequel
• 1941: RT service for small ships at Awarua Radio
• 1945: Aerial plan for Awarua Radio ZLB
• 1945: Awarua Radio steps up when lines go down
• NZ Navy Wrens in secret ops during WW2
• 1953: Green fingers at Awarua Radio
• 1956: The Awarua Radio story
• 1960s: Unknown voices of Awarua Radio
• 1967: No more train stop at Awarua Radio
• 1967: Fire at Awarua Radio ZLB hostel
• 1967: Awarua photo feature
• 1970: ZLB featured in The Katipo magazine
• 1975: New solid-state Nautel transmitters at ZLB
• 1976: Two Awarua Radio masts to topple
• 1976: Two Awarua Radio masts demolished
• 1976: Two new towers for 500 kHz at Awarua
• 1977: Third Awarua Radio tower to fall
• 1978: New transmitter building for Awarua Radio
• Memories of Ron Lowry and Awarua in the 1970s
• 1984: Awarua ‘airport’
• 1985: Map and plan of Awarua Radio ZLB
• 1985: Plans of housing at Awarua Radio
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• 1988: 75th jubilee plans
• 1988: 75th jubilee event
• 1991: Awarua Radio closes
• Unwin Radar
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• 2014: Awarua centennial
• 2016: Awarua researcher seeks home guard stories
• 2016: New Awarua book
• 2013: Awarua museum supporters at Owaka
• 2015: Museum set to open
• 2015: Museum opens
• 2016: Awarua theatre
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• 1902: Chatham Islands ask for wireless service
• 1913: Chathams wireless station to open in August
• 1913: Davies takes charge at Chatham Islands Radio
• 1913: JL Davies helping to build Chathams station
• 1913: New wireless station opened at Chathams
• 1913: Chatham Islands station performing well
• 1913: Wireless man tells of Chatham Islands life
• 1917: Life at Chatham Islands wireless station
• 1934: Wind power for Chatham Islands Radio
• 1939: Chatham Islands in NZ history
• 1941: Radio station off air while Holmwood attacked
• 1946: First flights to Chatham Islands
• 1956: A radio operator’s life on the Chatham Islands
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 2
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 3
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 4
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 5
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 6
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 7
• Jack Ryan remembers ZLC 1957-1966, part 8
• Remembering Chatham Islands radiotelegraph
• 1988: 75th anniversary of Chatham Islands Radio
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• 2003: When trouble strikes, Taupo Radio is listening
• 2016: Tongan radio op trains at Taupo Radio
• 2016: Taupo Radio antennas damaged by ice
• Wellington Radio Staff
• 1911: Land to be acquired for Tinakori Hills station
• 1911-1912: Tinakori Hill construction
• 1912: Sketch of Tinakori Hill wireless aerial
• 1912: Opening of wireless station on Tinakori Hill
• 1914: Radio site to be named ‘Mt Wakefield’
• 1923: Steel tower erected
• 1926: Steel tower collapses
• 1929: Wellington Radio to get short-wave ability
• 1934: Extension at ZLW receiving station
• 1941: RT service for small ships at ZLW Wellington
• 1945: Access to Tinakori Hill under review
• 1954: Clyde Williams returns to ZLW
• 1958: Clyde Williams returns to ZLW for last time
• 1965: The life of a junior technician at ZLW
• Mt Crawford receiver site
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• 1985: Description of ZLW site and buildings
• 1993: Wellington Radio ZLW closes
• 2011: Centenary of Wellington Radio opening
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• 2017: Former techs visit Wellington Radio ZLW site
• 110th anniversary programme
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• 1951: Himatangi Radio under construction
• 1953: Opening of Himatangi Radio
• 1953: Himatangi sends Queen’s Christmas message to world
• 1968: Wahine storm strikes Himatangi
• The life of a Himatangi technician
• Raoul and Campbell Islands radio circuits
• Survival stories from Himatangi Radio
• 1988: Himatangi house sales stalled
• 1996: Himatangi Radio reunion
• 1945: New radio station at Makara
• 1945: Evening Post feature on Makara Radio
• 1945: Heavy traffic as radiotelephone resumes
• 1945: How two-way radio link is operated
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• Makara Radio 1950-1959
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• 1917: Wireless for lighthouses
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• 1925: Wireless at Puysegur Point Lighthouse
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• Stephens Is Lighthouse
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• 1913: Materials arriving
• 1914: NZ asked to seize Apia wireless station
• 1914: Samoa surrenders
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• 1919: Telefunken news (original German)
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• 1963-1964: Observing the ionosphere from Campbell Island
• Caswell Sound Radio – Part 2
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• 1915: Wireless operator describes life on Macquarie
• 1915: Macquarie Island radio station closed
• 1946: Frank Barlow at Milford Sound Radio
• Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 2
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• Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 4
• Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 5
• Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 6
• Clyde Williams at Milford Sound – Part 7
• 1968: VHF radio testing on the Milford Track
• Milford Sound Aeradio
• New Caledonia
• 1920: New wireless station in Tonga
• Port Moresby Radio
• 1910: Change of location raises cost and questions
• 1911: Pennant Hills official testing
• 1912: Pennant Hills model for Awanui and Awarua
• Pitcairn Island Radio
• Quartz Hill (NZBS)
• Raoul Island: 1939-1949
• 1950: Visiting vessels
• Raoul Island transport
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• Scott Base: 1956-1960
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• Vanda Station (Antarctica)
• Tabuaeran (Fanning Island)
• 1915: Papeete radio opens
• Wellington Dominion Observatory
• Other marine radio stations
• 1995: Final morse signals from Cook Strait ferries
• Abel Tasman VLKT
• Arahanga ZMBN
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• Aratika ZMFL
• Awatea ZMBJ
• Canberra GBVC
• Capitaine Cook III FNBW
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• Coastal Trader ZMSF
• Dominion Monarch GRGG
• ER Sterling
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• 1953-1954: SS Gothic as royal yacht
• Hinakura GVDS
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• Maui Pomare
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• 1941: New Zealand seizes barque Pamir
• Persic GDRZ
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• Fiction: The last Radio Officer
• 1924: Ripple founders
• 1926: Manaia strands
• 1930: Tahiti sinks
• 1934: Barque Favell
• Waikouaiti aground near Bluff [PDF]
• Underwriters abandon stranded Waikouaiti
• Inquiry: Waikouaiti captain’s error of judgment
• 1940: Niagara sunk by German mine
• 1941: Officers and passengers describe attack
• 1941: Inquiry criticises Holmwood captain
• 1941: Rangitane prisoners describe their treatment
• 1941: Captain Upton recalls attack on Rangitane
• 1943: Arahura strands
• 1951: Yacht Race Disaster
• 1954: Hauiti wrecked
• 1959: Holmglen sinks
• 1966: Monte Palomares
• Kaitawa news coverage
• Kaitawa Inquiry
• Kaitawa Inquiry Annex
• Kaitawa memorials
• 1968: Victims of the Wahine disaster
• 1968: Wahine rescue
• 1968: Salvaging Wahine
• 1973: 5th anniversary of Wahine disaster (video)
• 1988: 20th anniversary of Wahine disaster (video)
• 2018: ZM50GW – 50th anniversary of Wahine disaster
• 2018: News reports on the Wahine 50th anniversary
• 2018: ZM50LA – 50th anniversary of Maranui sinking
• News: Seven die in fire at sea on liner SS Gothic
• News: Damaged Gothic heads back to NZ
• News: Mother died on Gothic trying to save family
• Captain and crew sail crippled Gothic back to NZ
• News: Morse signal XXX MAUQ told story of tragedy
• Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 2
• Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 3
• Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 4
• Preliminary Report: Gothic fire, part 5
• Repairs after fire on liner SS Gothic
• SS Gothic: The final chapter
• 1991: Gothic fire, the night Judi will never forget
• 2010: Letter from Charles Glennie about Gothic fire
• 2018: ZM50MAUQ – 50th anniversary of Gothic fire
• 2018: Media coverage of SS Gothic fire anniversary
• 1971: Endeavour II
• 1973: Stina sinks
• 1981: Pacific Charger runs ashore
• Testimony of radio officer Anatoliy Krutkov
• Radio equipment aboard HMNZS Taupo
• Report by radio operator David Hopgood, Arahura
• Radio log from inter-island ferry Arahura
• 1991: Celtic Kiwi (ex Holmdale) sinks
• 2009: Princess Ashika
• Butiraoi a week overdue, NZ asked to search
• NZ Air Force completes first day of ferry search
• NZ Air Force finds seven survivors of Butiraoi
• Australia, USA join search for Butiraoi survivors
• Aerial search for Butiraoi survivors suspended
• Official reports into the sinking of MV Butiraoi
• Radio technician training at Wellington East Post Office
• Radio technician training at Trentham
• Radio technician training at Rugby Street
• 1967: Typical training course information
• 1985 Syllabus for Technicians Cert (Radio)
• Radio Officer training at Wellington Polytechnic
• Radio technician training at Post Office radio stations
• Memories of Post Office radio tech training
• George Askey
• Peter Baird
• FE (Frank) Barlow
• Frank H Bissmire
• JU (Jack) Bonisch
• 1917: LW Bourke leaving Awanui wireless station
• 1921: LW Bourke retires
• Paul D Burke
• Arthur Cheshire
• WRH (Harry) Clarke
• PJ (Joe) Collett
• Patrick J (Pat) Columb
• David J Currie
• 1917: JL Davies moves from Awarua to Awanui
• James B Dolan
• Brian J Donaldson
• JT (Jim) Dudley
• John R Duncan
• EE (Dun) Dunwoodie
• Elvin (Ellie) Ellenden
• LJ (Les) Elliston
• Laurie G Emens
• Fred W Gates
• C Alan Glennie
• Tony Graham
• CN (Chas) Hair
• James H Hampton
• AW (Hec) Head
• JG (Jack) Hogan
• Dennis E Horan
• John Houlihan
• George King
• George W Marston
• H John Milne
• Joseph J Orchiston
• Lester J Price
• Eugene Reinhard
• JF (Jack) Ryan
• L George Scull
• AF (Andy) Smith
• Palmer O Spry
• LH (Les) Steel
• HW (Bill) Walker
• WA (Alec) Wallace
• 1916: RS Wheeler leaving Chatham Islands
• WFC (Frank) Whiteman
• R Clyde Williams
• ALM (Les) Willis
• Roll of Honour
• Audio/Video – Australia
• Audio/Video – Europe
• Audio/Video – Ships
• Audio/Video – General
• Message handling forms
• Morse Code abbreviations
• Morse Code prosigns
• Q Signals for amateur radio
• Signal Reporting
• Radio room clocks and clock faces
• The QSY Rule
• Results – December 2018
• Results – June 2019
• Results – December 2019
• Results – June 2020
• Results – December 2020
• Results – June 2021
• Sources & References

• Introduction
• Pennant Nos
• Exhibit Photos
• Shutter Telegraph
• Portsdown Tunnels
• Old Semaphore Lines
• Semaphore History
• Transmitters
• Receiver Info
• Receiver Matrix
• Radio Callsigns
• Refurbishment
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• HMS Mercury
• Photographs
• Publications
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The Royal Yacht

Written by godfrey dykes, © rn communications branch museum/library,   today, when we talk of the royal yacht we generally think of hmy britannia, however, if one consults wikipedia you will see there have been 84 royal yachts as follows:, mary 1660–1675) royal escape anne 1661–u/k) bezan (1661–u/k) katherine (1661–u/k) charles (1662–u/k) jamie henrietta henrietta merlin* (1666–u/k) monmouth (1666–u/k) navy (1666–u/k) saudadoes (1670–u/k) cleveland (1671–u/k) queenborough (1671–u/k) deale (1673–u/k) isle of wight (1673–u/k) kitchen (1674–u/k) katherine (1674-u/k) portsmouth (1674–u/k) charles (1675–u/k) charlot (1677–u/k) mary (1677–u/k) henrietta (1679–u/k) izabella bezan (1680–u/k) fubbs (1682–u/k) isabella (1680–u/k) william & mary (1694–u/k) squirrel (1695–u/k) scout (1695–u/k) queenborough (1701–u/k) soeesdyke (1702–u/k) portsmouth (1702–u/k) isabella (1703–u/k) drake (1705–u/k) dublin (1709–u/k) bolton (1709–u/k) charlot (1710–u/k) carolina (1710–u/k) chatham (1710–u/k) chatham (1741–u/k) portsmouth (1742–u/k) royal caroline (1749–1820) dorset (1753–u/k) plymouth (1755–u/k) augusta (1771–u/k) portsmouth (1794–u/k) plymouth (1796–u/k) royal sovereign (1804–u/k) william & mary (1807–u/k) royal george (1817–1842) prince regent (1820–u/k) royal charlotte (1824–u/k) royal adelaide (1834–1878) victoria and albert (1843–1855) fairy (1845–1863) elfin (1848–1901) victoria and albert (ii) (1855–1900) alberta (1863–1913) osborne (1870–1908) victoria and albert (iii) (1901–1937) ss ophir (1901) alexandra (1908–1925) rms medina (1911–1912) britannia (royal cutter yacht) (1893–1936) rms empress of britain (1931–1940) rms empress of australia (1939) hms renown (1916) hms vanguard (1947) gothic (1952–1954) britannia (1954–1997) mv hebridean princess 2006 & 2010 this page concentrates on just three of them; the victoria and albert iii, the gothic and of course hmy britannia., victoria and albert iii,   the following is from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:,    hmy victoria and albert iii a royal yacht of the royal navy of the united kingdom. she was launched in 1899 but was not ready for service until 1901. queen victoria had lobbied parliament for many years for a more modern yacht - hmy victoria and albert dated from 1855, and won this expenditure after pointing out that both the russian tsar and the german kaiser both had larger and more modern yachts than great britain. unfortunately she died seven months before the launch. the total cost of the ship was £572,000 (five-sevenths the cost of the battleship hms renown). this is the third yacht to be named 'victoria and albert' and was fitted with steam engines. built at pembroke dock wales and launched in 1899, it measured 380 feet in length by 40 feet in the beam with a tonnage of 4700. the yacht was used regularly up until the world war ii when it was laid up and used as an accommodation ship in portsmouth harbour. the victoria and albert iii was finally sold in 1954 for breaking at faslane, scotland.,   victoria and albert iii served four sovereigns, and took part in two fleet reviews (in 1935 and the coronation review of the fleet, 1937), but was withdrawn after the latter and decommissioned in 1939. she served as a depot ship during world war ii, as an accommodation ship to hms excellent, and was broken up in 1954.,   although there were plans for a new yacht to be built these were suspended due to the outbreak of world war ii. eventually britannia replaced her in 1954.,   an erstwhile fory (flag officer royal yachts - plural, because we used to have more than one in commission at any given time, and now because of mean politicians, not even one) has kindly given my very good friend tugg (p e willson ex rn chief sparker) a couple of interesting naval photographs which are worthy of showing (somewhere) on the internet and tugg has loaned them to me for that purpose.,   this first picture shows the victoria and albert iii in her build-shed at pembroke dock on the 9th may 1899 ready to be launched. if you look carefully you can see her stern and her rudder very clearly and high above it, her white ensign. the general water scene shows two empty boats/barges (obviously ready to be used for an emergency) and two boats (one, to the right as viewed, of the launching shed and one well over to the left of the picture) with security personnel embarked. the royal barge, which has a crew of 16 {14 oarsmen seated on thwarts, a junior officer {a lieutenant) and a first class petty officer behind the backboard aft), and seven passengers sitting in the stern sheets, is under way (modern navy)/under weigh (old navy), with both the ensign and the bow flag duly affected. the oarsmen are at rest with their oars out resting on the rowlocks. the senior male person present in the barge was hrh the prince arthur, duke of connaught (1850-1942), the 7th child of queen victoria and 3rd son, and known to be her favourite son. he had two elder brothers, the eldest hrh prince albert victor (known as prince eddy) {after whom the albert memorial chapel at windsor is named) the duke of clarence, would have been king albert after king edward vii, but he died in 1892 (seven years before this event), was, according to olivia bond in her book "the royal way of death" {isbn 0094654301), a frequent companion of male prostitutes and a regular visitor to male brothels. believe it or not, this man {) was engaged to the lovely princess may, who eventually married the duke of connaught's next eldest brother hrh prince george, a profoundly different and thoroughly decent man. prince george and princess may later became king george v and queen mary (of teck), but before being so, they were their royal highness's the the duke and duchess of york - exactly the same happened to the next duke and duchess of york when king edward viii abdicated - they became king george vi and queen elizabeth. she, hrh princess may duchess of york, as the wife of a prince (george) senior to prince arthur, was the senior person present in the barge, and was therefore said to be accompanied by the duke of connaught. like all launchings, she, as a lady, would do the necessary, not by breaking a bottle, but by cutting a rope as told in the files below - note at this time in our history queen victoria was still alive so the duchess and her husband were technically some way away from becoming the king and queen after hm king edward vii and queen alexandra had had their turn. why wasn't hrh the duchess of connaught (1860-1917) present with her husband, or for that matter, the duke of york with his wife history doesn't tell us why, but the d of c was a very popular royal (and beautiful with it - a diana of her day) and one assumes she was busy fulfilling the requirements of her own diary. other dignitaries were present in the barge (five in total) but they are not important for our purposes. however, it would have been nice to have known the name of the fory at that time or any of the dignitaries who were members of the crew of the new yacht. if you know the answer please let me know and i will add the details here. thank you.,   her international radio callsign was gfur. the flag flying forward, is a standard and the personal standard of trh (their royal highnesses) the duke and duchess of york the light and angle of the personal standard is such that only the top white horizontal bar shows correctly, but it was a bright, vibrant and multi coloured standard which i have researched and shown here. to help you to understand more fully and thus to enjoy the story, the following pdf file shows you the personal standard in its true colours and the zooming tool of the file will allow you to zoom in on the barge and its forward flag. you will be able to make out the top white horizontal stripe (known as the white label) with its three points or pendants (white boxes below evenly spaced, some bearing motifs whilst others are left blank) which denote children of the sovereign* ; in the middle a row of 'dots' which trace an arc from bottom right to top left through the central heraldic shield and the horizontal bars of the shield itself can be seen, and in the bottom left quadrant, the vague outline of the harp.,   this picture is just a nice to have (or nice to see) historic naval photograph. it is not part of my story, except that it is very royal and as such of great interest. first note the coxswain behind the backboard aft of the stern sheets and compare him with the coxswain in the picture above. one is in square-rig and one in fore and aft rig. the four known passengers in the stern sheets are their majesties king george v and queen mary with their children edward, the next in line to the throne as king edward viii, and the princess mary the princess royal, either approaching or shoving off from terra firma or a ship's side. the period is believed to be about 1911 shortly after his father's (king edward vii) death when edward would have been 17 (and dressed as a midshipman) and mary would have been 14. the tossing of oars is not what one might expect from yachties (royal yachtsmen). the stroke (first oarsmen) have it right, with upright oars and both men are using their outboard hands to hold their oars; the next pair have skew-whiff oars but their hands are correctly applied, but the third pair have both skew-whiff oars and the port side man is hold his oar with his inboard hand - tut tut the rating holding the boat hook is either a 1st class petty officer (cross hooks and a crown above them) or a 2nd class petty officer (single killick with a crown above) but it is difficult to ascertain from his stance..

