Can you make 1 million easily from watermelon farming in Kenya? A beginner’s guide

Watermelon farming in Kenya is one of those short-term farming projects that one can invest in for a quick return. You only have to wait for less about 3 months and your investment starts paying off. And the good thing is that the market for watermelons is ever ready.

Watermelon is so much loved by Kenyans and you will find nice beautiful chops of the fruits on people’s tables be it for breakfast, lunch or even supper. In fact, there is no wedding, birthday party, baby shower, ruracio or any other celebration that is complete without watermelons. All this demand makes the watermelon market not only available but also highly rewarding.

Best places for growing watermelon in Kenya

Kenya has a favorable climate for growing watermelons, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and an annual rainfall of between 600mm and 1,200mm. These conditions are ideal for the growth of watermelon, which requires a lot of sunlight and water.

As such, the areas in Kenya that experience hot climate such as Baringo, Narok, Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni are the leading producers of watermelon.

Best soil conditions for watermelon farming

Watermelon requires well-draining, sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adequate soil moisture is also important, as the plant requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season to produce high-quality fruit. Additionally, it’s a good idea to add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to the soil prior to planting to ensure that the plants have the necessary nutrients to grow and produce fruit. Ample sun exposure is also crucial for watermelon growth, as the plants need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce sweet and juicy fruit.

How to increase watermelon yield

To improve yields, farmers in Kenya use a variety of techniques, such as crop rotation, proper soil management, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Irrigation is also commonly used, especially in areas where rainfall is inadequate.

Pests

• Whiteflies

• Aphids

• Flea Beetles

• Red spider mites

Diseases

• Damping-off diseases

• Root-knot nematodes

• Powdery mildew

Watermelon market

Kenya’s watermelon production has increased in recent years due to increased demand for the fruit both domestically and internationally. The country exports watermelons to several countries in the region, including Uganda and Tanzania. Additionally, the country’s supermarkets and street vendors also sell large quantities of watermelons, especially during the hotter months when the fruit is in high demand.

Profitability of watermelon farming in Kenya

Watermelon farming in Kenya has the potential to be a profitable venture for farmers. The cost of production for watermelon farming in Kenya is relatively low, as the majority of the inputs needed, such as seeds, labor, and land, are readily available. The cost of seeds is around Ksh11,000 for half a kg which is enough to plant 1 acre.

Varying sizes

You do not need to water the crop too often as watermelons generally have low water requirements. But you need to weed regularly.

Watermelons vary in size, from 1.3kg to 32kg and have either red or yellow flesh.

Jubilee, Charleston Grey and Congo are large, cylindrical varieties, while Sugar Baby and Ice Box are smaller, globe-shaped types.

An acre of land, if well tilled and with fertile soil, can produce around 13,000 fruits.

If the average price of a watermelon is Sh100, you can easily realize Sh1,300,000 in one harvest. And you can harvest twice a year.

How To Tell If A Watermelon Is Ripe For Harvest

It’s finally that time when you are eager to harvest your watermelon. But, there’s a problem. You are unaware if it’s the perfect time to pick the watermelon. This is because its flavor largely depends on the production and storage conditions. For this reason, you need to harvest the fruits when they are mature and ripe, not before. Since the ripeness is hidden under the outer skin, it might be hard to know when the fruits are ready to pick. You can only be sure of the fruit quality and ripeness by cracking it open. But, when you do this, the fruit is no longer sellable.