Pumpkin Farming is a lucrative venture due to its nutritional and medicinal value.
Pumpkin is highly sort after by hotels and restaurants in the hospitality industry, hence, investing in it will be a good investment outlet.
Pumpkin, which in scientific language, known as telfairia occidentalis, is rich in minerals, such as; iron, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, anti-oxidants and vitamins.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend, Pumpkin farmer, Dr Innocent Ihenancho Ogbonna, explained that his own pumpkin farm has been source of revenue to him.
Business Capital
According to Ogbonna who has large farm in Ikorodu, Lagos: “I started the farm with just seeds of Pumpkin which cost me N500 in year 2018. Today, I can hardly count how many customers that are coming here to buy from my farm. I don’t plant with any fertiliser or any artificial manure which is why most customers are interested in patronising my Pumpkin leaves.”
Profitability
“At least I make N300,000 every month from plantation which I started with only N500 few years ago. Though, I am not into export of Pumpkin leaves but some of the people buying from me are into exports of the leaves because of the health value attached to it,” he stressed.
However, Ogbonna advised would-be investors to kick-start the plantation within the compound because of its accommodative nature as it can grow, whether inside empty plastic container or empty sacks of rice within your yard, if you have concrete ground.
To him, “But if your compound is without concrete ground, then, you can plant it directly into the ground. However, ensure that you give the plantation enough water on a daily basis because it is a water-friendly crop. Since Pumpkin plant can spread its tentacles very fast and wide, it is better you give it enough space and build a small table of woods where it can rest its fruits as it grows.
.”Generally, pumpkins take between 90-120 days to mature after seeds are planted, depending on the variety. Pumpkins are ripe when they are fully colored and have a hard rind and woody stem.”