  The title is 'A ROYAL YACHTSMAN' by Danny Brown © first published in 1999 in Cape Town South Africa as a limited edition ISBN 0 620 23999 9. Sadly, once back in St Helena and having settled in, Danny passed away. Here are just a few of Danny's collection of photographs taken during his time on HMY Britannia. (Click on an image to enlarge it and reveal the caption.)

  Britannia secured alongside - not sure where but the flags aloft at the very tops of the three masts tell a tale and being dressed over all suggests a very important occasions. Those mast head flags forard to aft are the admiral commanding flag of A REAR ADMIRAL (FORY) - pass on the middle - and the White Ensign aft. The flags tell one just who is onboard, and it is my understanding, subject to correction, that the three flags we see here are part and parcel of the dress ship when it would seem strange with just an overall string of bunting strung over the mast leaving the very tops as bare wooden stalks. It is possible that the centre flag on the man mast is a royal personages standard for I think I spy a harp and some prostrate animals. When the yacht has the monarch aboard the flags flying are on foremast Lord High Admirals Flag; main mast the Royal Standard and on the mizzen a Union Flag. The rear admirals flag is flown on the foremast when royalty are not embarked but in this case it has been shifted higher up the foremast just to clear the dress ship line forard. There again because a White Ensign is flying where normally a Union flag flies and with the rear admirals flag forard the mainmast flag, a standard of sorts, it could just mean that it is the monarchs vessel with the current highest rank on board the commanding officer of the vessel (FORY) no more than that.

  her majesty's very first use of hmy britannia was on the 2nd may 1954 when she reviewed the mediterranean fleet under the command of admiral lord louis mountbatten of burma, having left the shaw saville liner gothic at aden. her majesty, with the duke of edinburgh embarked in britannia at tobruk having flown from raf khormaksar. the royal yacht had travelled from the uk to malta on completion of trials, with a nursery supporting prince charles (6) and princess anne (4) arriving malta on the 22nd april 1954. therefore, both children used the yacht before their parents. britannia sailed from tobruk back to malta being met approximately 200 miles off malta by the fleet, at which time admiral mountbatten, flying his flag in the cruiser hms glasgow, transferred to the royal yacht.,   the picture below shows the yacht arriving in grand harbour without her royal presence (no flags on the masts) and with a gathering of interest on the flight deck of hms ark royal where, given that the commanding officer of the yacht was a rear admiral, the pipe (or was it a bugle call ) "attention on the upper deck - face to port" would have been made/sounded. the yacht is escorted by lcvp's (landing craft vehicle and personnel)., queen’s request for new royal yacht britannia removed from public scrutiny., copyright the times red box 30th january 2019 including picture and text, unless otherwise stated differently.,   on the decommissioning of the britannia, hm the queen’s requested for a new royal yacht britannia. this request has subsequently been removed from public scrutiny. the following is copyright of the times red box 30th january 2019 including pictures and text, unless otherwise stated., the royal yacht britannia was decommissioned in 1997 after the labour government took office.,   a confidential government file that disclosed how the queen lobbied for a new royal yacht has become a state secret once more.,   the times revealed a month ago that a senior buckingham palace official wrote to the cabinet office in 1995 saying that the queen would “very much welcome” a replacement for the royal yacht britannia, due to be decommissioned. the report was based on a welsh office document that had been released into the national archives, where it was found by philip murphy.,   the file has now been removed from public view. a note in the catalogue says: “this record is closed whilst access is under review.”,   although government papers are usually made available after a number of years — it was formerly 30 but is being changed to 20 — files relating to the royal family are usually kept secret.,   the welsh office file’s disappearance was noted by david mcclure, who is researching a book on royal finances. when mr mcclure first requested the file this month he was told: “unfortunately the document you have requested is currently in use so we are unable to make it available for your visit.”,   when he submitted another request two weeks later he discovered it was closed. an official told him that she had forwarded his request to the national archives’ freedom of information team.,   mr mcclure said: “they are retrospectively pulling it back. it is symptomatic of an overzealous, overprotective attitude towards royal documents. it is a deferential cringe.”,   the file included a letter from the queen’s deputy private secretary, sir kenneth scott, who said that the queen would “very much welcome” a new yacht. he added: “the last thing i should like to see is a newspaper headline saying ‘queen demands new yacht’.” although john major’s government said that it would replace britannia, when labour won power in 1997 tony blair decided not to. britannia was decommissioned that year.,   professor murphy, director of the institute of commonwealth studies, who discovered the document in october, believes that it was overlooked because it was in a relatively “boring” welsh office file. he said: “it looks as if the palace has asked the government why this document was in the public domain, and the government has clawed it back.”,   however, sources have said that it was the cabinet office — not the palace — that asked for it to be reviewed.,   professor murphy said there had been past cases of the government reviewing documents that have been in the public domain. “they have demanded them back, and then redacted them further or retained them, because they had not realised that sensitive stuff was out there,” he said. “there is an absolute ban on material relating to the monarch and the heir to the throne. the vetters are always sensitive about any document that appears to show the queen’s view on something.”,   he said that it was in the public interest to understand how the constitutional monarchy works. “if you say that any document which records a personal opinion by the queen should be censored, you are robbing the public of the ability to learn anything about the constitutional history of britain over the last 65 years.”,   it remains unclear whether the file has been retained permanently or merely until a decision is made.,   my thanks to the red box team of which i am a subscriber,   if you have a navy list to hand open it and type in the name donald gosling . from the title above you might be a little taken aback to find that that name returns an honorary vice admiral rnr promoted from an honorary rear admiral.,     donald (sir donald) gosling     retired before 1966: no     rank history     honorary vice admiral rnr 2|4|2012     honorary rear admiral royal naval reserve 2|4|2012 (the date shown for the rear admiral is wrong and it should be 2nd march 2009.     decorations and post nominals kcvo     rn branch arm or group (2007 style)     branch and specialisation (pre 2007 style),   it would also show you his decoration of a kcvo which would tell you that he was high up on the list for his personal services to the royal family and this knighthood was granted to him and bestowed upon him by her majesty queen elizabeth ii. the letters stand for knight commander of the victorian order which like all decorations and the medal associated with that order (rvm, mvo, lvo, cvo, kcvo, gcvo are personal gifts to the recipients and come directly from buckingham palace and the monarch and not from 10 downing street. he was also created a knight of st john.,   sir donald died on the 16th september 2019 at the grand old age of 90 and his memorial service was held in westminster abbey attended by senior members of the royal family.,   he joined the rnr in london in 1944 and became a telegraphist serving in the cruiser hms leander in the mediterranean, being discharged in early 1947. although a short time in the service he never forgot that experience and remained an active member of rnr attending training meetings in hms president keeping a keen interest in wireless telegraphy, and his service in the rnr to the end of his life.,   to say the least his future as a civilian post war wasn't at all sure and just to make a living, he and a friend invested £200 to buy a bombed site, one of several in the holborn area of london which they cleared and opened as a car park. although they did not know it was the start of what became the ncp - national car parks - empire and both men became mega rich by the time they retired, sir donald was still with the business as late as 1998. the ncp grew rapidly first because of the amount of motor cars flooding into london and other large cities from the 1960's, but from the stock market appreciations and from a concentrated m&a (mergers and acquisitions) taking over all other competitors in all parts of the land offering that service business.,   my good friend fcrs jim bradley from malta days in the late 1950's left the rn and took a job working for ncp. knowing jim, a bright spark and an affable man he progressed well in the company and reached a senior position. there can be no doubt that he and donald gosling got on very well together both being naval telegraphists. at membership no 16, he was one of the first to join the rncca and i see he is still listed, and today he will be around the age of 84/5.,   donald gosling was a shrewd man, and generous to a fault and spent his wealth wisely on projects which interested him from experience. he was for example a kind of a second herbert lott, quietly and privately giving huge amounts to various naval charities, funds and associated maritime charities like the kgfs (king george fund for sailors). he also gifted the sea cadet corps and never forgot the wrns known to him for their fantastic operational excellence particularly in the communication branch during the war. whenever he learned of personal royal endeavours like for example the duke of edinburgh's award scheme and later on the princes trust he was first in with funds to keep them financially buoyant. whatever he considered meritorious and british he was there with his cheque book. in 2012 he pledged a huge amount of money of many tens of millions to help save hms victory.,   that sheer generosity went on for a long time until it was suggested that he should be recognised, by whom i knoweth not. this manifested in promotions within naval circles instead of civic honours like mbe's and obe's inter alia and in january 1993 after he had given away scores of millions of pounds he was granted an honorary rank of captain rnr. in may 2005 that became an honorary commodore then march 2009 an honorary rear and vice admiral rnr in 2012. for his generosity to the royal family direct he received the high order of the kcvo, second only to a gcvo from the queen herself. he not only gave generously but loaned his famous huge yacht plus its entire crew (the size of a small frigate and called after the cruiser he served in as a telegraphist in ww2 "leander g" ) to deserving cases, but also cared deeply for his wartime branch of the armed forces. he became a trustee of the fleet air arm museum at yeovilton in 1974 and vice-president of seafarers uk in 1993. he also had a long association with the white ensign association, serving as chairman from 1979 to 1983, vice president from 1983 to 1987 and then as president on the council of management. he received an honorary degree of doctor of maritime studies from southampton university.,   his final gesture was to offset the apparent mean ways of parliament, where both labour and tory had denied the wishes of the queen for a britannia replacement (labour by taking the yacht from the royals in the first place and the tories, following on from the defeated socialist government, refusing to fund a replacement), by leaving in his will £50 million for a newly built vessel. it did not occur because the government refused to pay its running costs, maintenance, refits and the crews wages. i can only guess at where that £50 million gbp went but i'll wager it went to good causes in memory of a thoroughly good man and naval officer.,   a photograph of sir donald with the queen and prince philip with a lovely smiling face giving sir donald a gift of his rear admiral's flag - a st george's flag with a red ball in the upper canton and a second red ball beneath in the 3rd quarter., prince charles and the countess of cornwall at the memorial service, westminster abbey for sir donald., sir donald gave a huge sum of money to help save hms victory and here he is seen signing the visitors book in nelson's cabin aboard the famous ship.,   and that my friends is a sad story, but is it, for it goes to show that sometimes, money certainly isn't the root of all evil, indeed any, farewell sir donald and may you r.i.p.,   and the last word(s) in this story go to the hrh the duke of edinburgh., taken from the scotsman newspaper., duke's britannia broadside for the snp., published 26/01/2003 00:00,   the duke of edinburgh is a formidable foe on dry land, but to engage him at sea is suicidal.,   the duke, a former naval officer, has fired a broadside at one of scotland’s leading nationalist politicians after he questioned his decision to strip the royal yacht britannia of most of its fixtures and fittings.,   mike russell, the snp’s culture spokesman, recently wrote to prince philip asking where the items were and demanding their return to the yacht, which has become one of scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.,   the duke has now replied, splintering the decks of the good ship russell with the verbal equivalent of grapeshot. in a letter from the duke's private secretary, he bluntly insists everything is accounted for and is staying put.,   however, he has admitted that some of the artefacts have been divided among various royal palaces or loaned to "other institutions" and not kept together as one collection.,   prince philip stripped most of the showpiece dining room furniture and paintings from the yacht before it became a floating tourist attraction in leith four years ago.,   he refused to let the ship’s new owners keep the items, saying he wanted to turn part of the royals’ country retreat at frogmore house, near windsor, into a britannia room.,   in a letter sent last thursday, the duke says everything on board britannia was inventoried by the royal collection trust and that frogmore house "does contain a very good selection" of the dining room furniture, many of the principal pictures and other objects.,   "other items are held elsewhere in the royal palaces and some items are on loan to other institutions where they are on display to the public," wrote brigadier miles hunt-davies, the duke’s private secretary.,   he added: "in reply to the implication in your (russell’s) letter that the public should know that items are still in the possession of the royal family, i am able to assure you that as all the items are either privately owned by the royal family or are part of the royal collection trust, they are all recorded on a database.,   "it was quite clear that in order to accommodate the visitor route (on britannia) there would be quite substantial physical alterations and therefore the number of rooms to be shown to the public, in reality, would be quite small.,   "this also meant that there would be limited space for the display of furniture, pictures and other objects.",   the letter concludes: "the former royal yacht britannia trust made a number of requests for items, most of which were met, with the final list of items being personally approved by the queen and the duke of edinburgh.",   russell said last night the letter confirmed suspicions that the items taken from britannia were no longer in one collection and were now dispersed in various locations.,   he said: "i am disappointed that the original commitment has not been met to keep this collection as a whole. they should be publicly available in a place where the vast majority of scots can see them.",   the dining room was the showpiece area of britannia where guests were entertained at lavish banquets.,   among the items kept by the duke were the specially-made mahogany and ebony-edged dining table - with an add-on 6ft leaf - which can seat 32.,   also taken was the main sideboard with two large silver gilt vases known as nelson and collingwood, presented by the national patriotic fund to vice admiral lord collingwood and nelson’s widow after the battle of trafalgar in 1805.,   a spokeswoman for the royal collection confirmed that many of the items were now dispersed over several royal households.,   she said: "ornamental objects have indeed been redisplayed in frogmore house, which is open to the public during the summer months.,   "useful objects - china, glasses, armchairs etc - have been put into use in the residences. nothing has been thrown away.",   more than 1,000 of britannia’s items were released to the trust which now runs the attraction, but it has refused to be drawn into the row.,   britannia arrived in leith in may 1998 after the then defence secretary, george robertson, announced that forth ports had won the bid to berth the yacht. the purchase price was just £250,000 - the equivalent to her scrap value. she now attracts 300,000 visitors a year, with adults paying £8..

Queen Elizabeth's Royal Yacht GOTHIC in Sydney Harbour

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INDIAN OCEAN. 1954-04-03. AERIAL VIEW OF THE ROYAL YACHT GOTHIC ON PASSAGE FROM FREMANTLE TO ...

