Some decrease has been the result of increased yields. Gross margin per ha for watermelon variety charleston gray in embu area of kenya is kenya shillings 8,409 airc, 2003. Work the compost or organic slowrelease fertilizer into the top soil. If using such techniques, temperatures low enough to injure watermelon are not uncommon in late april in oklahoma. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted in the selection of ninety farmers from the chosen local governments. Profitable watermelon farming in kenya returns a profit of about 10 times the initial investment with an average of 30 tons per acre with a kilo selling for as low as ksh 10 then the return is ksh 400000. Watermelon features a highly branching taproot extending up to 1 m deep into the soil. Very good information what about the pdf ebook for farmers. The volume describes 24 littleknown indigenous african cultivated and wild fruits that have potential as food and cashcrops but are typically overlooked by scientists, policymakers, and the world at large. Morphological characterization of some wild and cultivated. Watermelons grow best on soils that hold water well and have good air and water infiltration rates.
Make ksh 500,000 per acre in 3 months from water melon fruit. Learn how to grow watermelon, watermelon cultivation practices, varieties, season, pests and watermelon plant diseases etc. The watermelon farming business in kenya is guaranteed to reap you bit returns. If you live in warmer climes, you can sow seeds directly outdoors, but wait until the soil temperature warms to at least 70f to avoid. The best average temperature range for watermelon production during the growing season is between 18c and 35c. Yields of 20,000 to 40,000 pounds per acre are common. This book is the third in a series evaluating underexploited african plant resources that could help broaden and secure africas food supply. Dec 04, 2018 we planted watermelon seeds on decmber 23rd 2017 and 1st jan 2018 the plants grown out from soil. With local demand unsatisfied, its potential for export can not be realized. Watermelon performs better under warm temperatures and the optimum temperature range for production is 22. One bite into a sweet, juicy watermelon can brighten a gloomy day. Watermelon production manual modern agriculture farming in. If numerous bees are not vigorously working watermelon flowers, two bee hives per acre is recommended.
Watermelon is ninetytwo percent water, making it the ideal fruit when it is hot and one is thirsty. Watermelon has a high water requirement and 400 600 mm of rainfall well distributed throughout the growing period is required temperature. Watermelon farming in kenya, watermelon tips and varieties guide. In this article, we will learn how to farm watermelon in kenya. Watermelons prefer a hot, dry climate with mean daily temperatures. Dec 11, 2017 watermelon cultivation can be done as an intercrop or as a standalone watermelon farm. He ventured into it after learning about the high demand of watermelon in 20. Pdf on jan 1, 20, raman ramesh and others published watermelon production guidelines. Find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The cultivation process in watermelon farming is quite complicated as you need to plant the seedlings in a specific way to give them better space to germinate. Commercial production and management of pumpkins and gourds.
With high yields, short maturity period and ready market, commercial watermelon farming is being embraced by kenyan farmers as high return cash crop. Japan international cooperation agency jica kenya office. Today, watermelon is cultivated all over the world on all five continents. Watermelon citrullus lanatus belongs to the cucurbitaceae family and is a. In fact, if not managed, it can cause up to 80% crop loss. To provide a guideline on production of watermelon. Watermelon can be grown in altitudes up to 1,500 m above sea level rainfall. Davis onyango, a in homa bay county, has found greener pastures in watermelon production, making a tidy sum from growing the juicy crop. More plants competing for the same amount of water and nutrients will lead to poorly formed watermelons. Common watermelon varieties in kenya vsukari f1 kenya seeds company. It looks at things like planting, weeding, pests and. The study examined the economic analysis of watermelon based production system in oyo state, nigeria.
Production requirements waert meol n productionr equiresa longan dw arm growngi season. Watermelon farming in kenya and all you need to know. Watermelon is frost sensitive and are monoecious both male and female flowers are produced on the. Watermelons can be grown on any welldrained soil throughout georgia but are particularly well adapted to the coastal plain soils of south georgia. Because watermelons have such a high water content, too many plants in one mound will lead to poor fruit production. In kenya, it is done mostly in hot regions like makueni, machakos, kajiado and the. This condition has been noted in several watermelon fields with ph ranges at 5,8 or slightly higher when the crop was planted flat.
They provide a good refreshing taste especially during hot days when you want to cool off. Before the end of this article, you will learn the exact step by step process which successful watermelon farmers use to increase their yield. It is the lycopene leader red pigment that occurs naturally in certain plants among fresh produce and has a number of health benefits. Watermelon is propagated by seeds, directly planted in the field or raised in the nursery before transplanting. One of the biggest challenges in farming watermelon in kenya is controlling the melon fly. Watermelon farming, cultivation information guide agri farming. Production costs associated with watermelon farming in kenya are unbelievably low. Then mound the soil into small hills spaced about 100 cm apart. The hard cover also helps in preservationyou dont have to worry about rushing the produce to the market like tomato and pilipili hoho farmers. Acreage for watermelon is the largest for a vegetable crop in oklahoma. The watermelon fruit is generally composed of water. Watermelon farming in kenya in 2020 is a very lucrative agribusiness, watermelons not only do well in the marginal belts with low rainfall, you also have 2 seasons an year which can double your earnings. Known to reduce stress by researchers watermelons have benefits like reducing fatigue.
