By AgroNigeeria:
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a warm, long-season crop and member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, pumpkin, cucumber, muskmelon and gourd.
The specie is said to have originated from Southern Africa with evidence
of early cultivation in Ancient Egypt. Till date, the crop is grown in
semi-desert districts of Africa as an important source of water during the dry
season.
The watermelon can grow in any part of Nigeria with demand for it
growing daily as a result of its many health benefits. Aside having
cancer-combating enzymes, it contains 91% water, 6% sugar and is low in fat. A
100 gram serving also supplies 30 calories and vitamin C in appreciable content
at 10% of the daily value. Furthermore, the crop’s pulp contains carotenoids,
including lycopene.
The high turnover of watermelon cultivation in a short time makes it one
of the most lucrative agribusinesses to run in Nigeria. With just eighty-five
days to reach maturity from its planting date, one can get three sets of
harvested watermelon fruits to sell within a year. Experts also say that if one
starts-out the business on a large parcel of land, huge returns on investment
is guaranteed.
Commercial watermelon farming is very easy to start and doesn’t require
much technical knowledge. If you have the interest and own sufficient land
space, you are totally good to go.
The requirements for starting a lucrative watermelon farming business in
Nigeria are –
LAND
A large piece of land; say about a plot will do for starters. As the
fruit thrives in hot and warm environments, an area of land enjoying 25 °
Celsius or 77 ° Fahrenheit is suitable. A location with either sandy or loamy
soil is equally ideal for planting. Once the land is acquired, it should be
cleared.
SEEDLINGS
The next step to take is to get good watermelon seedlings. The type of
seeds planted will determine the quality of fruits that will be harvested. A
good option is to get them from the International Institute for Tropical
Agriculture (IITA). An alternative is to visit those who run their own
watermelon farms.
PLANTING
Sow watermelons in rows. If you are planting the Congo or Crimson Sweet
variety, plant three to four seeds per row, making sure that the rows are ten
feet apart or more from one other. Also when planting, be sure to space seeds
six inches apart.
Since watermelons are heavy feeders, ensure you add a moderate amount of
manure, compost and leaves when planting. Apart from feeding the seedlings, the
manure and other components also make sure the soil drains well. Also, provide
adequate protection for your tender seedlings.
Watermelons grow slowly during cold days. Hence, use hot caps or cold
frames during cold days or nights.The watermelon is best planted at the outset
of the rainy season or when the rainy season is almost over. This will allow
for low relative humidity, a condition essential for normal growth of the crop
in southern Nigeria.
In the northern part, early planting season is in May while late season
planting is July. But with functional irrigation in the north, it could be
planted round the year, accounting for why it is often brought from the north.
FERTILISATION
There is no set watermelon fertilising schedule. Timing of fertiliser
application is determined by the current soil condition and, thereafter, by the
stage at which the watermelon plant is growing. Be it an emergent seedling or
in bloom, both stages have different nutritional needs.
When fertilising watermelon plants, the nitrogen-based fertiliser should
be used first. Once the plant begins flowering, one should switch to feeding
the watermelon a phosphorus and potassium-based fertiliser. Watermelons require
ample potassium and phosphorus for optimal production.
Once the seedlings have emerged or you are ready to transplant, top
dress with either 5-5-5- or 10-10-10 general all-purpose fertiliser. Also
fertilise the watermelon plants in the amount of 1 & 1/2 pounds per 100
square feet of garden space.
Watermelons should be fertilised with granular food and without the
fertiliser coming into contact with the leaves. The leaves are sensitive and
could be damaged if not handled properly. Fertilisation should be done in such
a way that plant roots easily absorb the nutrients.
WATERING
Watermelons are very thirsty plants and must be watered regularly,
especially during hot weather. This will help keep the soil moist. Though the
crop requires watering throughout the season, a particularly important time for
the process is when they are setting and growing fruit. The reason for this is
that the fruit is made up of 92 percent water. This means that the plant must
take up an enormous amount of water while the fruit is developing.
If water is not available to the plant at this time, the fruit will
likely have stunted growth or possibly fall off the vine. It is therefore
important to water the crops while they are establishing in the garden or
during times of drought.
WEEDING
It is imperative to clear the land used for cultivation and rid it free
of weeds. This would help the planted crops grow well. Also, inspect the
watermelon bed weekly and pull-out any weed that grows through the mulch layer
by hand. Grasp weeds near the base and pull straight up, twisting slightly to
dislodge deep roots without breaking them.
APPLYING PESTICIDES
Major pests of the watermelon include aphids, fruit flies, and root-knot
nematodes. In very hot weather, the plants are prone to diseases such as
powdery mildew and mosaic virus. Upon observation of any pest, pesticides
should be applied quickly and carefully so as not to disrupt growth.
HARVESTING
Most farmers claim they tap on the fruit and wait for a dull thump sound
to ascertain when a watermelon is ripe enough for harvesting. A common way
however is to watch the tendril closest to the melon stem. The tendril is a
modified leaf or stem in the shape of a slender, spiral coil. When it turns
brown and dries up, the melon is ripe. The only trouble with this method is
that some watermelon varieties have their tendrils drying and dropping-off more
than a week before the melons become fully ripe.
SALES
A successful watermelon farming exercise in Nigeria ends with
transporting the harvested produce to the market for sale. Customers range from
fruit juice companies to fruit shops, local markets, grocery stores and
pharmaceutical companies that use watermelons in their medicines when creating
nutritional supplements. Sales could also be achieved with restaurants and
resorts scattered across the country.