INDIAN OCEAN. 1954-04-03. AERIAL VIEW OF THE ROYAL YACHT GOTHIC ON PASSAGE FROM FREMANTLE TO COCOS ISLAND. SHE IS BEING ESCORTED BY THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER HMAS VENGEANCE (FOREGROUND) FLYING THE FLAG OF REAR ADMIRAL R. R. DOWLING CBE DSO, FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET. THE DESTROYERS ARE HMAS ANZAC, (NEARER) AND BATAAN. FURTHEST FROM THE CAMERA IS THE CRUISER HMS CEYLON. (NAVAL HISTORICAL COLLECTION)

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• Period 1950-1959
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SS Gothic the royal yacht viewed from the stern, Australia, 1954 / Ellestan Joyce Dusting

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Dusting, Ellestan Joyce & Waller, Mervyn Napier. (). SS Gothic the royal yacht viewed from the stern, Australia, 1954 Retrieved September 1, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-561676892

Dusting, Ellestan Joyce and Waller, Mervyn Napier. SS Gothic the royal yacht viewed from the stern, Australia, 1954 : , . Web. 1 September 2024 < http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-561676892 >

Dusting, Ellestan Joyce & Waller, Mervyn Napier. , SS Gothic the royal yacht viewed from the stern, Australia, 1954 , viewed 1 September 2024 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-561676892

{{Citation   | author1=Dusting, Ellestan Joyce.   | author2=Waller, Mervyn Napier.   | title= SS Gothic the royal yacht viewed from the stern, Australia, 1954   | year=   | section=1 slide : colour ; 35 mm   | series=Ellestan Dusting collection, 1952-1961.   | publisher=   | url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-561676892   | id= nla.obj-561676892   | access-date=1 September 2024   | via=Trove }}

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Starting Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF)

Tomatoes have exceptional nutritional value. They are acclaimed for being beneficial to heart, eye, digestive, and skin health. Tomato farming is one of the most profitable agriculture business ideas. Tomatoes are widely consumed – they can be consumed in diverse ways including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes and sauces and also in drinks. Tomatoes are also used by food processors. Processing of tomatoes consists of canning, freezing, dehydration and juice production. Tomatoes are processed into tomato sauce, whole pealed, tomato and onion bruises, paste, shredded, puree and paste concentrate. This article will outline how to start the tomato farming business, and the tomato farming business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

Tomato farming is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential decisions you need make before you venture into the tomato farming business. You have to make a decision on how many hectares you want to farm, which type of tomatoes you will farm, which season you are going to plant your tomatoes, and your target market. These choices will be affected by the amount of capital you have, and your target market needs.  If you do not have a lot of capital, you can always start small and grow your tomato farming business overtime. You also need to carry out market research (Who are you going to sell the tomatoes to? At what price?) and write a tomato business plan before you venture into the business.

Land for Tomato Farming Business

Good tomato production starts with good land selection. The soil type has a huge bearing on the quality and taste of tomatoes you produce. Tomatoes can grow on a wide array of soil textures depending on the variety of the tomato, from light, sandy soils to heavy, clay soils. Sand soils are the most ideal for quick and early maturation tomato varieties.  Tomatoes thrive best in loamy soil with is rich in organic material. In not, incorporate compost or animal waste into the soil. The soil should have good drainage. The optimum pH lies between 5.0 and 7.0. If that is not so, add sulphur (if above upper limit) or lime (if below lower limit). The soil for tomato farming must permit adequate root growth to support the plant and supply water, oxygen and mineral nutrients and must be free of toxic elements.  It is important that before you start farming tomatoes on your farm, you check whether the soil is suitable for tomato farming. Your tomato production business plan should take into account the cost of purchasing or leasing the land.

Space And Sunlight Exposure

When doing open field tomato farming you must take note of sunlight exposure. Your chosen land must allow for uninterrupted sunlight exposure for at least 8 hours daily. The actual land space you need will be informed by the number of tomato plants. Following recommended spacing is important for the tomato to grow optimally. There must be adequate inter-row and in-row spacing to optimize aeration, sunlight exposure, and curb possible disease outbreaks.

Machinery and Equipment

Machinery and equipment which are required for your tomato farming business will depend on the scale of your operations. Machinery and equipment needed include tractors, harvesters, boom sprayers, fertilizer spreader equipment, irrigation equipment, spray equipment, diggers,  scales, ridgers, bins etc. Most farmers usually hire big machinery like tractors when they want to use them, rather than purchasing them as they are expensive. There may also be need of grid hydroelectricity energy for the irrigation systems, standby diesel generators for use during power outages, or solar powered irrigation systems. Farmers especially in the rural areas who do not have the modern farming equipment use animal drawn equipment in tomato farming. The higher the level of mechanization at your tomato farm, the higher the efficiency of your operations, and the profitability of your tomato farming business. The tomato farming business plan should include the costs of acquiring and hiring the various machinery and equipment. 

Tomato Seeds/Seedlings

The tomato farming can be started using tomato seeds or seedlings. Tomato varieties can be classified into 3 broad categories which are determinate, semi-determinate and inter-determinate tomatoes. Your choice of which tomato variety to use will depend on variety of factors: time to maturity, yield, availability of seeds, target market preference, season, fruit quality adaptability, disease resistance among other factors. It is important that you purchase your tomato seeds from certified tomato seed suppliers.  If you opt for seedlings, then source them from reputable nurseries. The costs of purchasing tomato seeds or seedlings should be accounted for in your commercial tomato farming business plan. If you buy poor quality tomato seeds, your tomatoes will not grow to their full potential and you will have poor yields. Tomatoes can be propagated from seeds or seedlings. In choosing tomato varieties you must understand the core classifications. Aside the classifications below, there are hybrid and heirloom tomato varieties. These usually have superior qualities such as disease resistance, high yields, firmness, long shelf life, and big fruit size.

There three broad tomato types namely, determinate, semi-determinate and indeterminate.  Determinate tomatoes are typically bush-like and produce one large harvest of tomatoes and then stop. Indeterminate tomatoes are vine-like and continuously produce tomatoes as long as conditions allow.  Semi-determinate tomatoes are in between those 2 characteristics.

Time To Mature

In tomato farming, there are 3 classifications that take maturation period into account. There is early season, mid-season and late season tomatoes. Early season tomatoes take at most 60 days to reach maturity. Mid-season tomatoes mature in between 60 and 80 days. Late season tomatoes need more than 80 days to reach maturity.

Fruit Size Or Type

The colour or taste of tomatoes also constitutes another classification in tomato farming. For example, there are cherry, plum, round, and beefsteak tomatoes, amongst others. This classification is particularly important when factoring in the intended use of the tomatoes when harvested.

Tomato Farming Inputs

You require various farming inputs when doing tomato farming.  Fertilizers are required to support the efficient growth of your tomatoes, by providing all the nutrients needed by tomatoes to grow to their full potential. Essential nutrients needed for the growth of tomatoes include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Organic matter is also important in tomato farming. This can be in the form of compost, decayed leaves, animal manure etc. Organic matter is a good source of plant nutrients. Organic matter also increases the capacity of the soil to retain water and nutrients. It’s a soil conditioner.

Other farming inputs required for tomato farming business include herbicides, for effective weed control at your farm. Pesticides and fungicides are required for protecting your tomato plants against insects and fungi. Trellising and training of tomatoes is very important to some tomato cultivars and varieties. This involves supporting the tomato plants on poles and wires  or specialised trellising material. The benefits of training tomatoes include improved spraying to control diseases and pests, better air circulation around the plant and less fruit rotting. The costs of acquiring all these inputs should be included in your tomato farming business plan.

Pest And Disease Management

Some of the common pests in tomato farming are aphids, nematodes, cutworms, and whiteflies. Common diseases that can affect tomatoes are moulds, blights (early or late), and fusarium wilt. Prevention or protection of tomatoes from these can be achieved through integrated approaches. Almost all of them have a dual effect in that they address both pest and disease issues.

Keeping Tomatoes Safe From Pests And Diseases

It all starts with seeing to it that your tomatoes get all they need. These are things such as healthy soil and adequate water. In watering avoid scenarios where leaves get muddied. Drip irrigation is most ideal when farming tomatoes. You must also practice hygiene e.g. cleaning farming implements or machinery after every use. Always remove weeds and dispose them rather than leaving them lying next to the tomatoes. By all means ensure there is no water logging or general wetness – this promotes pests and diseases. As a rule of thumb, practise crop rotation to stop or disrupt pest life cycles.

Harvesting And Storage Of Tomatoes

You can start harvesting tomatoes roughly 60 to 90 days from when you planted the seedlings. This is not cast in stone; remember there are 3 different maturation times (early, mid and late). Determinate tomatoes tend to ripen almost at once – within about 14 days. Indeterminate tomatoes ripen successively over an extended period of time. When you are harvesting tomatoes, ensure that you do not inflict physical damage on them. Physical damage compromises their quality, make them susceptible to pests and diseases, and reduces their shelf live.

Often time the colour of the tomatoes is what guides on when to pick. For instance, some tomato fruits might have fully or partially turned red. The leaves or stem yellowing or drying are also indicators of readiness to harvest. You can also check the fruit skin – you must harvest whilst it still has a rich, smooth, wax-like texture. Ripe tomatoes will tend to be easy to remove by gently twisting off from the vine.

Before storage the tomatoes must be washed, cleaned, sorted, and graded. For long term storage you can freeze, can, or dry your tomatoes. Generally, tomatoes can be stored at room temperature. If it is outside the place must be away from direct sunlight. When it comes to cold storage there are things to consider. Temperatures below 13ºC are not idea for tomato storage. Tomatoes that have ripened partially must not be refrigerated. Refrigerating tomatoes that have ripened tends to compromise their taste.

Farm Workers

When doing tomato farming business, you will need to hire part time farm workers as and when necessary. The duties which they will do include planting tomato seeds, transplanting tomato seedlings; applying fertilizers; trellising tomatoes, ploughing; harvesting, herbiciding and pesticiding. The part time farm workers will be paid according to the number of days worked.  You also require supervisors, farm manager, finance & accounting staff, and logistics staff depending on the scale of your tomato farming business. The wages and salaries of your workers should be included in your tomato farming business plan.

Capital for Tomato Farming Business

The amount of capital required for tomato farming business depends on the scale of the project. You can get a loan from the bank, or funding from investors, to use as capital to start your tomato farming business. If you plan to raise capital from investors and a loan from the bank, you need a good tomato farming business plan. If you don’t have access to investors and bank loan, you can use your personal savings and start small, and grow your business overtime. Tomato farming is very profitable, so if you reinvest the profits you get, you can quickly grow. Even if you are not planning to get a loan, you should still get a tomato farming business plan to guide you in starting and operating the business. It is essential for you to have a tomato farming business plan before you venture into the tomato farming business, so that you know all the costs involved and you make an informed decision.

The market for tomatoes is very huge and is ever increasing. The annual global demand of tomatoes is more than 180 million tonnes. That’s a lot! You can supply your tomatoes to individual households, schools, restaurants, food processors, hotels, companies, supermarkets, organizations, events etc. The tomato business plan ought to include a proper marketing plan to use in your tomato farming business.

Advantages Of Tomato Farming Business

Tomato farming is usually a high yields and wide profit margins business venture. Tomatoes are nutrient-rich and have numerous household and commercial uses. This is why there is an inexhaustible market for tomatoes. There are also vast opportunities in the export markets for tomatoes; offering higher profitability. There are limitless value addition options when it comes to tomatoes. Tomatoes generally mature fast which makes the turnaround time relatively short. Tomatoes can be propagated either indoors or outdoors. This makes it possible for almost anyone and anywhere to do tomato farming.

If you are looking to start a lucrative vegetable farming business, seriously consider a tomato farming business. Engage agronomists to find out the latest on the best tomato varieties to grow. It is important that you also do a thorough market research and have a good tomato farming business plan. The timing of your tomato farming must be such that when the tomatoes mature they have customers waiting for them. Post-harvest losses in tomato farming are common so be wary of that.

Pre-Written Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the tomato farming business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive tomato farming business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the tomato production business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the tomato farming business, how to farm the tomatoes, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global tomato farming business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your tomato farming business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the tomato business.

Uses of the Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The tomato business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your tomato farming business
• As a tomato farming business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the tomato farming business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Tomato Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The tomato farming business plan include, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)

Risk Analysis

• Industry Analysis

Market Analysis

• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements (Including technical aspects of how to farm the tomatoes, fertilizer requirements etc)
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in tomato farming business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your tomato farming business

The Pre-written tomato farming business plan package consist of 4 files

• Tomato Farming Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 84 Pages)
• Tomato Farming Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 84 Pages)
• Tomato Farming Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 39 pages)
• Tomato Farming Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the number of hectares, selling price of  the tomatoes etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change.

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF)

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Get the Tomato Farming Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your tomato farming business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Tomato Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Agriculture Sector

Do you want to start a tomato farm and need to write a plan? If YES, here is a sample tomato farming business plan template & FREE feasibility report.

Interestingly, tomato is a universal vegetable or fruit because it is grown and eaten around the world. It is used in diverse ways, including raw in salads or incorporated into a variety of dishes, or processed into ketchup or tomato soup. Unripe green tomatoes can also be breaded and fried, used to make salsa, or pickled.

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Tomato juice is sold as a drink, and is used in cocktails such as the Bloody Mary. It is important to state that starting a tomato farming business comes with its own fair share of challenges, but that does not rule out the fact that it is indeed a profitable business venture. An aspiring entrepreneur can either choose to start on a small or large scale depending on their financial status.

A Sample Tomato Farming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Tomato farming is a niche idea in the Hydroponics and Vegetable farming industry and operators in this industry grow a wide variety of vegetables in open fields and in greenhouses. But in actual sense, when it comes to commercial cultivation of tomatoes, hydroponic technique is often used in hostile growing environments, as well as high-density plantings.

A tomato is 95 percent water, contains 4 percent carbohydrates and less than 1 percent each of fat and protein. In a 100 gram amount, raw tomatoes supply 18 calories and are a moderate source of vitamin C (17 percent of the Daily Value), but otherwise are absent of significant nutrient content.

According to statistics published by Wikipedia, in 2016, world production of tomatoes was 177 million tonnes, with China accounting for 32 percent of the total, followed by the European Union, India, the united states, and Turkey as the major producers. Global tomato exports were valued at 85 billion US dollars in 2016.

Tomatoes are easy to preserve whole, in pieces, as tomato sauce or paste by home canning. They are acidic enough to process in a water bath rather than a pressure cooker as most vegetables require. The fruit is also preserved by drying, often in the sun, and sold either in bags or in jars with oil.

If you are a close observer of the vegetable farming industry, you will agree that the industry is anticipated to increase due to increasing consumer health consciousness, which has led to increasing demand for fresh produce. While per capita fruit and vegetable consumption has remained stable over in recent time, the price of vegetables have increased as consumers demand premium, fresh vegetables.

So also, the number of both small and large farms have been increasing. Small, local farms are benefiting from the organic, local movement, while large, commercial farms are improving labor efficiency. Going forward, players in the vegetable farming industry will continue to increase revenue generation for their business.

The companies that have the lion share of the market in this industry are NatureSweet Ltd., Houweling’s Tomatoes and Village Farms International Inc. but smaller tomato farms can successfully make profits in the industry.

Statistics has it that in the united states of America alone, there are about 44,900 registered and licensed vegetable farms (tomato farms inclusive) responsible for employing about 132,048 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $20 billion annually. The industry was projected to enjoy -0.7 percent annual growth between 2014 and 2019.

A recent report published by IBISWorld shows that over the five years to 2019, revenue for the Hydroponic Crop Farming industry has mostly decreased. During the five-year period, while overall vegetable prices have increased, industry revenue has been limited by years with significant drops in vegetable prices.

However, extreme weather conditions damaged many crops for fresh field farmers, so grocery stores and farmers’ markets quickly turned to hydroponic farmers to meet their demand.

In particular, drought throughout many parts of the United States over the past five years harmed agricultural industries across the board, presenting an opportunity for hydroponic crop farmers. Over the five years to 2019, industry revenue is expected to decrease at an annualized rate of 0.9 percent to $830.8 million.

As a matter of fact, with the recent advancement in technology, farmers can now comfortably grow varieties of vegetables in a country where such crops can hardly survive and in places where there are few farming land, people can make use of the rooftop (basement) of their houses to cultivate vegetables even for commercial purposes.

One thing is certain when it comes to tomato or vegetable farming in general, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies before choosing a location for cultivating your tomato, you are more likely not going to struggle to grow the business and also to sell your tomatoes because there are always food processing companies and consumers out there who are ready to buy from you.