The yield of watermelon varies according to the system of cultivation, season and several other factors. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes. Farmers prefer sukari f1 watermelon farming in kenya because of the fruits short maturity period eighty to ninety days and its sweetness. When planting the watermelon seed, each hole for the watermelon seedling needs to be 1 foot deep and over 1. Watermelons are planted on flat beds 2 m wide and 20 cm to 30 cm high. However, watermelon production in kenya falls far below its demand making the fruit expensive and only affordable to rich people. With high yields, short maturity period and ready market, commercial watermelon farming is being embraced by kenyan farmers as high return. Commercial production and management of pumpkins and gourds edited by william terry kelley, extension horticulturist, and david b. Early to midmorning is the best time to monitor bee activity. Watermelon grows as a vine that sends out long runners along the ground. This is a huge profit in the space of just 3 months. For transplants, a single drip irrigation tape is laid 15 cm to 20 cm.
It can be round, oblong or spherical in shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. Watermelon farming greenlife crop protection africa. Watermelon farming is popular in kenya because the fruit is in high demand during hot seasons. Watermelons are sensitive to cold temperatures, and even a mild frost can severely injure the crop. Therefore you need to prepare soil adding compost or rotted manure. Watermelon has been marginally competitive in the 2000 to 2003 production seasons as a vegetable crop. Demand of watermelon in kenya is higher than production, making the fruit. The fruit is popular in kenya and can be found in any major market. The expenses of watermelons production are pretty low. Starting a watermelon farm sample business plan template. With its origins in the desert of africa, watermelon is a sweet fruit with pink, red, and sometimes yellow flesh, depending on the variety. Watermelon is frost sensitive and are monoecious both male and female flowers are produced on the same plant. Watermelon farming in kenya 2020 watermelon growing.
Watermelon farming emanual on sale agroenvironment initiative. Economic analysis of watermelon based production system in. Watermelon is popular in kenya because the fruit is in high demand during hot seasons. Water melon fruits are normally planted in hills with a spacing of 1.
Watermelon farming in kenya in 2020 is a very lucrative. After thinning and sidedressing, furrows are reformed to the condition prior to. The fruit has a hard and fleshy outer rind, making it immune to most farm pests. The best average temperature range for watermelon production during the growing season is between 65f and 95f.
On feb 5th it started to flowering and feb 20 fruits started to grow. Hybrid breeds produce the best results, and their seeds are readily available in local markets as well as the kenya seed company. It is ninetytwo percent water, making it the ideal fruit when it is hot and one is thirsty. Commercial watermelon production 1 watermelon is a warmseason crop related to cantaloupe, squash, cucumber and pumpkin. The over 92 percent water in the fruit serves as a great refreshment to quench thirst. Production for more information on early planting techniques.
Watermelon is related to the cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin, and other plants that also grow on vines on the ground. It has a high demand, which makes it a profitable fruit to grow. The average fruit yield varies from 2530 tons per acre. Wellstructured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics and other relevant variables. How to be a profitable watermelon farmer the ultimate. The sukari f1 watermelons are oblongshaped and average between 7 to 8 kilograms. Other varieties grown in kenya include sugar baby, crimson sweet,julie f1 and charleston grey. Watermelons belong to the pumpkin family cucurbitacea with. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. Sep 27, 2015 the watermelon crop requires dry weather with full of sunshine for quality watermelon production. Guide to farming watermelon in kenya for 2020 value magazine.
Cool nights and warm days are ideal for accumulation of sugars in the fruits. This booklet offers you a step by step guide to growing your own watermelons. Cultivation in heavy textured soils results in a slower crop. One acre of land requires approximately 40,000 ksh. Oct 22, 2015 watermelon farming in kenya is what is behind the fruit known for being juicy and sweet.
Although watermelon can be grown in many areas of the state, current major production areas include west central, southcentral and eastern areas. The most popular types of seeds in kenya are sugar baby, ealy scarlet f1, daytona f1, zuri f1, sukari f1 and pato f1. Watermelon farming ecological requirements altitude watermelon. May 17, 2012 land preparation should be carried out early enough to allow thorough soil settling before planting the crop. Popular watermelon seeds in kenya are sugar baby, sukari f1, zuri f1, rose f1, daytona f1, pato f1, ealy scarlet f1 among others. Pdf on may 2, 2015, jim sler and others published watermelon production find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The skin outer cover of the fruit is light green covered. History and background watermelon, citrullus lanatus, is part of the cucurbitaceae family and is thought to have originated in southern arica. Kenyan markets with sugarbaby being the most popular hcda, 2006. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. Watermelon farming is a very profitable agribusiness.
Cucurbitaceae watermelon citrullus lanatus is a warm, longseason crop. In fact, that is the main reason for this watermelon cultivation guide. After thinning and sidedressing, furrows are reformed to the condition prior to furrow irrigation. Roots the watermelon root system formation begins prior to emergence of cotyledons to the soil surface and reaches maximum extension by the time of flowering. But to succeed, you must learn the best farming techniques. Victor bor started out as a wedding planner, a job that gave him access to societys most glamorous ceremonies.
In directseeded plantings, seed is placed 1,2 cm to 1,9 cm deep. In fact, if not managed, it can cause up to 80% crop. Watermelon farming in kenya 2020 watermelon growing 5 years ago admin. Watermelon is a good cash crop in kenya with very good market opportunities, particularly in urban areas. Visit farms near you to understand the ins and outs of the watermelon farming business in kenya. If the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, its ripe.
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