The Contribution of Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC) Musanze in Creating Valuable Uses to Tomato Crop Farm-Leftovers

Abstract

The study was carried out to identify potential value addition to tomato crop farm-leftovers and investigate their existing end-uses to suggest a collaboration model between tomato farmers in Nkotsi Sector and IPRC Musanze. The findings confirmed that the tomato crop stems are the main type of tomato crop farm-leftovers found on the farm, leaves and roots are also present in minor quantities. Those farm-leftovers are mainly used for compost making, some remain unused at farm level, and few are used for feeding animals. For whatever destination, the tomato crop farm-leftovers do not generate any cash to farmers, and unfortunately, 91% of farmers are not aware of crop farm-leftovers negative effects. All respondents know the IPRC Musanze, and 59% of them recognize its community outreach activities. However, 97% of farmers do not have any previous collaboration with the college even though they show willingness for future collaboration. 62% of interviewed IPRC Musanze TVET trainers revealed limited advanced tomatoes farming activities in the area, and crop farm-leftovers negative effects. A collaboration model between farmers and the college is designed as a new way of working to boost tomato farming in the area as well as improving the quality of TVET training offered by the college. The stable relations, trust, shared problem, resources, planned joint activities and their execution are the elements of the proposed model. Therefore, technical training, joint applied research and innovation activities, joint problem-solving initiatives were suggested as the starting point for the proposed model.

Keywords: Tomato crop, farm-leftover, TVET, collaboration

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-3-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2021