MAKING IT, SPENDING IT: MAKE OR MAR MONEY CHOICES – Investing In Vegetable farming

Vegetable farming is the growing of vegetables for the purpose of consumption by human beings. Vegetable growing is a practice that began in several parts of the world more than ten thousand years ago.

Asides the green vegetables, tomato, pepper, among others are also classified as vegetables.

Its a farming with the ability to generate income and profits year round.

Initial Capital/Profitability

A vegetable farmer along Iyana Iba, Lagos,  Mr Abdulahi Yisa while speaking with me says it doesn’t cost much to start vegetable farming.

“Once a beginner has the mind and the determination to do farming, one can start from the scratch without money. For commercial vegetable farming, a person will only need land, especially wet land,” he says.

He explains that having a land or having ability to water the land regularly at least once a day, mostly, in the early morning before heat from the sun, will be added advantage.

However, he says, a person may need fertiliser to boost the growth and may need to fumigate the farm against pests once in a while.

Reacting to how long it may take for the crops to be harvested in the farm, Yisa said, the crops can be matured for harvesting and selling between two months.

However, due to my findings, if you invest a sum of N3 million, in nine months, you can make up to N6 million. It will take you about three months to harvest the ripe tomatoes, vegetables among others.

Challenges

He says, one major challenge is inability to preserve the crops. “They are perishable crops which cannot last five hours in the sun after harvest. Most of us are always afraid to harvest much in order to avoid waste once we get to the market. And once they reach harvesting period, they can die off on their own.”

Tips To Excel In Vegetable Farming

Another farmer, Muhammad Aliko, said he is into full time vegetable farming.

“I use fertiliser to enrich the crop. You can purchase prepared garden fertiliser or make your own from items like; Epsom salt, eggshells, fish tank water and kitchen compost.

He further advises, “If you want the freshest produce possible, consider planting your own home garden – after all, you can’t get any closer to your kitchen table than your own backyard. Growing your own vegetables is thrifty, too.”

Similarly, Aliko stresses, that growing conditions and ripening cycles are different depending on the plant and the season. “So, you should not sow all the seeds at the same time. Planting dates can be found on seed packets. Review the ideal conditions for each veggie you want to plant before creating a gardening schedule.”