2. Executive Summary

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a registered and licensed commercial vegetable farm with bias in tomato cultivation that will be based in the outskirt of San Antonio, Texas – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure 25 hectares of land to start our tomato farm.

We will always leverage on both field and greenhouse farming to cultivate tomatoes in commercial quantities hence we will construct a structure with walls and roof made essentially of transparent material in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.

At Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC we will be involved in the cultivation of different species of tomatoes such Beefsteak tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, Campari tomatoes, Pear tomatoes and Oxheart tomatoes et al both in organic and non – organic forms.

We are in the tomato farming business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the agriculture industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading tomato farms in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and machines to run the business with. We have put processes and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to tomato farming and packaging as required by the regulating bodies in the United States of America.

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a private registered commercial vegetable farm that is owned by Philip Clinton and his immediate family members. The company will be fully and single handedly managed by the owner – Philip Clinton and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.

3. Our Products and Services

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a commercial vegetable farm that will be involved in cultivating different species of tomatoes via greenhouse and land farming for both the United States’ market and the global market. We are in business to produce tomatoes in commercial quantities.

We will also ensure that we operate a standard tomatoes processing and packaging plant as part of our complimentary business. We will be involved in the;

• Cultivation of different species of tomatoes such as; Beefsteak tomatoes, Plum tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes, Grape tomatoes, Campari tomatoes, Pear tomatoes and Oxheart tomatoes et al both in organic and non – organic forms
• Processing and packaging tomatoes

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become one of the number one tomato cultivator and exporter not just in Texas, but also in the United States of America.
• Our mission statement as a commercial tomato farming business is to go into full – time cultivation of tomatoes that will not only be consumed in the United States of America, but also exported to other parts of the world.
• We want our well – processed and packaged tomatoes to flood the nooks and crannies of the United States.

Our Business Structure

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is a commercial tomato farm that intends starting small in San Antonio – Texas, but hopes to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading commercial tomato farms in the in the United States. We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the kind of world class business we want to own.

At Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, dedicated, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the management of the farm. In view of the above, Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer

General Farm Manager

Administrator/Accountant

• Field Workers
• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
• Supervise field workers
• Ensure compliance during project executions (especially in the construction of greenhouse and hothouse et al)
• Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all sections
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of crops
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of farm produce after harvest
• Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders’ meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and chemicals et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied.
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily farming activities across the various farming sections.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company
• Responsible for planting and harvesting tomatoes as required by the manager or supervisor
• Responsible for weeding in and around the tomato farm
• Responsible for watering and applying manure (organic fertilizer) or inorganic fertilizer as instructed
• Assist in loading tomatoes meant for deliveries
• Work closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and objectives

6. SWOT Analysis

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis. We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard commercial tomato farm that will favorably compete in the United States of America.

We are quite aware that there are several tomato farms all over San Antonio – Texas and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be equipped to confront our threats.

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in the commercial farming industry to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Hankins Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC;

Our strength as a tomato farming company is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players in the agriculture industry both within and outside of the United States.

We have some of the latest farm tools and equipment that will help us cultivate tomatoes in commercial quantities with less stress. Aside from our relationship and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in the business under our payroll.

Our weakness could be that for now we lack economies of scale and we don’t have our own tomato processing plant (we hope to build one within the first 12 months of operation). We have been able to put up structures that will help us overcome this initial setback within the shortest time frame.

• Opportunities:

An increase in the price of vegetables positively affects returns at the farm gate; as the price of vegetables increases, farmers collect higher revenue because changes in price do not drastically affect demand. Price fluctuations reflect supply levels, downstream processing activity, global demand activity and several other factors.

With all other things equal, an increase in the price of vegetables will garner higher revenue for industry operators, so long as cost increases can be passed on to consumers to protect profit margins. The price of vegetables is expected to rise this year, representing a potential opportunity for the industry.

Vegetables (tomatoes) require a steady amount of soil moisture to grow and produce, but they cannot tolerate standing water from excessive rainfall. Periods of intense rain or harsh drought can destroy crops, drastically affecting industry production and revenue levels.

Average annual rainfall in the United States typically does not move far from its annual mean; still, unpredictable weather patterns can have drastic effects on the industry. Average annual precipitation is anticipated to decrease this year, posing a potential threat to the industry.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

If you are conversant with rising technology and scientific development in the agriculture industry, you will quite agree that vegetable and fruits farming via greenhouse commercial farming model is at the front burner. Greenhouse commercial farming is rapidly gaining entrance in our world today.

Greenhouse farming gives room for greater control over the growing environment of various crops. Dependent upon the technicality and specification of a greenhouse design, some of the important factors which may be controlled include temperature, levels of light and shade, irrigation, fertilizer application, and atmospheric humidity et al.

Basically, Greenhouses are used to overcome shortcomings in the growing qualities of a piece of land, such as a short growing season or poor light levels. In essence, they are designed to improve tomatoes production in marginal environments.

Please note that while per-capita consumption of vegetables has trended down, especially among teenagers, population increases, better quality and higher prices have allowed the industry to hold its ground in revenue terms and achieve growth.

Retail giants like Safeway and Wal-Mart have placed an emphasis on expanding their selection of fresh produce, especially of organic varieties. However, these large chains have used their market power to impose higher quality standards and drive down returns to growers.

The damage has been somewhat mitigated by bringing produce to a wider consumer base, but there is limited scope for growing sales by expanding access. The strong performance of the industry over the years to 2008 drew many new participants in.

Over the last two years, however, IBISWorld estimates that the number of farms and greenhouses growing vegetables has shrunk.

So also, if you are a close observer of the trends in the hydroponics and vegetable farming industry, you will agree that the vegetable farming industry is anticipated to increase due to increasing consumer health consciousness, which has led to increasing demand for fresh produce.

While per capita fruit and vegetable consumption has remained stable over in recent time, the price of vegetables have increased as consumers demand premium, fresh vegetables.

So also, the number of both small and large farms have been increasing. Small, local tomato farms are benefiting from the organic, local movement, while large, commercial tomato farms are improving labor efficiency. Going forward, players in the hydroponics and vegetable farming industry will continue to increase revenue generation for their business.

8. Our Target Market

The end consumer of tomatoes or vegetable farm produce and also those who benefit from the business value chain are all encompassing. Every household consumes tomatoes in different forms. In essence a commercial tomato farmer should be able to sell his or her farm produce to as many people as possible.

We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is why we will be exporting some of our tomatoes either in raw or processed form to other countries. In essence, our target markets are;

• Tomato paste production companies
• Restaurant operators
• Pizza production companies
• Ketchup production companies
• Juice production companies

Our Competitive Advantage

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling vegetables and tomato, which is why we decided to carry out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of hardworking and highly proficient tomato farmers. Aside from the synergy that exist in our carefully selected team members, we have some of the latest and efficient farm machines and equipment and we will be guided by international best practices in the industry.

Another competitive advantage that we are bringing to the industry is the fact that we have designed our business in such a way that we will operate a standard commercial farm that will be involved in diverse areas such as tomatoes cultivation, processing and packaging. With this, we will be able to take advantage of all the available opportunities within the industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is in the tomato farming business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC;

• Processing and packaging tomatoes (the production of tomato paste).

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey conducted, we were able to discover that the sales generated by a commercial tomato farm depends on the size and nature of the farm.

We have perfected our sales and marketing strategies and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income/profits from the year of operation and build the business from survival to sustainability.

We have been able to examine the hydroponics and vegetable farming industry, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $350,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $900,000

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters, and unfavorable government policies . Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are quite aware that the reason why some vegetable cum tomato farms hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their farm produce as at when due. In view of that, we decided to set up a standard tomato processing plant to help us maximize profits.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained to meet their set targets and the overall business goal of Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC.

We have perfected our sale and marketing strategies first by networking with agriculture merchants, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores and companies that rely on raw materials from the industry. In summary, Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our tomatoes;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stake holders in the food processing and tomato paste production industry, supermarkets, grocery stores, hotels and restaurants and tomato merchants et al.
• Advertise our business and tomatoes in agro – allied and food related magazines and websites
• List our commercial tomato farms on yellow pages ads
• Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready to utilize every available means to advertise and promote the business. We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means.

Below are the platforms you can leverage on to boost our tomato farming brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community – based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• List our tomato farms in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our commercial tomato farms in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Some of the factors that will help you sell your farm produce at the right price that will guarantee that you make profits is dependent on your strategy while some of the factors are beyond your control. For example, if the climatic condition is unfavorable and if there are natural disasters in the location, then it will directly affect the prices of your goods.

If you want to get the right pricing for your farm produce, then you should ensure that you choose a good location for vegetable farm, choose good breeds/seeds that will guarantee bountiful harvest, cut the cost of running your farm to the barest minimum and of course try as much as possible to attract buyers to your farm.

In view of that, our prices will conform to what is obtainable in the industry but will ensure that within the first 6 to 12 months our tomatoes are sold a little bit below the average price in the United States of America. We have put in place business strategies that will help us run on low profits for a period of 6 months; it is a way of encouraging people to buy into our tomato farming business

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via mobile money transfer
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for tomatoes purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a tomato farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The most important expenses is the construction of the farm. In view of that, here are some of the basic areas we will spend our startup capital in setting up our commercial tomato farm;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in United States of America – $750.
• The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $9,400
• The amount needed to acquire / lease a farmland – $50,000
• The amount required for preparing the farmland – $20,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment / machines / fencing et al – $10,000
• The amount required for purchase of the first set of tomato seedlings, manure (fertilizer) and pesticides et al – $15,000
• The amount required to set up a standard vegetable (tomato) processing plant within the farm facility – 80,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $10,000
• The cost of launching an official website – $600
• The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $80,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) to start a standard commercial tomato farm in the United States of America.

Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC

Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will be owned and managed by Philip Clinton and his immediate family members. They decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital for the business to just three major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $250,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Part of the plans we have in place to sustain Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC is to ensure that we continue to make available different sizes and species of tomatoes, deliver quality services, improvise on how to do things faster and cheaper.

We are not going to relent in providing conducive environment for our workers and also the required trainings that will help them deliver excellent services at all times.

We are quite aware that our customers are key component to the growth and survival of our business hence we are going to continuously engage them to give us ideas on how to serve them better and the products they want to see in our store.

We will not waste time in adopting new technology, best practices and diversifying our services. Philip Clinton® Tomato Farms, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of.

Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of farm land in San Antonio – Texas (preparing the farm land inclusive): Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Startup Capital generation: Completed
• writing of business plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Packaging and Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Building /construction of greenhouse and hothouse facility: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed working tools, machines and equipment: Completed
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement : In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry (agriculture farm produce merchants, tomato paste and ketchup production companies, suppliers of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides): Completed

Tomato Farming: Business Plan And Guide For Beginners

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Tomato farming is very common and popular throughout the world. It is an important commercial vegetable crop of many countries. And it is actually the second most important crop of world after potato .

Tomato is actually the edible berry of the plant Solanum lycopersicum (commonly known as tomato plant). The species originated in western South America and Central America.

The Nahuatl (the language used by the Aztecs) word tomatl gave rise to the Spanish word tomate, from which the English word tomato derived. It’s domestication and use as a cultivated food may have originated with the indigenous peoples of Mexico.[ 1 ]

Tomatoes are a significant source of umami flavor. And it is consumed in diverse ways. It is consumed raw or cooked, in many dishes, sauces, salads and drinks.

Tomatoes are fruits (botanically classified as berries), and are used as a vegetable ingredient or side dish. Many different varieties of tomato plant are widely grown in temperate climates across the world, with greenhouses allowing for the production of tomatoes throughout all of the year.

The tomato plants generally grow 3 to 10 feet in height. They are vines that have a weak stem that sprawls and typically needs support. Indeterminate tomato plants are perennials in their native habitat, but are cultivated as annuals. Exact size of the tomato varies according to the cultivar, with a range of 0.5 to 4 inches in width.

Generally, tomatoes are eaten raw or cooked. It is used in soup, juice and ketch up, powder. It is a rich source of vitamin A, C, potassium and minerals. Most of the tomato varieties are red when mature. But they also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, green, orange and purple. Many subspecies of tomatoes exist with different shapes and flavor.

However, here in this guide we are describing about tomato nutrition, advantages and ways of starting and operating a tomato farming business.

Table of Contents

How to Start Tomato Farming Business?

Starting commercial or small scale tomato farming business is very easy and simple. The tomato plants generally require less caring and other management. So, you will be able to easily start and operate this business, even if you are a beginner.

The tomato plants generally grow well in almost all types of environment with the availability of full sun. And almost all types of soil are good for tomato farming.

You can easily start this business in your area. Here in this guide, we are trying to describe more information about tomato farming business from planting, caring to harvesting and marketing.

Step 1. Complete a Tomato Farming Training

Successful tomato farming requires proper training, skills, and knowledge. So, try to complete a training before starting commercial production.

Step 2. Make A Business Plan

A good and effective business plan helps to run your business smoothly. So, try to make a business plan before starting and try to include everything in your plan. You can ask for help from an expert if you are an absolute beginner.

Step 3. Select A Good Location

You have to select a very good location for starting your tomato farming business. It will be better if the selected land become fertile and well drained with exposure to full sun. The tomato plants generally grow well in all types of soil. Soil with pH 7 to 8.5 is considered ideal for tomato farming.

Sandy loamy soil with good moisture retaining, aeration and proper drainage system are perfect for best growth of the plants and higher fruit yields.

Step 4. Prepare the Soil for Tomato Farming

Before planting tomato plants, you have to prepare the soil perfectly. The tomato plants can be grown in a wide variety of soil types ranging from sandy loam to clay, black soil and red soil having proper drainage.

The plants grow well under well drained sandy soil with high organic content. The plants can tolerate moderate acidic and saline soil, but avoid cultivation in high acidic soils.

For preparing the soil for tomato farming, plough the land 4 to 5 times and level it. Add well decomposed cow dung and Carbofuron at the rate of 5kg or Neem cake at the rate of 8kg per acre at the time of last ploughing.

Soil solarization is carried out to destroy harmful soil borne pathogen, pest and organism. It can also be done by using transparent plastic film as mulch. This sheet absorb radiation and thus increases soil temperature and kill pathogen.

Step 5. Requirement For Tomato Farming

Tomato is a day-neutral plant, so it can widely found and grown in any season. In the southern plains where there is no danger of frost, the first transplanting is done in December to January, second in June to July and third in September to October depending on the irrigation facilities available.

In the northern plains, three crops are taken but in frost affected area Rabi crop is not fruitful. The Kharif crop is transplanted in July, Rabi crop in October-November and Zaid crop in February months.

Step 6. Best Time For Tomato Farming

Tomatoes actually can be grown throughout the year. And there are some tomato varieties available that grow and produce fruits throughout the year. You can actually start growing tomatoes after the frost disappears. You can plant seeds indoor prior to 6 to 8 weeks of the average last spring frost date, if you want to have an early harvest.

And where there is no fear of frost, the tomatoes can be grown any time, especially in the southern tropical areas. Although, you can’t expect good yield in excessive hot temperature. Around 22 °C temperature of the soil is considered ideal for germinating the tomato seeds.

Step 7. Choose the Right Tomato Variety

You have to choose the right variety for good yield and maximum profits., you have to choose the right variety. There are actually many different varieties of tomatoes available in the market to choose from. Some of these available varieties are of large size, some are small, some are of amazing colors, some are made for specific regions, some varieties are of bush type and some are dwarf. Some varieties take less time to harvest and some require around or more than 3 months.

Depending on your choice, location and purpose, choose the right variety for your business. You can consult with an existing farmer in your area for better recommendations.

There are many tomato varieties that are well-suited for commercial farming. Each of these varieties has its own unique characteristics that make it a great choice for commercial farming. Not all tomato varieties are created equal when it comes to commercial farming.

Some are better suited for this purpose than others. As a commercial tomato farmer, it is important to choose a variety that is well-suited to your needs and growing conditions. He, we will take a look at some of the best tomato varieties for commercial farming.

1. Roma Tomatoes

Roma tomatoes are a popular variety for commercial farming due to their high yields, disease resistance, and long shelf life. These oblong-shaped tomatoes are great for making sauces, pastes, and canned products, which makes them a favorite among commercial tomato farmers. They are also fairly easy to grow, which is another reason why they are so popular.

2. Beefsteak Tomatoes

Beefsteak tomatoes are another popular variety for commercial farming. They are large, meaty, and have a sweet flavor that makes them perfect for slicing and using in sandwiches or salads. They are also very versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes. However, they require a lot of care and attention, which means that they may not be the best choice for beginner farmers.

3. Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are a great choice for commercial farming because they are small, easy to grow, and have a long shelf life. They are also very popular with consumers because of their sweet flavor and vibrant colors. They can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pastas, and pizzas. Due to their size, they are also great for snacking on the go.

4. San Marzano Tomatoes

San Marzano tomatoes are another popular variety for commercial farming. They are a type of plum tomato that is popular in Italy, where they are often used for making tomato sauce. They are also popular in the United States, where they are used in a variety of dishes. They have a sweet, rich flavor and are known for their meaty texture.

5. Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes are a type of tomato that has been passed down from generation to generation. They are often grown by small-scale farmers, but they can also be grown on a larger scale. They are popular with consumers because of their unique flavors and colors. However, they can be difficult to grow and require a lot of care and attention.

Step 8. Purchase Tomato Seeds

Collect or purchase seeds, after selecting the good variety for your business. Tomato seeds are easily available in the market. So, you will probably be able to purchase the seeds from your local market. You can also consider ordering the seeds online. Today, there are some seed suppliers with online stores.

Tomato Seeds Per Acre

You will need about 100 grams of seeds for planting an area of around one acre.

Step 9. Planting

You can plant either seeds or seedlings when the soil is warm. It is good to start in pots or container and then transplant. The seedlings will be ready for transplanting when they are of approximately 6 inches height. Hardening off transplants is very important if you plant seeds indoor. So harden off transplants for a week before planting in the garden.

Set the transplants outdoors in the shade for a couple of hours for the first day, for hardening off transplants. And then gradually increase the amount of time your plants are kept outside each day. It will be better if you can place tomato stakes or cages in the soil, during the time of planting.

Depending upon variety, uses and it’s growth habit, use spacing of 60x30cm or 75x60cm or 75x75cm. For dwarf variety use spacing of 75cm x 30cm and for rainy season use spacing of 120-150 x 30cm.

Step 10. Caring for Tomato Plants

The tomato plants generally require less caring and other management. Although it is important to take additional caring for good yield.

Caring the tomato plants is very easy and simple. Here we are trying to describe more information about the caring process for commercial tomato farming business.

Fertilizing

The tomato plants are heavy feeders, so apply adequate fertilizers. At the time of land preparation, apply well rotten cow dung@10ton/acre and mix well in the soil. Apply fertilizer dose of N:P:K @60:25:25kg/acre in form of Urea@130kg/acre, Single Super Phosphate@155kg/acre and MOP@45kg/acre.

Apply half dose of Nitrogen, full dose of Phosphorus and Potash applied as basal dose, apply it before transplanting. 20 to 30days after transplantation apply remaining 1/4th dose of nitrogen. Two month after transplantation, apply remaining dose of Urea.

Apply adequate irrigation during winter with an interval of 6 to 7 days. And in summer months, apply irrigation with an interval of 10 to 15 days depending upon soil moisture.

Mulcing is very important for retaining moisture into the soil. It is also beneficial for controlling weeds from the field.

Controlling Weeds

Do frequent weeding, hoeing and earthing up and keep field weed free till 45 days. If weed left uncontrolled then it will reduce crop yield upto 70 to 90 percent.

Two to three days of after transplantation take spray of Fluchloralin @800ml/200Ltr water as pre-emergence weedicide. If weed intensity is high, take post emergence spray of Sencor@300g/acre. Mulching is also an effective way to reduce soil temperature along with weed control.

Prune the plants by pinching off side stems (suckers), if you are using stakes and keep only a couple of branches.

Step 11. Control Pests and Diseases

Like any plant, tomatoes are susceptible to pests and diseases that can harm their growth and ultimately affect their yield. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common tomato pests and diseases, as well as how to prevent and treat them.

Common pests affect production in tomato farming are aphids, hornworms, whiteflies etc. And common diseases affect production in tomato farming business are early blight, late blight, veticillium wilt etc. Consult with an expert in your area to know about the controlling methods of these pests and diseases.

Step 12. Harvesting

Depending on the variety, most of the plants will start yielding by 70 days after transplantation. Harvesting is done depending upon purpose like for fresh market, long distance transport etc. Mature green tomatoes, 1/4th fruits portion gives pink color are harvested for long distance markets.

Almost all fruits turn into pink or red color but having firm flesh are harvested for local markets. For processing and seed extraction purpose, fully ripe fruits with soft flesh are used.

Step 13. Marketing

Marketing tomatoes is very easy. You will probably be able to easily sell your products in the local market. You can market either raw tomatoes or some products made from tomatoes. Although, you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.

These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful tomato farming business. It’s very easy and simple, even the beginners can start this business. Hope this guide has helped you. Good luck and many God bless you!

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Tomato Farming Business Plan: A Production and Cultivation Guide for Beginners

Table of contents, tips to succeed in the tomato farming business, what is the best way to grow tomatoes , machinery and equipment needed for tomato farming business, preparation of land for tomato cultivation, transplantation, weed and pest control, protected cultivation of tomato in shade net, protected cultivation of tomato in polyhouse, protected cultivation of tomatoes in the greenhouse, key activities, farm operator, supply chain, things to consider in the tomato farming business for beginners, step 1: business goals , step 2: market research, step 3: business plan , step 4: business identity , step 5: marketing , tomato yield per hectare.

Tomato is one of the world’s most essential and widely grown food crops. It is a warm-season vegetable. Tomato plants cannot tolerate cold and humidity. Tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family. The Tomato is native to Peru and Mexico. There are about 1000 varieties of Tomatoes in India. China is the leading Tomato producer in the world, followed by India and Turkey. Tomato season in India lasts throughout the year. Tomato season in India is mainly at the beginning and end of the year. 

Tomato farming business plan

Most commercial Tomato growers start the crop from seed (hybrid) in an indoor protected environment. While they wait for the young plants to grow and be ready for transplanting (usually 30-50 days), they prepare the field. They till the land and remove the residues of previous cultivation. Some farmers apply black plastic film to the ground. This plastic film not only helps to warm the soil but also controls weeds. Furthermore, Tomato growers design and set up an irrigation system before planting, usually drip irrigation. The most critical success factors are: 

• Deep, well-drained soil 
• High-yielding and resistant varieties 
• Adequate stalking 
• Disease control (blights and canker)

Tomatoes are usually cultivated twice a year. One starts in July-August and continues till February-March. The second starts in November-December and continues till June-July. A nursery is made from seeds to start Tomato cultivation. Nursery plants are ready for field planting in about a month. About 15000 plants are planted on one hectare of land. After about 2-3 months of Tomato planting in the field, fruits appear. The growing season of Tomatoes is 9-10 months. 

The machinery and equipment required for your Tomato farming business will depend on the scale of your operation. Machinery and equipment required include tractors, harvesters, boom sprayers, fertilizer spreaders, irrigation equipment, diggers, scales, bins, etc. Most farmers usually rent large machinery, such as tractors, when they want to use them instead of buying them as they are expensive. 

Irrigation systems may also require grid hydroelectric power, standby diesel generators for use during power outages, or solar-powered irrigation systems. Especially farmers in rural areas who do not have modern farming tools use animal-made tools for Tomato cultivation. The higher the level of mechanization in your Tomato farm, the more efficient your operations will be, and the more profitable your Tomato farming business will be. A Tomato farming business plan should include the cost of acquiring and renting various machinery and equipment. 

Farm practices for starting a Tomato farming business

When running a Tomato farming business, you must hire part-time farm workers when needed. Their duties include planting Tomato seeds, planting Tomato plants, fertilizer application, pruning, plowing, pruning, herbicides and pesticides. Part-time farm workers will be paid according to the number of days worked.

It would help if you also had supervisors, farm managers, finance and accounting staff, and logistics staff, depending on the scale of the Tomato business. The wages and salaries of your workers must be included in your Tomato farming business plan. 

You should prepare the land for good cultivation by plowing or digging well 2 to 3 times. Finally, add organic manure and 10 kg of carbofuran granules or 200 kg of neem-cake to the soil.

Transplantation is done in small flat beds or shallow furrows, depending on the availability of irrigation. In heavy soil, it is generally transplanted in ridges and is beneficial to plant seedlings during rains. 

In case you missed it: How to Start Tomato Farming in the USA: A Step-by-Step Production Guide to Planting to Harvesting

Tomato plants require adequate moisture during their growth. Drip irrigation is most suitable for maintaining a constant supply of moisture. You will need to arrange the first watering immediately after transplanting the plants. Daily irrigation is necessary when the plants are young. 

For weed control, you can use intercultural operations like hand-handing, weeding, mulching, and staking as a general system. Weed control can be achieved using herbicides, plastic mulch, and a good crop rotation system. Several pre-plant and post-emergence herbicides are available for Tomatoes, depending on the specific weed problem and the stage of Tomato growth. Early cultivation can help reduce weed problems if infestation levels are light. Insects, especially the Colorado potato beetle, can significantly affect Tomato production.

Early control of adult Colorado potato beetles can prevent crop damage. Aphids, corn earworms, European corn borer, armyworms, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites, and fruit flies can also cause crop damage. Monitoring the pest population with traps or weekly scouting will help determine if you should use an insecticide and how often to spray. Many Tomato diseases can cause crop loss, including bacterial canker, leaf blight, viruses, early blight, anthracnose, and bacterial soft rot.

Several fruit disorders are also caused by excess soil moisture or weather conditions. These include cat face, spot ripening, gray wall, yellow shoulders, sunburn, sun scald, and fruit cracking. Plant diseases and fruit defects can be treated by buying fungicide disease-resistant varieties, maintaining adequate plant nutrition, rotating crops, and growing in well-aerated and well-drained soil. Tomato plants can also be grown organically, but this will require a high level of management and supervision to succeed economically. 

Harvesting Tomatoes in the fresh market is labor intensive and requires multiple pickings. Depending on plant variety, maturity, and market value, Tomatoes are harvested four to six times during the growing season. Tomatoes for the wholesale market are picked at the mature green-to-ripe stage to prevent overripe fruit during shipping and handling.

Markets like farmers’ markets, roadside stands, or other live markets will allow you to ripen Tomatoes on the vine before harvesting. After harvest, growers must check Tomatoes for size, color, and defects to ensure the marketing of a high-quality product.

Production methods for Tomato farming under safe cultivation 

Tomatoes grow best in well-drained soils with good air and water infiltration rates. Before planting Tomatoes, you should have a soil test done. Tomatoes need a constant supply of moisture throughout the growing season. However, excess water during growth, especially after fruit set, can increase fruit susceptibility to cracking (both l and concentric), reducing fruit quality and yield. 

It can be grown in various soils ranging from sandy loam to clay, black clay, and red clay with adequate drainage. Avoid planting in highly acidic soils. Light soils are beneficial for early crops, while clay loam and silt soils are beneficial for heavy production. 

During summer, hybrid Tomatoes under a 35% shaded row planting system (80 x 40 x 60 cm – between pairs, rows, and plants) can be grown with a basal application of 50 kg N and K. Apply 250 kg P/ha and 200 kg N and K through straight fertilization. 

During the rainy season, indeterminate Tomato hybrids are grown in a medium consisting of FYM: composted coir peat: sand (2:1:1) with 50kg each of the NPK/ hectare is used as a natural fertilizer. 250 kg NPK as water soluble and direct fertilizer by fertigation with black polyethylene mulch (50 microns).

In case you missed it: High Yield Tomato Varieties in India: A Farmer Guide for Good Profits

Greenhouse farming is the most efficient way to grow Tomatoes. Tomatoes are grown in greenhouses where water, humidity, temperature, and soil pH are closely monitored. Under this method, Tomato yield is higher than in open field cultivation. The incidence of pests and diseases is also reduced under this method. 

Greenhouse production is more expensive than producing the same crop in the open field. The most crucial cost determinants are the depreciation of structures and equipment, labor, energy, and variable costs such as plant material, substrate, and fertilizer. Tomatoes can be grown in any greenhouse, provided it is tall enough to manage and train the plants vertically. High-light transmission is significant and varies between 70% and 81% in modern greenhouses. 

The Tomato plant is a short-lived perennial and can be maintained for a year or more in favorable conditions. However, most production schedules allow at least one month between crops for cleaning and pest control. The time chosen to be out of production is usually based on unfavorable prices or environmental conditions.

How to operate a Tomato farm 

The critical activities in Tomato cultivation are variety selection, nursery development, transplanting, watering, weeding, pest and disease control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. 

Due to the technical nature of Tomato farming, the farm operator should be assisted by farmers and experts in carrying out critical management practices. Ideally, the operator should have experience in Tomato cultivation. 

Buy certified varieties of disease-resistant seeds. Growers should consider Tomatoes’ pest and disease-susceptibility when procuring seeds. Seeds should be procured from certified distributors and agro-dealer shops. 

Commercial Tomato farming is a profitable vegetable farming business. However, to ensure maximum profit from production, you should maintain some basics. 

• Variety selection plays a significant role in the success of a Tomato farming business. 
• You should choose the right one that suits the other climate and soil conditions. 
• Planting should be started at the right time of the season. 
• You will need to follow proper planting and crop management practices. 
• Proper soil condition increases yield per hectare. 
• Soil testing and treatment are recommended. 
• For Tomato cultivation, you should manage proper irrigation.
• Proper fertilizer and pest management are required. 
• Planning is required before marketing. Most importantly – it would help if you prepared a financial plan before starting Tomato farming. 
• Tomatoes can be cultivated in many ways. Although open field farming is the most popular, other methods such as polyhouse farming, greenhouse farming, and hydroponics Tomatoes are being explored worldwide. If done correctly, Tomato cultivation has vast opportunities in both domestic and export markets. 

A step-by-step guide to starting a Tomato farm business plan for beginners

It is essential to understand that people start businesses for several reasons: 

• Following a passion; 
• Financial independence; 
• Doing something during retirement; 
• It has a social impact, etc. 
• Take some time to think about starting a Tomato business. 

In case you missed it: Top 24 Steps to Boost Tomato Yield: How to Increase Production, Quality, and Size

Market research is fundamental for existing business owners to help shape business and strategy; thus, anything you build anywhere will be successful. There are many failed businesses on the continent; opportunities must be aligned with local realities. Assess customer behavior and economic trends to help you improve your business strategy.

Use competitive analysis to determine what is missing in the market and how you can operate your business differently. You can gather competitive information by observing market transactions, conducting surveys, focus groups, and interviewing potential customers. Through careful market research, you will be able to zoom in on your target customers and determine a sales strategy that will be successful. 

Writing a business plan should be part of your planning. A properly prepared business plan will increase your confidence in your business idea by answering critical risk and opportunity questions and providing a roadmap for achieving your business goals. But you don’t have to complete a business long or entirely before starting your own. However, it tries to answer who, what and how you plan to make money. 

Business Name and Domain : Invest considerable time and care in choosing a business name and domain name (if applicable). These will be key to how customers find and remember you. 

Business Structure : Decide which legal structure is best for your business: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. This is important because it affects your taxes, personal liability, your ability to get funding, etc. Consider consulting an attorney and accountant to help you make your decision. 

Business Location : Location depends on your business; it can make or break your business. You may need to consider issues such as foot traffic, parking, distance from suppliers and customers, ordinances, utilities, crime, convenience, and close competition.

There are some basic marketing alternatives available to the Tomato grower: 

• Wholesale markets 
• Cooperatives 
• Local retailers (grocery stores) 
• Roadside stands 
• Choose your operations
• Processing firms 

In case you missed it: Tomato Farming In Karnataka, Areas, Seasons, Yield

Options are available for processing Tomatoes. In wholesale marketing, you or a shipper can take your crop to market. Shippers usually sell and transport Tomatoes at a predetermined price. Marketing cooperatives typically use daily pooled costs and prices, which spread price fluctuations across all participating producers. Local retailers are another potential market, but you should take the time to contact production managers and provide stores with high-quality Tomatoes when needed. 

Roadside stands either own or another grower’s, and do-it-yourself operations offer opportunities to charge higher prices for your Tomatoes than wholesale. There may be additional costs for maintenance and additional costs for providing the service to you. By picking your operations, you save on crop costs, but you must also be willing to accept some waste and the risks of people visiting your farm. 

Nitrogen and potassium are fundamental to obtaining high marketable yields. The correct form of nitrogen is essential – ammonium can limit growth and adversely affect quality. Yield per hectare varies greatly with variety and season. The yield of outdoor Tomato cultivation on stalked crops averages 60-100 tons per hectare.

