Value addition to tomatoes.

Tomatoes are healthy fruits with massive health benefits as they are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, which is responsible for the deep red color of tomatoes. Food rich in lycopene will give antioxidant and is often associated with boosting our immune system by removing free radicals from our bodies thus decreasing the risk of stroke, lowering our bad cholesterol levels and preventing artery hardening. Tomatoes contain Zeaxanthin,a flavonoid that helps eyes stay healthy and with vitamin A that is found in tomatoes as well will take a good care of eyes if this fruit is eaten regularly. Fresh raw tomatoes are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and some B-complex vitamins, tomatoes are also low in calories as 100 grams of tomatoes have around 18 calories. Tomatoes can be processed to paste,puree and ketchup alongside other products. The tomato market is large and a lot needs to be done to prevent the losses currently experienced from farm to market. Investors in the chain can actually tap into value addition in the form of processing the fruit into other products that are also equally beneficial in terms of health and wealth. Tomato value addition; 1) Tomato juice: I remember this product in my school days, it was always available especially during parties,but it gradually disappeared thanks to sugar flavored drinks. The juice is actually a healthy beverage with a good taste and aroma and a high vitamin content not forgetting the antioxidant effect on our cell. A high quality tomato juice contains 0.4 percent citric acid, 0.5 percent salt and 0.1 percent sugar. 2)Tomato ketchup : this is by far the most common form of processing,with various brands adding specific ingredients to make their products unique.Ketchup is commonly used with snacks and ready-to-eat foods,the chicken and chips delicacy is not complete without it. 3)Tomato paste: this is easy and most convenient for working mums, the tomatoes are cut up and processed into ready to use paste. There is another value addition with the tomato paste,it could actually be blended with pepper and some salt to produce a tomapep product. This is a handy ingredient for homes,eateries,school cafeterias and definitely a travel companion when camping out. 4)Tomato powder: tomatoes can also be dehydrated and grounded into fine powders that can be packaged in cans and sachets. 5)Tomatoes :can also be preserved and processed as dehydrated tomatoes. Tomatoes can be dehydrated and stored for further processing into powder or stored and used as dried tomato slices. Value addition to the tomato fruit cannot be fully explored as so many products can be derived from the tomato,what is required is the plan to cut the losses from site of production to market and then fresh produce to consumers. Investors in this value addition can actually site factories within the cluster of production,or better still farmers could even engage in this value addition by using dehydrators to save the excess tomatoes ,which will now be ready raw material for tomato processing plants. The funny side of tomatoes; see