One of the approaches used used as a building block is graftiing, which is done through, scientific fruit plant propagation and conducting innovative top-wedge grafting of (tree tomato) tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) terminal bud stick scion into its poisonous wild relative bug weed rootstock tolerant to drought and resistant to soil borne diseases and pests as well as having longer roots than tamarillo and stronger.
Training of beneficiaries in vocational skill related to fruit tree production.
Enabling factors include:
1. Availability of grafting materials includung scions and root stocks.
2. Appropriate grafting operator skills and techniques.
3. Propagation and labour.
4. Trainers availability.
5. Availability of beneficiaries / trainees, and innovator presence.
Lessons learnt:
1. Most beneficiaries do not know the relationship between tamarillo and bug weed.
2. Bugweed has long roots compared to tamarillo. Some of the bug weed root go deeper horizons in the ground e.g 3.6 metres deep compared to tamarillo roots that go to 0.75metres in the ground.
3. Bugweed plant is ever green through out the year.
4. Bug weed is poisonous to human, animals and enviroment.
5. Tree tomato can produce over 800 fruits per year.
6. Few customers grow tree tomatos