Determinate varieties, however, generally do not yield more than 30–50 tons per hectare due to their short crop cycle. Industrial outdoor Tomatoes from experienced professional growers typically produce 60-80 tons per hectare. These are average yields, and there are impressive deviations in many cases. Tomatoes are collected and classified according to size, shape, and overall condition.

They are then moved to cool but not frozen (13°C) storage areas to avoid possible weight loss. Tomatoes can be stored in excellent conditions (4°C), provided they are collected during their late stages of ripening. If not, the Tomatoes will fail to reach the desired level of maturity. They will probably not achieve intense red color because the production of the substances responsible for giving the fruit its red color stops at low temperatures.

In case you missed it: Tomato Seed Germination, Time Period, and Procedure

The Tomato farming business is one of the most profitable agribusiness ideas. Tomatoes are consumed widely- they can be eaten in various ways, including raw, in many dishes and sauces, and even in drinks. Tomatoes also use a food processor. The Tomato is an herbaceous, sprawling plant with a weak woody stem 1-3 meters tall.

Tomato farming is a profitable business that provides millions of people income. Still, there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the Tomato farming business. You have to decide how many hectares of land you want to grow, what kind of Tomatoes you will grow, what season you will plant your Tomatoes in, and your target market will be affected by is, and size of your target market. 

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How to start tomato farming for profit.

Read on for a complete guide on how to start tomato farming. Remember that tomatoes are a member of the nightshade family of plants that includes peppers and potatoes.

26 Steps for Growing Tomatoes for Profit

1. develop a farm business plan.

Your farm business plan is a framework to get funding and gauge your success. The USDA has an excellent checklist to reference.

2. Identify the Right Growing Conditions

3. choose the right variety of tomatoes, 4. know when to plant tomato seedlings.

Late spring or early summer is a good time to plant tomato seeds. Mid-March to early April seedlings should be about 3 to 4 inches tall before you transplant them.

5. Find and Develop the Ideal Tomato Crop Terrain

6. research pest and disease control methods, 7. prepare your soil.

Many farmers plan for good tomato cultivation by tweaking the soil conditions early on. Tomatoes cannot grow in sandy soils. Plants depend on dirt that’s rich in organic matter. Put compost or even fish heads in the dirt where the root ball will grow.

8. Plant Your Seedlings

8. harden off your tomato plants, 9. transplant your seedlings, 10. maintain your crops and keep them healthy.

Water stress happens when the leaves don’t get enough moisture. The edges die. Here are some other tips to keep tomatoes healthy. When they reach a certain height, gently tie them to stakes. That keeps the fruit set in place so they don’t snap the stems. Start when they are 6 to 10 inches high.

11. Consider Investing in a Greenhouse, Nursery, or Tunnel House

12. identify your market, 13. develop your marketing strategy.

Marketing tomatoes can use a multichannel approach. If you have a social media platform like a Facebook Page or a website, use SEO. Search engine optimization starts with the right keyword. Don’t forget to geographically tag them to attract local consumers. So, a keyword like “tomatoes in Philadelphia” will attract people there.

14. Harvest Your Ripe Tomatoes

15. utilize efficient watering techniques.

Implement a watering system that ensures consistent moisture levels without overwatering, such as drip irrigation, which minimizes water wastage and prevents diseases.

16. Regularly Monitor for Pests and Diseases

17. employ crop rotation practices, 18. implement organic practices, 19. enhance soil fertility, 20. train and prune plants.

Properly train and prune tomato plants to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, which promotes healthier growth and reduces the risk of disease.

21. Manage Greenhouse Conditions (if applicable)

22. learn and adapt, 23. develop relationships with distributors and retailers, 24. analyze and adjust your business plan, 25. invest in quality seedlings or seeds, 26. plan for harvest and post-harvest handling, troubleshooting common tomato plant issues.

Ripe tomatoes appear cracked when this begins. Hot humid rainy weather causes this problem. The solution is to water your tomatoes while they grow.

Is Tomato Farming Profitable?

How many tomatoes can 1 plant produce.

The type of tomato makes a difference. But generally, you get 18 fruits per plant. However, there are types like the Roma Tomato. They yield 30 fruits per plant. All tomatoes contain about 20 milligrams of vitamin C.

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Tomato Farming Business Plan for Beginners

• October 30, 2023
• by Next What Business Research Team

Do you want to start a tomato farming business? Tomato is one of the most important and highest-grown food crops in the world. This is a warm-season vegetable. A tomato plant cannot withstand frost and humidity. The tomato is botanically known as Lycopersicum esculentum and belongs to the family Solanaceae.

Tomato ranks third in priority after Potato and Onion in India but ranks second after potato in the world. India ranks second in the area as well as in the production of tomatoes. Tomatoes are generally used in three ways. One is in the green salad as fresh, in cooked food recipes, and as processed tomato products like sauce, juice, puree, ketchup, etc.

Read :  Profitable Tomato Processing Business Opportunities

Commercial tomato cultivation can be done on open land and in greenhouses. The most important thing is you can grow tomatoes even on a small piece of land. And that will also give you a substantial profit. The major tomato-growing countries are China, the USA, Italy, Turkey, India, and Egypt.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

• Tomatoes are one of the low-calorie vegetables; hold just 18 calories per 100 g. They are also deficient in fat content and have zero cholesterol levels.
• The antioxidants present in tomatoes are scientifically found to be protective against cancers, including colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic tumours.
• Lycopene, a flavonoid antioxidant, is a unique phytochemical compound found in tomatoes.
• It contains very good levels of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as a and ß-carotenes, xanthins, and lutein. Altogether, these pigment compounds are found to have antioxidant properties and take part in night vision, the maintenance of healthy skin, and bones.
• Regular consumption of tomatoes can also provide relief from gallbladder diseases such as gallstones.

Best Varieties For Tomato Cultivation

Some of the worldwide best varieties are Adoration, Azoychka, Alicante, Better Boy, Beefsteak, Big Rainbow, Blaby Special, Black Krim, Campari, Celebrity, Cherokee Purple, Garden Peach, Early Girl, Great White, Green Zebra, etc.

The most popular Indian varieties are Arka Saurabh, Arka Vikas, Arka Ahuti, Arka Ashish, Arka Abha, Arka Alok, HS101, HS102, HS110, Hisar Arun, Hisar Lalima, Hisar Lalit, Hisar Anmol, KS.2, Narendra Tomato 1, Narendra Tomato 2, Pusa Red Plum, Pusa Early Dwarf, Pusa Ruby, Co-1, CO 2, CO 3, S-12, Punjab Chhuhara, PKM 1, Pusa Ruby, Paiyur-1, Shakthi, SL 120, Pusa Gaurav, S 12, Pant Bahar, Pant T3, Solan Gola, and Arka Meghali.

Agro-Climatic Condition For Tomato Cultivation

The tomato crop is cultivated during the winter and summer seasons. It grows well under an average monthly temperature range of 21 0 -23 0 C but commercially it may be grown at temperatures ranging from 18 0 C to 27 0 C. Temperature and light intensity affect the fruit set, pigmentation, and nutritive value of the fruits.

Suitable Soil For Tomato Cultivation

The tomato grows on practically all soils from light sandy to heavy clay. Light soils are good for an early crop, while clay loam and silt loam soils are well suited for heavy yields. Most perfect is soil with more sand in the surface layer and clay in the sub-surface layers. Tomatoes do best in soil that has a soil reaction from pH 6.0 to 7.0.

Seed & Seedlings For Tomato Cultivation

Proper preparation of land is mandatory. For raising the seedlings in a nursery bed 300 – 400 g/ha seeds are required. Seedlings are grown within one month of transplanting raised beds of 60-100 cm width and of convenient length. Soil solarization of nursery beds by covering them with a white transparent polyethene sheet for one month should be done in the hot summer months. About 400-500 g seeds are needed for the one-hectare area. The suitable height for the tomato plant for transplanting is 7.5 cm to 10 cm with a good sturdy stem.

5 Steps to Start Tomato Farming Business

1. create a tomato farming business plan.

It is strongly advised to write a business plan for your upcoming tomato farm. Some of the chapters that must be included in your tomato farming business plan document:

Executive Summary

• Provide a concise overview of your tomato farming business, including your objectives, mission, and vision.
• Describe your farming location, size, and facilities.
• Mention the funding requirements and the purpose of the business plan.

Business Description

• Explain the type of tomato farming you plan to undertake (e.g., greenhouse, open field).
• Provide information about your farm’s location, climate, and soil conditions.
• Describe your business’s legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, cooperative).

Market Research

• Conduct a thorough market analysis, including the demand for tomatoes in your region.
• Identify your target market, such as local markets, wholesalers, or processors.
• Analyze your competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.

Products and Services

• Detail the tomato varieties you intend to grow.
• Describe any additional products or services you plan to offer, like tomato seedlings or value-added products (sauces, canned tomatoes).

Farming Operations

• Explain your farming techniques and practices, including planting, watering, fertilization, pest control, and disease management.
• Discuss your choice of organic or conventional farming.
• Outline your crop rotation and maintenance strategies.

Equipment and Infrastructure

• List the equipment and machinery you’ll need, such as tractors, irrigation systems, and storage facilities.
• Provide information about your farm’s infrastructure, including greenhouses or shade nets.

Financial Plan

• Create a detailed budget, including startup costs and monthly operating expenses.
• Estimate your revenue, considering factors like yield, market prices, and production capacity.
• Develop a cash flow projection to ensure your business’s financial sustainability.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

• Describe your pricing strategy for tomatoes.
• Explain your sales channels, which may include local markets, contracts with wholesalers, or exports.
• Outline your marketing plan, such as advertising, branding, and promotions.
• Identify potential risks to your tomato farming business, like weather-related challenges, pests, or market fluctuations.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies to minimize potential losses.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Address the legal requirements for starting a tomato farming business in your region, including permits, licenses, and compliance with agricultural regulations.

2. Tomato Cultivation Process

A. land preparation for tomato farming:.

You must prepare the land to a fine tilth by thorough ploughing or digging 2 – 3 times. At the last, apply to plough organic manure and 10 kg carbofuran granules or 200 kg neem cake in the soil.

b. Transplanting:

The transplanting is done in small flatbeds or shallow furrows depending upon the availability of irrigation. In heavy soil, it is usually transplanted on ridges and during the rains also it is advantageous to plant the seedlings on ridges.

c. Irrigation:

Tomato plants require adequate moisture throughout their growth period. Drip irrigation is most appropriate to maintain a uniform moisture supply. You will need to arrange the first irrigation soon after the seedlings are transplanted. Daily irrigation is necessary when plants are small.

d. Weed Control:

You can use intercultural operations like hand hoeing, weeding, mulching, and staking as general systems for the control of weeds.

3. Plant Protection Systems For Tomato Cultivation

The Basic two issues are insect management and disease management. Some of the major potential harmful insects are the Leaf-eating caterpillar, Tomato fruit borer, Tomato Wilt, and Powdery mildew. Proper precautions and preventive measures need to be followed.

Tomato is attacked by a vast range of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The most common diseases are anthracnose, bacterial spot, bacterial blight, bacterial canker, buckeye rot, damping-off, early blight, fusarium blight, late blight, leaf curl, mosaic, powdery mildew, rots, and septoria leaf blight. You must provide proper disease management to the farm to ensure the minimum losses from the diseases.

4. Harvesting & Storage For Tomato Farming

The maturity of tomato plants is achieved after 8-12 weeks of planting. The yield of a tomato depends on variety and season, which varies from 20 to 24 t/ha. Quality characteristics such as flavour, texture, and colour are better maintained when the fruit is harvested at an earlier stage of maturity.

The harvesting time depends on the purpose for which tomato is grown and the distance over which they are to be transported. You must pick tomatoes at the mature green stage for long-distance transportation. Fully ripened and good red colours are desirable for processing and preparing tomato puree and ketchup.

5. Tomato Cultivation Export Opportunity

Export is one of the most potential avenues of earnings for the major tomato-producing countries. There is a certain process of packaging for export purposes. For export purposes, the tomato is first packed in consumer packs of LDPE or PP (polypropylene). Twenty consumer packs of 250 gm are placed in a 5 Kg CFB box. High-yielding F1 hybrids are most suitable for export.

Organic tomatoes also have a very good demand in both the domestic and international markets. For export, you must enhance the quality of tomatoes and bring them to international standards not only in production but also in presentation, packing, etc.

Some of the most important required documents for tomato export are Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of origin, Shipping Bill, Bill of handling, Airway Bill, Letter of Credit, etc. You can expect a Benefit-Cost ratio: of 6.5 from your tomato cultivation business.

Things To Consider in Tomato Farming Business

Commercial tomato cultivation is a profitable vegetable farming business. However, to ensure profit maximization from the produce, you must maintain some basics.

• Variety choice plays a big role in the success of a tomato cultivation business. You must select the right one that fits with the other climatic and soil conditions.
• One must start the plantation at the right time of the season.
• You will need to follow the proper plantation and crop management practices.
• The right soil condition enhances the per Ha production output. Soil testing and treatment are recommended.
• You must arrange proper irrigation for tomato cultivation.
• Proper fertilisation and insect management are required
• You must prepare for any disease management
• Before marketing planning is required.
• Most important – You must craft a financial plan before starting tomato cultivation. The calculation of ROI is highly recommended to ensure the maximum profit.

Tomato Farming can be done in multiple ways. Though open field cultivation is the most popular, other ways like polyhouse tomato farming, greenhouse farming, and hydroponics tomatoes are being explored throughout the world. If done properly, tomato farming has a wide opportunity both in domestic as well as in the export market.

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Tomato Farming Business Strategy: A Beginner’s Guide

Tomato farming is an excellent choice if you are looking for a profitable  agribusiness  venture. However, like any other business, success in  tomato  farming requires proper planning and execution. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on tomato farming business strategy, including the necessary steps to start and run a successful tomato farm.

Location and Climate For Tomato Farming Business:

When choosing a location for your tomato farm, several factors must be considered. The most important of these include access to water, proper drainage, and enough sunlight. Additionally, it would help if you also considered factors such as soil quality, pests, diseases, and labor availability.

Understanding the local climate and weather patterns is crucial for tomato farming. Tomatoes are a warm-weather crop and require temperatures between 21-24°C for optimal fruit color and quality. High temperatures above 32°C can negatively impact fruit set and development. Additionally, tomatoes are sensitive to frost and high humidity.

Adapting to local conditions and selecting suitable cultivars is essential for success in tomato farming. Choosing cultivars that are well-suited to the local climate is important because different cultivars of tomatoes require different amounts of temperature, sunlight, and water. It would help if you also considered factors such as disease resistance, yield, and fruit quality when choosing cultivars. By understanding your local conditions, you can select cultivars that will thrive and produce high yields, improving profitability.

Learn About :   How To Grow Organic Tomatoes: Tips for Successful Cultivation

Production and Cultivation:

Preparing the land and soil for planting and preparing.

The land and soil for planting tomatoes are essential steps in ensuring a successful harvest. The first step is to select a location with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and well-drained soil. The soil should also have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Before planting, it’s important to till the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches and remove any debris or weeds. If the soil is poor, it may be necessary to amend it with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. It will help to improve the fertility and structure of the soil.

Testing the soil for nutrient deficiencies and addressing any issues before planting is also essential. Tomatoes require high nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels, so these nutrients should be added if needed.

Once the soil is prepared, it’s time to create beds for planting. The beds should be about 30 inches wide and raised about 6 inches above the surrounding soil level. It allows for better drainage and helps to prevent waterlogging of the roots.

Finally, before planting, it’s essential to ensure the soil temperature is at least 60°F. It can be checked with a soil thermometer. Once the soil is prepared, it’s time to plant your tomatoes and begin growing a delicious and healthy crop.

Best practices for watering and fertilizing tomato plants

Tomatoes require consistent moisture to grow and develop properly. It’s best to water the plants deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly and frequently. An excellent way to check if the plants need watering is to stick your finger in the soil about an inch deep; if it’s dry, it’s time to water.

Fertilizing:

After the first week, fertilize the tomato plants with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Repeat this every 3-4 weeks. Tomatoes also benefit from regular liquid seaweed or fish emulsion fertilizer applications.

Managing Pests and diseases In the Tomato Farming Business

Common tomato pests:

• Tomato hornworm:  large green caterpillars that can cause significant damage to leaves and fruit.
• Aphids:  small insects that feed on the sap of leaves and stems, causing leaf curling and stunted growth.
• Whiteflies:  small white flies that feed on the sap of leaves and stems, causing leaf yellowing and stunted growth.
• Tomato fruit worm:  also known as the corn earworm, feeds on the fruit, causing damage to the tomato.
• Cutworms:  gray or brown caterpillars that feed on the stem at the base of the plant, causing the plant to fall over.
• Spider mites:  tiny arachnids that feed on the sap of leaves and stems, causing leaf yellowing and stunted growth.

