Watermelons are my favorite fruit out of all of them. They are juicy, sweet, especially when chilled, and contain a high percentage of water, making them ideal for rehydrating after a hot day.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who loves watermelons. In reality, the demand for watermelon fruits is constantly rising. Watermelon is a popular fruit in Nigeria, and it can be eaten at any time of day, either before or after a meal.
This is why I’d like to show you today how to establish a watermelon farming business. It is a very profitable business that does not require a lot of capital but is quite gratifying.
It is common to believe that because watermelon farming is so profitable, it would require a large investment and a significant amount of time to get started. The truth, however, is quite the contrary.
Yet, you will need a thorough understanding of how to begin farming watermelons since without correct knowledge and best practices, the fruits will turn bitter, which is the last thing you want.
What I hope to do in this essay is to provide you with sufficient information on how to start your own watermelon farm. I’ll show you how to avoid common errors and maximize your company’s profits. Are you prepared?
How to Start a Watermelon Farming Business Today
You need money
Now I said you don’t need a lot of money to start watermelon farming, but you DO need money, no matter how small. I’m not going to give you a specific amount because costs vary with time and place.
However, you need money to cover things like:
- The cost of a suitable farmland.
- Buying watermelon seed.
- Irrigation. Watermelon need lots of water so having an irrigation system in place will go a long way.
- The cost of equipment for the operation. For a small-scale farm, you don’t need much equipment because every phase of the farming cycle can be carried out manually.
- The cost of buying fertilizers and pesticides.
- The cost of hiring labor. Again for a small-scale farm, you can do most of these things yourself especially if you know your way around the farm. It will only take you time and sweat but will save you more in working cost.
These costs are not fixed; they are mostly negotiable and vary with time and place. I encourage you to do a research and find out what these things would cost you.
Get a suitable farmland: nice site, good soil, etc
You don’t need any kind of acreage to start growing watermelons. For your crops to thrive, your farmland must possess certain characteristics.
Watermelons thrive in loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 6.7.
The property should be near or have access to a decent, clean water source. Watermelons require a lot of water. This is what they share with cucumbers. The area you select should have a plentiful amount of rainfall or water, such as a creek.
Consider building a good drainage system if the water supply is insufficient. Just keep in mind that watermelons are 93% water, so they require a lot of water to thrive.
The size of farmland you get is largely up to you. It depends on the amount of capital you have at your disposal so I won’t tell you to get 3 plots or 3 hectares. Just do what is right by your pockets.
Watermelons also require sunlight. In fact, your location of farmland should provide about 6-8 hours of sunshine daily.
Finally, you should have correct farming and land preparation practices in place, like clearing, weeding, etc.
How to get watermelon seeds for planting
There are several ways to get watermelon seeds for planting.
One of such ways is to visit an existing watermelon farmer and buy from them. The price will differ with each farmer but you need good seeds of the best variety. Your interactions with them will inform you on which way to lean.
Another way is to visit The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). They have an office in Ibadan, Nigeria. You can also reach them via their website.
Lastly, the National Agricultural Seeds Council of Nigeria have a database of seed producers who you can approach to get your watermelon seeds.
Watermelon planting
When you prepare your farmland and get your seeds, the next action is to plant the seeds, of course.
The best times to plant watermelon are between March and July. If you are planting more than one row, then make sure you space them to at least 6 feet apart. This should give the tender vines enough space to grow.
The soil temperature should warm to at least 70 degrees. Make sure the farm gets enough sunlight.
For seedlings that are tender, provide adequate safety for them. Watermelons are heavy feeders, a farmer is required to add reasonable quantity of manure and leaves during planting.
Important considerations to boost farming output
Fertilizer application
Before flowers begin forming out, apply fertilizer rich in Nitrogen. Fertilizer rich in Phosphorus and Potassium should be applied when watermelon flowers sprout out.
Water
As I said earlier, watermelon needs water to grow. This should not be a problem if you plant during the rain season and your farm has enough rain water. If you live in the north where rainfall is sparse, then you can construct your own irrigation system.
When watermelon does not get enough water, it becomes bitter. Nobody likes bitter watermelon. When people know you as ‘that farmer that sells bitter watermelon’ it does not sound very good, does it?
Regular weeding
Weeds compete with good crops for nutrition and water. You should visit your farm regularly to remove weeds. This is not only good for watermelon, it is standard farming practice, one you should not take lightly.
Take care of pests
Your primary enemy in watermelon farming will be pests. Some specie of pests such as aphids, Fusarium wilt and cucumber beetle attack watermelon. This is not good for your profit therefore, it is important to apply the appropriate pesticides.
As the fruits ripen, they can start to rot, so place cardboard materials underneath the fruits to prevent this from happening.
Also space properly to foster air circulations, and prune if necessary.
Harvesting and marketing
The maturity days range from 70-90 days. It is always best practice not to pick them until they mature. How do you know when they are ready for picking? Good question!
A professor of Horticulture, Dr. Bill Rhodes suggests that to be certain that a watermelon is ready for picking, “one need to thump it, if the sound from the water melon is hollow, then it is a clear indication that it is ready to be harvested”.
But if you feel thumping of a large number of watermelon fruit will be a burden. You should note the following signs.
- If the underside turns yellow in colour.
- If the stem starts to wither or dries off.
- If it has a glossy look.
- If it stops growing.
These are the signs to check if a watermelon is ready for harvest aside the hollow sound method.
Before you start picking your watermelon, I suggest you start setting your marketing channels in motion. Make sure you have a ready market. Visit your local market and find out how other farmers sell theirs.
The reason is you want to have a ready system in place once the watermelons ripen. Any delay and they may start to rot.
You can also contact, fruit shops and grocery stores and make a deal to sell your produce there.
