Abstract:
Tomato production is one of the key activities among farmers in Kyeni-South Ward, contributing
significantly towards food security and rural economic development. The study was carried out in
kyeni south ward Embu County to determine factors influencing tomato prices. Primary data was
collected through formal interviews and questionnaires included household and production
characteristics, markets information and social capita, seasonably and climate changes and the
distance from household to market. The researcher interviewed buyers to provide information on
prices and farmer-market relations. Descriptive model was used to analyze the determinants of
market prices. The study analyzed the significant factors that exert influence tomato prices on the
market.as well as the change of the market information to the farmers and customers and other
factors like perishability, preference to customer, quality and middle-men, but there was no proper
way discovered by the farmers of Kyeni South Ward on how to come against these problems. The
study revealed that both formal and informal markets are accessible but about 80% use formal
markets, and tomato price was the major determinant of the tomato market prices. The results
showed that formal market such as farmer market offer great prospects for the development of
communal farmers. The study recommended to the farmers that the effective mechanisms for
collaboration and linkages and invest in market intelligence for them to improve their livelihood.