Preventive measures include crop rotation, sanitation, resistant varieties, and appropriate fertilization and irrigation. Also, using row covers, sticky traps, beneficial insects such as ladybugs, and insecticides can help control the pests.

Diseases in Tomato Plants: 

• Early blight:  caused by the fungus  Alternaria solani , characterized by circular brown or black spots on the leaves and stem.
• Late blight:  caused by the fungus  Phytophthora infestans , characterized by large, dark green or brown spots on the leaves, stem, and fruit.
• Fusarium wilt : It is caused by the fungus  Fusarium oxysporum , characterized by wilting of the plant and yellowing of the leaves.
• Bacterial wilt:  The disease caused by the bacterium  Ralstonia solanacearum , characterized by wilting of the plant and yellowing of the leaves.
• Blossom-end rot  is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil, characterized by a leathery or sunken black patch on the bottom of the fruit.
• Verticillium wilt:  caused by the fungus  Verticillium dahliae , characterized by yellowing leaves, wilting, and stunted growth.

Read on to learn in-depth about nine significant tomato plant disease symptoms, i.e., how to identify causes and remedies:  Common diseases in tomato Plants: Identify And Control. 

Harvesting and post-harvest handling:

Harvesting:.

Tomatoes are typically ready to harvest when they have reached full size and have developed a deep, rich color. They should be picked when they are fully ripe but still firm.

Post-harvest handling:

Tomatoes should be handled gently to avoid bruising. They should be stored in a cool, dry place and not refrigerated, as it can affect the taste and texture. Tomatoes can also be canned or frozen for later use.

How To Make a Marketing and Sales Plan For a Tomato Farming Business?

Identifying target markets and determining the demand:.

Identifying target markets and determining the demand for tomatoes can be done through a variety of methods:

Market research:

Market research is an essential step in identifying target markets and determining demand. It can include surveys, focus groups, and interviews with potential customers to gather information on their buying habits, preferences, and demographics.

Industry analysis:

Analyzing industry trends and data can provide valuable insights into target markets and demand. This can include studying data on consumer spending patterns, industry growth, and market size.

Competitor analysis:

Analyzing the strategies and performance of competitors can also provide valuable information on target markets and demand. It can include studying their target markets, pricing strategies, and marketing efforts.

Online research:

Using online tools such as Google Trends, Social media listening, and analytics, can also help identify target markets and demand. This can include analyzing online conversations and searching data to identify trends and patterns.

Visit farmer’s markets, supermarkets, and other retailers to observe the types of tomatoes being sold, their prices, and the demographics of the customers.

By combining these methods, you can comprehensively understand target markets and demand for tomatoes in your area. This information can then be used to develop a successful marketing strategy and to identify the best channels and methods to reach your target audience.

Developing a marketing strategy:

Developing a marketing strategy for a tomato farming business can be done through the following steps:

Define your target market:

Based on your research and analysis, define your target market by identifying their demographics, buying habits, and preferences.

Identify your Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Determine what makes your tomatoes unique, such as their taste, size, color, or organic certification, and use this as a critical element of your marketing strategy.

Set marketing goals:

Establish specific, measurable, and achievable goals for your marketing efforts, such as increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or reaching a certain number of customers.

Choose the proper marketing channels:

Select the marketing channels that will reach your target market most effectively. This could include advertising in local newspapers and social media, participating in farmers’ markets and community events, or working with local grocery stores and restaurants.

Develop a content marketing strategy:

Develop a plan for creating and sharing valuable content that will engage and inform your target audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media posts.

Measure and analyze your results:

Keep track of your marketing efforts and analyze the results to determine what works and is not. Use this information to make adjustments and improve your strategy.

Continuously test and iterate:

Keep testing new marketing channels, messages, and tactics and iterating on the strategy based on what works.

By following these steps, you can develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach your target market and achieve your marketing goals effectively.

• Building relationships with buyers and suppliers:

Building relationships with buyers and suppliers is an essential part of the business. Contact local grocery stores, restaurants, and other buyers to establish a customer base. Additionally, build relationships with suppliers of seeds, fertilizer, and other inputs to ensure a steady supply of materials.

• Pricing and packaging of tomatoes for sale:

Pricing and packaging tomatoes for sale are important steps in a tomato farming business’s marketing and sales process. Here are some tips for pricing and packaging tomatoes for purchase:

Determine the cost of production:

This includes the seeds, fertilizer, labor, and other tomato growing expenses.

Research the competition:

Look at the prices of similar tomatoes other farmers or retailers sell. It will give you an idea of the going rate for tomatoes in your area.

Consider the quality and size of your tomatoes:

Heavier, more prominent, and higher-quality tomatoes will command a higher price than petite or lower-quality tomatoes.

Set a fair price:

Determine a reasonable cost by factoring in the production expenses, analyzing the market prices of similar products, and evaluating the quality and quantity of your tomatoes. It will enable you to set a price that ensures profitability while remaining competitive.

Tomatoes should be packaged in a way that is visually appealing and makes them easy to transport and sell. This can include using clear plastic containers that show off the tomatoes or branded packaging that helps establish your brand.

Proper labeling of your tomatoes is essential. Include information such as the variety, weight, and price. If your tomatoes are organic, include the organic certification label.

By determining the cost of production, researching the competition, and considering the quality and size of your tomatoes, you can set a fair price that will allow you to make a profit. Additionally, by packaging and labeling your tomatoes attractively and professionally, you can increase your chances of making sales.

How To Financial Planning in Tomato Farming Business?

Projecting costs and revenues.

To ensure its success, the tomato farming business requires proper planning and estimation of costs and profits. Now, we will discuss the total cost of tomato growing in the USA, revenue estimation, and how to calculate the yield of a 1-hectare tomato farm.

Cost Estimation of Tomato Growing in the USA

Tomato farming involves various costs such as land preparation, irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other inputs.  According to a research article , It was estimated that tomatoes growing in the USA cost $6,057 per hectare.

Land Preparation

Land preparation is an essential step in tomato farming. It involves clearing the land, tilling, and leveling. The cost of land preparation is estimated to be around $1,000 per hectare.

Tomatoes require regular watering, especially during the growing season. The cost of irrigation is estimated to be around $1,200 per hectare.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers are used to provide essential nutrients to tomato plants. The cost of fertilizers is estimated to be around $1,500 per hectare.

Pesticides are used to protect tomato plants from pests and diseases. The cost of pesticides is estimated to be around $1,000 per hectare.

Tomato farming requires labor for various tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting. The cost of delivery is estimated to be around $1,357 per hectare.

Other Inputs

Other inputs such as seeds, equipment, and transportation also add to the total cost of growing tomatoes. The cost of other information would be approximately $1,000 per hectare.

Revenue Estimation of Tomato Farming in the USA

Based on a yield of 50 tons per hectare and a selling price of $0.50 per pound, the revenue can be estimated as follows:

50 tons x 2,000 pounds/ton = 100,000 pounds

100,000 pounds x $0.50/pound = $50,000

Therefore, the revenue of a 1-hectare tomato farm in the USA can be estimated to be $50,000.

Profit Calculation of Tomato Farming in the USA

Based on the estimates of cost and revenue, the profit of a 1-hectare tomato farm in the USA can be calculated as follows:

Revenue: $50,000

Total cost: $6,057

Profit:  $50,000 – $6,057 = $43,943

It’s important to note that these are rough estimates, and the actual costs and revenues may vary based on various factors such as weather conditions, market demand, and location. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to consult with experts in the field and conduct a thorough market analysis before investing in a tomato farming business.

Creating a Budget and Financial Plan:

A budget and financial plan are essential for managing a tomato farming business. A budget can help you manage expenses and ensure you have enough money to cover costs throughout the growing season. A financial plan can help you project future revenues and costs and identify potential risks and opportunities. To create a budget and financial plan, you can use a spreadsheet to track all income and expenses, including projected costs and revenues, and compare them with actual results.

Determining The Profitability of The Business:

Determining the profitability of a tomato farm business is essential to understand if the company is sustainable and able to generate enough revenue to cover costs and make a profit. To determine profitability, you can calculate the business’s net income by subtracting total expenses from total revenues. You can also use financial ratios such as gross or net profit margins to measure profitability.

Managing risks and unexpected costs:

Tomato farming has many potential risks, such as bad weather, pests, and diseases. Additionally, unexpected costs can arise, such as equipment breakdown or increased costs of inputs. It’s crucial to have a contingency plan in case of unforeseen costs and risks. This can include having savings or a line of credit available to cover unexpected expenses.

Additionally, it’s essential to have insurance coverage for the farm and its equipment to protect against potential losses. It’s also important to regularly review and update the budget and financial plan to account for potential risks and unexpected costs. Additionally, diversifying the crop, developing good relationships with suppliers, and understanding the market can help mitigate some risks.

Starting a tomato farming business can be profitable but requires careful planning and management. To successfully grow tomatoes, it’s essential to consider several factors. These include choosing the suitable variety of tomatoes, properly preparing the land and soil, effectively managing pests and diseases, properly harvesting and handling the tomatoes after harvest, marketing and selling the product, projecting costs and revenue, creating a financial plan and budget, assessing the profitability of the business, and managing any potential risks and unforeseen expenses.

Resources such as the USDA’s Small Farm website, state Cooperative Extension Services, and books on the topic can provide more information. Research the target market, costs, and potential revenues to get started and create a budget and financial plan. Seek advice from experienced farmers and gain practical experience through interning or working on a farm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section:

How profitable is tomato farming.

Answer: Tomato farming can be a profitable business, but it depends on various factors, such as the cost of production, market demand, price, and the scale of the operation. The profitability also depends on the location and climate, where regions with an ideal environment for growing tomatoes and low cost of production can be more profitable. It’s essential for farmers to consider these factors, produce high-quality tomatoes, stay up-to-date with market conditions and trends, and adapt to changes to run a profitable tomato farming business.

How many years does it take to grow a tomato?

Answer:  The time it takes for tomatoes to be harvested can vary depending on the variety, with some taking as little as 60 days and others taking over 100 days. Gardeners generally opt for using small starter plants or transplants rather than seeds, as tomatoes’ long growing season and late planting date make it more practical. This task is completed when spring weather arrives and temperatures rise.

How many times can you grow tomatoes in a year?

Answer:  Tomatoes are warm-season crops usually planted in spring and harvested in summer or early fall. However, depending on the climate and growing conditions, it is possible to grow tomatoes more than once a year. Regions with milder temperatures and longer growing seasons may be able to grow tomatoes year-round, while others may have a second harvest in fall. Tomatoes can be grown indoors throughout the year in a controlled environment like greenhouses or hydroponic systems. Still, the yield and quality may be lower than in outdoor conditions.

What month do you plant tomatoes?

Answer:  Tomatoes thrive in warm weather and require ample sunlight to grow. They prefer temperatures between 70-75°F (21-24°C) for optimal growth. For optimal outcomes, it is advisable to sow seeds indoors, within a sheltered environment, sometime between March and April. The ideal time to harvest would be from July to September.

What is the best time of day to water tomato plants?

Answer:  Watering tomatoes early in the morning is optimal as it gives the leaves a chance to dry before the heat of the day, reducing the risk of diseases and burning of the plants.

What are the costs associated with setting up a tomato farm?

Answer:  The costs of setting up a tomato farm include purchasing land, equipment, seeds or transplants, irrigation and drainage systems, and labor.

What are the best varieties of tomatoes to grow for commercial production?

Answer:  Some popular varieties of tomatoes for commercial production include “Roma,” “Beefsteak,” and “Cherry.” These varieties are known for their high yield and disease resistance.

How do you properly prepare the soil for tomato cultivation?

Answer:  To prepare your garden for tomato plants, incorporate compost or aged manure into your beds by digging it in deeply. Dig a 2-foot deep, 3-foot diameter hole for the tomatoes’ roots to grow outwards and downwards. It’s best to use aged or composted manure when amending the soil in the springtime.

What is the ideal climate for growing tomatoes?

Answer:  To survive, tomato plants need temperatures between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the minimum range for their growth. However, different varieties of tomatoes may have other temperature requirements. You must check the plant tags for information on your planting types. Tomatoes do not produce fruit at temperatures over 85 degrees and may struggle to develop color in hot weather.

How do you properly plant, care for, and harvest tomatoes?

Answer:  Proper planting, care, and harvest of tomatoes involve preparing the soil, planting seedlings or transplants, providing adequate irrigation and fertilization, controlling pests and diseases, and harvesting at the proper stage of ripeness.

How do you ensure proper irrigation and drainage for tomatoes?

Answer: Drip irrigation can effectively grow tomatoes that balance high-yield and high-quality fruit while being environmentally friendly and water-efficient. According to Bo et al. (2021a), it can reduce the pressure on the environment associated with horticultural production. Bo et al. (2021b) also found that it can save water.

What are the initial steps to starting a tomato farming business?

Answer:  Starting a tomato farming business involves researching and choosing a farming location, obtaining financing, purchasing equipment and supplies, and obtaining any necessary permits or licenses.

I am Gaushoul Agam

𝐂𝐨-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐄𝐎 ToAgriculture

I am an experienced Horticulture Officer in the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh. I am committed to improving agriculture and farming.

I created ToAgriculture to address global food safety concerns. These concerns are caused by a growing population, diminishing farmland, and the impact of climate change on a griculture . I assist readers in learning modern farming techniques.

I also help them control pests and diseases. Additionally, I guide managing agriculture sustainably. All of this is aimed at creating a better and more successful future in farming.

I have experience in field crops and horticulture crops. I know about fruit and vegetable farming, managing pests and diseases, irrigation, and grafting. Come with me as I share my knowledge and experiences to help you create a better future.

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Tomato Farming: Business Plan, Cost, Revenue and Profit

April 4, 2022

To grow tomato, you need to assess and analyse the expected cost, expected revenue and expected profit. This can only be done by writing a business plan.

This post shows a business plan for tomato farming in Nigeria. It shows all the factors you need to consider including the financial implication before you start your tomato farming venture.

Cost, Revenue and Profit Analysis of a One Hectare Tomato Farm (₦)

Farm set-up for one hectare of tomato farming venture.

NOTES/ASSUMPTIONS

The profit analyses above were done using three scenarios (best case, mid case and worst case).

Drip Irrigation : N625,000 is taken as the cost of drip irrigation per hectare. You can get the drip irrigation kits from us.

Fertilizers : Whilst N200,000 is taken as the total cost to be spent on fertilizer per hectare. You should note that the volume and type of fertilizers to use will depend on the result of your soil analysis. If you have a soil with good nutrients, you may spend less on fertilizers. If your soil is poor and spent, you may spend more on fertilisers.

Pesticides : N70,000 is expected to be spent on pesticides (fungicides, insecticides and nematicides) per hectare of tomato. This figure can increase or decrease as per the intensity of pest and disease pressure.

Sales Revenue : The price of tomato goes through a cycle every year in Nigeria. At some times of the year, the price can increase by as much as 300%. For example, a 60kg basket of tomatoes can go for N20,000 between June and July in Mile 12 market, Lagos. Between January and February, same basket of tomatoes can go for as low as N5,000 per basket in Lagos.

I have assumed that if you implement good agronomic practices, you are expected to harvest up to 500 baskets of tomatoes (50-60 kg basket) per hectare. This is about 25-30 tonnes per hectare. Some farmers in Nigeria do well above this yield per hectare.

Manure : The soil in sub-Saharan Africa is not rich in nutrients. There is a misconception that the soil in Nigeria is rich in nutrients and organic matter, this is not true, except for newly deforested land. Chicken manure is advised to be added to your soil before farming. N50,000 is expected to be spent on chicken manure. You can however get it free of charge from some poultry farms.

Hybrid Seeds : N120,000 is taken as the cost of hybrid seeds per hectare. Please note that this cost can vary as per your location and the variety of hybrid tomato seeds you want to plant. If you use open pollinated tomato seeds like Roma, the cost is lesser but it has a lesser yield too.

Cost of Labour : N240,000 is taken as the cost of labour throughout the term of the tomato farm. This can be lower or higher as per your location and other factors. You can also use machines to reduce your need for human labour.

Knapsack Sprayer : One knapsack sprayer is N5,000 while the cost of a motorized sprayer is N150,000.

Farm Tools : The cost of other farm tools is expected to be N10,000.

