How to Start a Profitable Watermelon Business in Nigeria?
In this article, I will teach you how to start watermelon farming in Nigeria from farm to market. You will also see the profit in growing watermelons per hectare in Nigeria, the price of watermelon in Nigeria, how to start growing watermelons commercially in Nigeria, and the watermelon yield per hectare in Nigeria.
Agriculture is becoming a major source of income across the country. Although watermelon is not a staple crop, it is still in high demand both within and outside Nigeria. Watermelon is a plant of the genus Citrullus, a melon species. This fruit has green skin and watery flesh that is bright red when ripe and contains black seeds.
I like the idea of entering the watermelon farm because planting to harvest takes about 90 days (3 months), so you can plant and harvest up to 4 times a year. China is currently the world’s largest producer of watermelons.
This is a favorable deal and can serve as a passive income idea that will generate residual income for a lifetime. This is just the beginning, starting watermelon farming in Nigeria is cheaper, and most farmers start with less than ₦50,000 (excluding land).
A watermelon farm is very profitable and has a very high turnover, up to ₦ 400,000 can in 3 months on a plot (₦ 1.6 million per year), is disease resistant, and can adapt to different climate changes. So, as you can see, it costs little, requires no work and has great income
So now that I have your attention, let’s get to work. Here’s a summary about it,
Table of Contents
How to start a watermelon business in Nigeria from farm to market?
Watermelon Pre-Planting Procedures
It involves all activities that are performed before the seed reaches the ground. And they include:
1. Seed Selection
This is one of the most important actions when it comes to starting a watermelon farm in Nigeria. There are a number of seeds to choose from, depending on the variety, watermelon variety, and taste. These seeds/varieties vary in shape, color, size, taste, and texture. The most common types are:
· Sugar Baby
This is the most common of all. A sugar baby usually weighs 4 kg, lasts 75 days, and usually has sweet red meat.
· Charleston Gray
Charleston gray is a different variety/type of watermelon that weighs 14 kg when ripe and also takes about 85 days to ripen.
· Crimson
Crimson is another watermelon variety. A ripe fruit usually weighs 11 kg and usually takes 85 days to ripen. He also has the usual sweet red meat.
· Orangeglo Golden Dwarf
Orangeglo golden dwarf is one of the largest varieties of watermelons. It weighs 18 kg and takes about 90 days to mature. It is very sweet and crunchy and has bright orange flesh and white seeds.
· Anniversary
This is another great watermelon variety. It weighs 18kg when matured and lasts up to 95 days and has the usual sweet red flesh inside. Other recognized species are:
- Green gold
- Fridge
- Kaplan
- Sweet Beauty
- Bleeding
2. Location Selection
After seed selection, location selection is another important factor to consider, location. There are 36 states in Nigeria and there are a lot of lands. When you get your land, research the climate, topography, soil type, research the area for safety, work, market, etc. Once you’ve done that, move one to your business plan.
3. Business plan
Not planning is planning to fail. Therefore, most farmers have losses instead of gains. You must draw up a business plan. This will also help you get help and sponsorship. Your business plan should include your budget, expenses, expenses, potential income, and potential partners.
4. Land Preparation
The final step before planting your first seed-soil is preparation. This step determines your crop yield and includes weeding and trunking, manure and fertilizer, plowing, harrowing and spading. Once this is done, you will have smooth planting.
Watermelon Planting Procedures
It includes all activities that are carried out immediately after tillage and all activities that take place before the fruit is harvested. They contain
· Planting Watermelon
Watermelon is a creeper and produces a lot of vines when growing, so it needs a lot of space. Place a 1 inch seed in the soil, take two steps forward and place the next seed.
· Watering
It is important to give the plants enough water twice a week. So that the growing plants have enough space to produce 100%
· Weeding and Pest Control
For weeds, you can use herbicides or the method of manual harvesting. And the use of pesticides is not recommended for insects and other vermin. So you have to introduce your natural enemies.
Watermelon Harvesting Procedures
These are all activities that take place after watermelon seeds have matured and are ready to be harvested. They contain
· Harvest
As I mentioned before, there are several varieties, but watermelons mature between 75-90 days. The sound is dull; the base of the water changes from green to a dull yellowish color and the stem loses its moisture and spirals. These signs proved that the fruit is ready to be harvested.
Before you pick your fruit, make sure you take some fruit to the market and shops and give away free samples if needed to create demand for it.
· Storage
Watermelon can be kept for up to 2 months without aging if the ideal temperature is between 11°C and 15°C, 85 to 95% ideal humidity from 85 to 95%, not exposed to direct sunlight after harvest and stacked with other fruits and/or vegetables.
· Marketing
You can sell your watermelons as a wholesaler to fruit stands, supermarkets, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, pharmaceutical companies or private individuals and even export them to other countries.
Cost and profits of watermelon farming in Nigeria
Let’s look at the costs and profits of watermelon farming in Nigeria – The watermelon growing expenses and profits in Nigeria
Land costs
- 500 grams of imported hybrid seeds – ₦5.300
- Labor costs for planting and harvesting – ₦5,000
- Labor costs for weeding and fertilizer applications – ₦5,000
- 50 kg organic fertilizer – ₦3500
- Leaf fertilizer – ₦5,200
- Transportation – ₦3,000
- Miscellaneous – ₦ 10,000
It all adds up to ₦38,000 as the estimated/probable cost to run this program.
Gain
Up to 1,596 melons can grow on a plot of land.
The average price of a watermelon is ₦250 (wholesale price)
1,569 X 250 = 392,250
Profit = 392,250 – ₦45,000
This gives him a profit of 347,250 per 3 months and ₦1.4 million per year. In case you didn’t know, the price of watermelons for export is twice as high. Take a moment to do the math.
Conclusion – watermelon farming in Nigeria
By now you should be able to start watermelon farming in Nigeria from farm to market and awaken the entrepreneur in you. I am sure I covered all the steps and procedures for starting a watermelon business in Nigeria from farm to market. If I missed any or if you’d like to share your knowledge, let me know in the comments section below.
