The cucumber is a member of the Cucurbitaceae or gourd plant family. The question of whether cucumbers are vegetables or fruits is quite common. Botanically, cucumbers fall under the fruit category. Whether they are fruits or vegetables, cucumbers are very popular among Nigerians as we add them to different foods and salads.
Do you know that you can make a fortune from cucumber farming in Nigeria? Agriculture used to be the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. While the country is depending on crude oil, more people are finding their way back to the farm. If you are considering cucumber farming in Nigeria, this post will show you how to start.
How to Start Cucumber Farming in Nigeria
The human body can enjoy loads of benefits from consuming cucumber. This fruit helps protect the body against cancer and is great for skin irritations and treating diabetes. It is also perfect for rehydrating the body and dealing with bad breath. With all these benefits in mind, one begins to see the profitability of investing in cucumber farming in Nigeria.
Would you like to start cucumber farming in Nigeria? Continue reading to find out.
Feasibility study
This is usually the first step after conceiving a business idea. You need to gather as much information about cucumbers as you can. Learn about the different species and which ones you can cultivate in your location.
You also need to learn about the market. Who are your potential customers? Who are your competitors? What are the competitors doing? Are there any government regulations regarding cucumber farming in Nigeria? If yes, what are they?
Do as much research as possible before you dive into this business. Use this information to write a detailed business plan. A good business plan can help you source funds for your business. It also acts as a map to guide you and other stakeholders in your cucumber farming business.
Source Capital
Capital is the money and equipment you need to start a business, in this case, cucumber farming. You need the money to purchase the land for cultivation and hire hands to assist you in cultivation. Also, you need funds to purchase or rent machinery that will make the farming process easier and faster.
There are a few ways to raise capital in this part of the world. The most popular include:
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Personal savings.
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Bank loans.
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Government grants.
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Angel investors.
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Gifts and loans from loved ones.
Figure out which method works best for you and chase after it as quickly as you can. If you are seeking loans from banks or government grants, then you need a detailed business plan.
Find a suitable land for cultivation
Land is the chief raw material you need to engage in cucumber farming in Nigeria. The best kind of land for cucumber farming is one with rich humid soil that provides access to a healthy amount of daily sunshine.
Choose a land that satisfies the conditions above. Also, ensure that there is a means of getting water to the land for irrigation during the dry season. This is very necessary if you want to cultivate your cucumber all through the year. If you don’t have the means to irrigate the land, then you should consider land in an area with a good amount of rainfall.
Prepare the land and plant your seeds
The first step to preparing your land for cucumber farming is to rid the land of unwanted plants. Clear the area of bushes and till the soil to prepare the beds. If you will like to use fertilizer or local manure, consider mixing either with the soil while tilling. You can leave the land for a few days after this to get it ready for planting.
Plant your cucumber by placing a few seeds into holes that are about 2.5 cm deep. Ensure that you plant seeds 50 cm apart to create sufficient space between plants. This way, they don’t struggle for nutrients and survival. Also, ensure that the beds are not too close to allow for human traffic within the farm.
Harvesting and selling your cucumbers
One of the biggest benefits of cucumber farming is that they are ready for harvesting between 50 to 70 days after planting. This means that you can harvest your cucumbers within 3 months of planting.
Harvesting your cucumbers is one step of the way. The ultimate part of this process is selling the cucumbers. Ensure that you have a ready market for your products before you harvest. You can take the cucumbers to the local market or package them and deliver them to supermarkets around you. Alternatively, you can cut deals with restaurants, hotels, and other businesses that need cucumbers to supply them at affordable prices.
Profitability of Cucumber Farming in Nigeria
Cucumber farming in Nigeria is a highly profitable venture. Wondering how? Let’s break it down for you in this section.
If you plant cucumbers on an acre of land, it should yield 500 bags of cucumbers in 3 months. A bag of cucumbers weighs about 40 kg and sells for between N4,000 and N10,000 in the market depending on the time of the year.
Imagine you sold 500 bags at N6,000 each, you will get N3 million in revenue. By the time you take out all the funds that you put in, which shouldn’t exceed N1 million to N1.5 million depending on your location, can you guess your profit? You should be making between N1.5 million and N2 million as your profit in just 3 months of farming.
Now, try out these figures on a piece of land that you prefer to farm, depending on your capital. Anyhow you look at it, cucumber farming in Nigeria is very profitable as long as you put in the effort and follow the right procedures.
Conclusion
That’s it for how to start cucumber farming in Nigeria. This post has explained the process and also shown you the profitability of cucumber farming in Nigeria. Feel free to drop your questions in the comments section if you have any.