Business Description of Tomato Farming

Tomato farming is planting of tomato seeds, transplanting and managing the tomato plants till they fruit and the farmer harvests. The cycle ends when the farmer sells his tomatoes in the market. Tomatoes can be sold in the open markets in Nigeria like the Mile 12 market in Lagos; they can also be sold in the more organized markets like Shoprite, Spar and hotels etc.

Market Trend : The huge population of Nigeria is a plus for tomato farming. Almost all Nigerians consume tomatoes directly or indirectly every day. Tomatoes are used in making foods, soups and other edibles in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, I have never seen a Nigeria who says he does not eat tomatoes.

All through the year, the demand for tomatoes is fairly constant, however during the festive seasons in Nigeria, the demand for tomatoes skyrocket. The supply of tomatoes significantly reduces during the months of April to August because farmers in the north where a lot of tomatoes are farmed do not grow this crop during these months. Prices of tomatoes increase by as much as 200% during the months of April – August.

Target Market: The largest market for the supply of tomatoes in Nigeria is the Mile 12 market in Lagos. About 500 trucks of tomatoes are offloaded in this market every day. Other open markets in Nigeria also sell a lot of tomatoes, often in 50-60kg baskets.

A tomato farmer can also target the more organized market like shoprite, spar and hotels. The organized market has a more attractive market than the open market.

Competitive Analysis: A lot of farmers grow tomatoes in Nigeria. Ven a lot of people grow tomatoes in their home gardens. The good thing for a tomato farming investor is that 80% of tomato farmers in Nigeria do not get it right. They often get low yields because they do not use good agronomic practices. A lot of tomato farmers in Nigeria do not even use drip irrigation, they use old practices that are alien to modern science.

Cultivating tomatoes with the use of new technologies like drip irrigation can enable farmers to cultivate the crop all year round, especially during the lean months of April – August. Drip irrigation can enable a tomato farmer to make a huge profit.

Sales and Marketing Strategy

You need a sound sales and marketing strategy if you want to make good money from tomato farming in Nigeria. The sales and marketing strategy to use will depend on the market you want to sell your produce.

If a tomato farmer wants to sell in the open market in Nigeria, he has to use agents who will help him sell and charge a commission of 5-10%. The farmer can also sell himself in some open markets in Nigeria.

A tomato farmer who wishes to sell in supermarkets and hotels may use digital marketing techniques to give his produce better mileage. He can also do direct marketing.

Please note that this is not a financial advice, the onus is on you to do your own research before venturing into the business of planting of tomato.

If you need a business plan or feasibility study about tomato farming in Nigeria, you can contact us on [email protected] .

I really appreciate your write up it is very rich. I will be more grateful if you can help me with cost of setting up of standard green house on half actre of land.

Can I get an updated version for 2023. I love your write up

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Free Agriculture Sample Business Plan PDF + How to Write

Elon Glucklich

6 min. read

Updated February 7, 2024

Free Download:  Agriculture Business Plan Template

As a farmer, you’re in the business of putting food on the table. Agriculture is one of the world’s oldest professions.

Today it accounts for over 5% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, and 1 in 10 American workers are in agriculture, food, and related industries.

But starting a new agriculture business requires intensive planning and upfront preparation. If you’re looking for a free, downloadable agriculture sample business plan PDF to help you create a business plan of your own, look no further.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to find a sample business plan that exactly matches your farm. Whether you’re launching a larger agricultural business outside a bustling city or a smaller organic operation, the details will be different, but the foundation of the plan will be the same. 

Are you writing a business plan for your farm because you’re seeking a loan? Is your primary concern outlining a clear path for sales growth? Either way, you’re going to want to edit and customize it so it fits your particular farm. 

No two agriculture farming businesses are alike.

For example, your strategy will be very different if you’re a dairy operation instead of a soybean farm. So take the time to create your own financial forecasts and do enough market research for your specific type of agriculture so you have a solid plan for success. 

• What should you include in an agriculture farm business plan?

Your agriculture business plan doesn’t need to be hundreds of pages—keep it as short and focused as you can. You’ll probably want to include each of these sections: 

1. Executive summary

An overview of your agriculture business, with a brief description of your products or services, your legal structure, and a snapshot of your future plans. While it’s the first part of the plan, it’s often easier to write your executive summary last.

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2. Business summary and funding needs

Details about your farming operation, including how much capital you will need and the types of funding you’re considering. Include your business history, your current state, and your future projections. It should also cover your business location, the equipment and facilities needed, and the kinds of crops or livestock you plan to raise.

3. Products and services

Provide details on the types of crops, farming methods, and any value-added products you plan to offer, such as finished goods or even  agritourism offerings .

4. Marketing plan

Compile your market research findings, including the demand for your products or services, your target customers , and your competitors. It should also outline your marketing strategy—how you plan to attract and retain customers. 

5. Financial plan

Your revenue projections, cost estimates, and break-even analysis. Your financial plan and forecasts should demonstrate that your business has a path to profitability.

• Building on your farm business plan sample

With a free agriculture business plan template as your starting point, you can start chipping away at the unique elements of your business plan.

As the business owner, only you can speak to aspects of your agriculture operation like your mission and core values.

You’re putting in the long hours to start a thriving farm business, so aspects of your mission – like a commitment to sustainable farming practices – will be best explained in your own words. Authenticity will help you connect with a growing market of consumers who value transparency and environmental stewardship in their food sources.

As for more conventional aspects of business planning , you will want to take on things like your marketing and financial plans one at a time. Here are a few specific areas to focus on when writing your business plan.

Invest time in market research

Starting an agriculture operation requires significant startup costs. When you throw in the unique land use considerations involved, it’s crucial to conduct thorough market research before investing hundreds of thousands – or even millions – of dollars into a farm business.

Start by researching the types of farms operating in your locality and wider region, and the specific crops or livestock they specialize in. You will need to understand seasonal trends, including crop yields and livestock productivity.

Note the demographics of the local community to understand their buying habits and preference for local produce. Also, be aware of the competitive landscape and how your farm can differentiate itself from others. All of this information will inform your service, pricing, marketing, and partnership strategy.

From there, you can outline how you plan to reach your target market and promote your farm’s offerings.

Craft your agriculture go-to-market strategy

One of the things that makes an agriculture farm business plan different from some service-based business plans is that you might decide to work only with one or two businesses that purchase your goods.  

You may offer different tiers of products to different types of buyers, such as produce for an organic farmers market, and corn for another farm’s animal feed. If that’s the case, make sure you include ideas like setting aside land for organic growth and maintenance.

Discuss your advertising and promotional strategies, emphasizing channels relevant to your target market. Also, consider how partnerships with local businesses, farmers’ markets, and other industry stakeholders can enhance your visibility.

Include your pricing strategy and any special promotions or loyalty programs. Also, consider public relations and media outreach efforts that can raise awareness about your farm and its sustainable practices.

Prepare for unique farming challenges

Running an agricultural business comes with its own set of challenges, including weather-related disruptions and market volatility. Your business plan should identify these potential risks and present contingency plans to address them.

Include a plan to mitigate weather-related risks, such as crop diversification, employing weather-resistant farming practices, investing in appropriate infrastructure like greenhouses or drainage systems, or taking out insurance to cover weather-related losses.

Detail the operational aspects of your business , including land ownership, employee status, farm maintenance, and safety requirements. Also, illustrate your strategies for managing crop production, livestock care, land stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

Plan for the future

Contingency planning is important in all businesses.

But the unique challenges in agriculture of changing market dynamics, regulatory changes, and climate impacts make it especially necessary to plan for the future. Detail how you’ll measure success, and how you will be prepared to adapt your offerings if you need to change the focus of the business due to factors outside your control.

Also, be ready to discuss opportunities for scaling your business over time, such as introducing new crops, expanding farm operations, or opening additional locations.

• Get started with your farm business plan sample

There are obviously plenty of reasons farm owners can benefit from writing a business plan — for example, you’ll need one if you’re seeking a loan or investment. Even if you’re not seeking funding, the process of thinking through every aspect of your business will help you make sure you’re not overlooking anything critical as you grow.

Download this  agriculture farm sample business plan PDF  for free right now, or visit  Bplans’ gallery of more than 550 sample business plans  if you’re looking for more options.

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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Processing of tomatoes consists of canning, freezing, dehydration and juice production. Tomatoes are processed into tomato sauce, whole pealed, tomato and onion bruises, paste, shredded, puree and paste concentrate. This article will outline how to start the tomato farming business, and the tomato farming business plan - PDF, Word and Excel.

A Sample Tomato Farming Business Plan Template. 1. Industry Overview. Tomato farming is a niche idea in the Hydroponics and Vegetable farming industry and operators in this industry grow a wide variety of vegetables in open fields and in greenhouses. But in actual sense, when it comes to commercial cultivation of tomatoes, hydroponic technique ...

Read Also: [Pdf Sample] Business Plan For Bell Pepper Farming Docx Marketing and Sales Strategies. To succeed in the tomato farming business, effective marketing and sales strategies are vital. This section explores various marketing channels, including local markets, supermarkets, restaurants, and online platforms.

This business plan provides a blueprint for how to start and manage your Tomato Farm business. Our detailed research and analysis, including interviews with entrepreneurs and stakeholders, will ensure that you plan your future business for success. A business plan is used for various purposes including to (a) Raise funding from investors ...

Read Also: [Pdf Sample] Business Plan For Bell Pepper Farming Docx Tomato Cultivation Techniques. This section will outline the cultivation techniques you will employ in your greenhouse. Discuss seed selection, propagation methods, irrigation systems, nutrient management, pest and disease control, and harvesting techniques.Emphasize sustainable and organic practices to attract environmentally ...

Successful tomato farming requires proper training, skills, and knowledge. So, try to complete a training before starting commercial production. Step 2. Make A Business Plan. A good and effective business plan helps to run your business smoothly. So, try to make a business plan before starting and try to include everything in your plan.

A step-by-step guide to starting a Tomato farm business plan for beginners. Step 1: Business goals. Step 2: Market research. Step 3: Business plan. Step 4: Business identity. Step 5: Marketing. Tomato yield per hectare. Conclusion. Tomato is one of the world's most essential and widely grown food crops.

4. Know When to Plant Tomato Seedlings. Late spring or early summer is a good time to plant tomato seeds. Mid-March to early April seedlings should be about 3 to 4 inches tall before you transplant them. 5. Find and Develop the Ideal Tomato Crop Terrain. Warmer soil is best for root development.

Address the legal requirements for starting a tomato farming business in your region, including permits, licenses, and compliance with agricultural regulations. 2. Tomato Cultivation Process. a. Land preparation for Tomato Farming: You must prepare the land to a fine tilth by thorough ploughing or digging 2 - 3 times.

Contents-Table-Tomato-Farming-Business-Plan.pdf - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. This document outlines a business plan for a tomato farming operation. It details the mission, objectives, and keys to success of starting the farm. It provides information on the types of tomatoes that will be grown, land and soil requirements, planting periods, and ...

Jun 2015 - May 2017. The purpose of Phase 2 is to put our model into action by scaling the nucleus farm, constructing a tomato paste manufacturing facility, and building out the farmer network using the Dami system to provide a constant source of tomatoes for paste. Phase 3: Scale for Growth. Jun 2017 - May 2019.

Tomato farming involves various costs such as land preparation, irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other inputs. According to a research article, It was estimated that tomatoes growing in the USA cost $6,057 per hectare. Land Preparation. Land preparation is an essential step in tomato farming.

You can buy seed by the piece with lower costs per unit for larger quantities and higher costs for smaller quantities. Tomato seeds are very small; one-fifth of an ounce contains about 1,200 seeds. If you have a two-bay greenhouse (4,500 square feet) with about 550 plants per bay, this is enough seed.

This document outlines a business plan for a tomato farming venture using greenhouse technology. The plan involves establishing one greenhouse tunnel on a piece of land near Kisumu, Kenya. The greenhouse method will provide high yields, reduced disease and labor costs, and consistent production. The venture aims to produce 6 tons of tomatoes annually to sell locally to hotels, markets ...

Cost of Labour: N240,000 is taken as the cost of labour throughout the term of the tomato farm. This can be lower or higher as per your location and other factors. You can also use machines to reduce your need for human labour. Knapsack Sprayer: One knapsack sprayer is N5,000 while the cost of a motorized sprayer is N150,000.

At the optimum soil or growth media temperatures of 20 to 30 ̊C it will take tomato seeds 6 -8 days to germinate. At temperatures ranges of 0-5 ̊C, 40 ̊C and above no germination is expected with seed being dormant. Table 2: The effect of soil temperature on seedling emergence. Soil Temperatures ( ̊C) 0. 5.

You'll probably want to include each of these sections: 1. Executive summary. An overview of your agriculture business, with a brief description of your products or services, your legal structure, and a snapshot of your future plans. While it's the first part of the plan, it's often easier to write your executive summary last. Brought to ...

gency fund to address unforeseen circumstances.Operational Plan:Our operational plan encompasses all aspects of tomato greenhouse farming, including planting, i. rigation, pest management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. We will develop standard operating procedures to ens. re consistent quality and eficiency in every stage of production ...

The document outlines a business plan for a tomato farming venture using greenhouse technology. The plan involves establishing one greenhouse tunnel on a piece of land near Kisumu, Kenya to grow tomatoes. Key aspects of the plan include using a greenhouse system to increase yields, reduce disease and labor costs. The venture aims to supply tomatoes to hotels, markets, schools and retailers in ...

1 main use of the product (dried, fresh, for direct use or sale) 2 months in which sowing and planting takes place. 3 annual rainfall in mm. 4 the dry months. 5 minimum and maxi mum temperat ures ...

A tomato cultivation field during the off-season. Rice is grown until September, when the rainy season ends. A field in which cultivation of tomatoes was planned (Saint-Louis). This is after rice was harvested, but it is not plowed even two weeks before planned planting. Common nursery bed (Saint-Louis).

towards reduced tomato production. Figure 1. Tomato production in Moldova (2005-2010), tons Source: Data from Moldova's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry Expert 2011, ACED calculations Out of the total production in 2010, 53,334 tons (93% of total production) were sold fresh and 3,896 tons were processed.

Business plan tomato production Ndola Zimbabwe.pdf - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. The Chipulukusu Vegetable Growers (CVG) cooperative aims to produce and market graded and packaged tomatoes from 100 farmers. Farmers will grow and initially sort tomatoes before delivering to CVG for final grading, packing, and transportation to buyers.

tomato_EcoPhage in or on all food or feed commodities. The petitioner believes no analytical method is needed because this petition requests an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance without numerical limitations. Contact: BPPD. D. Notice of Filing—New Tolerances for Non-Inerts 1. PP 4E9104. EPA-HQ-OPP-2024- 0200.

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WATCH: Queen Elizabeth was the first British monarch to visit Russia

Queen Elizabeth II, photographed in 1993. RollingNews

On Oct 17, 1994, Queen Elizabeth II became the first ruling British monarch to set foot on Russian soil.

As the eyes of the world are on Russia and the invasion of Ukraine, which has caused I migration of refugees unlike anything seen since World War II, we thought it interesting to look back at the October 1994 of Queen Elizabeth II to the Kremlin, by invitation of the then Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

In 1994 the Queen made a three-day visit to Russia. Three years before had seen the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Yeltsin took office. His hope was that Her Royal Majesty's visit would strengthen the trade relationship with Britain and the Western World. 

Yeltsin's spokesman, Vyacheslav Kostikov, said at the time "We realize that the British queen would never have visited a Communist country."

• History of "God Save the King", Britain's National Anthem

Personally, 1994 was also a difficult time for the Queen personally as her son, Prince Charles, had separated from Princess Diana, just two years earlier. A biography of the Prince, by Jonathan Dimbleby, had caused a media frenzy over comments made by Charles with relation to his relationship with his mother and father, Prince Philip. 

The Queen and Prince Philip landed in Moscow on Oct 17, 1994. They were then taken to the Kremlin where they were greeted by Yeltsin and his wife, Naina. The Royal pair were also treated to a special performance of the Bolshoi Ballet.

The climax of the tour was a state banquet given on the final evening by the Queen aboard the royal yacht Britannia which had sailed to St. Petersburg to meet the royal party. 

They left Russia on Oct 20 and broke the journey home by visiting Finland. 

Since 1994 some members of the Royal family have visited Russia, including Princess Anne. She visited in 2016 to mark the 75th anniversary of the first Arctic convoys from the United Kingdom during World War II. Prince Charles also Russia in 2003. This visit resulted in a return invitation to President Vladimir Putin to visit Britain later that year.

Check out some AP footage of the Queen having dinner at the Kremlin:

Related: Queen Elizabeth II

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