Farmers can make more than Sh2. 5 million shillings from one acre in three months with the high yielding Asali F1 watermelon, whose fresh fruit weighs almost twice that of the ordinary varieties.
How much profit is an acre of watermelon?
Based on average yields per acre and average price of fresh market watermelons, producers, on average, grossed approximately $4,400 per acre in 2019; however, that varies considerably among states and between seeded and seedless varieties.
How much do watermelon farmers make per acre?
Watermelon Crops Guide
| Estimated Cost | $700 to $1500 per acre |
|---|---|
| Yield Potential | 10,000 – 70,000 lbs/ac |
| Profit Potential | $0 to $2,000 per acre |
| Adapted Areas | Statewide |
| Labor Requirements | 1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest, hand harvested |
How profitable is watermelon farming in Uganda?
According to UIA’s calculations, a farmer can harvest 48,000 watermelons annually, giving them an estimated Shillings 27.4 million per year hence making it a good employment source for the youth since it has a good market demand throughout the year.
How much can you make from watermelon farming?
A watermelon farmer gets a profit of 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per acre in India in 2 to 3 months period. However, Japanese watermelon gives good profits for farmers. In western countries, The yield of watermelon is about 10,000 to 75,000lbs/acre and expected profits are $1000 to $25,000 per acre.
How long do watermelons take to grow in Uganda?
In about three months the fruits should be ready for harvest depending on the soil temperature and the depth they are planted.
How many watermelon plants can you grow in an acre?
2,800-4,400 plants
While the number planted may depend on the variety of water melon and a number of other factors, approximately 2,800-4,400 plants can be planted on an acre in single rows with a spacing of five (5) feet to eight (8) feet apart on plastic-mulched beds with 24-36 inches between plants in the row.
How much does it cost to plant an acre of watermelon?
Based on the above assumptions, the total production costs for seedless watermelons are estimated at $7,534 per acre.
How many tons is an acre of watermelon?
Watermelon yield varies according to the variety and general maintenance of the crop. However, an acre of land, in favorable ecological conditions and under good maintenance can produce 20 to 35 tones.
What is the lifespan of a watermelon plant?
3-4 months
How many watermelons per plant? About 2 to 3 melons can be obtained per plant in its single lifespan of 3-4 months. Usually, gardeners purposely keep only one watermelon per plant to harvest big sized fruits.
How much does a watermelon cost in Uganda?
Watermelon prices have since doubled from Shs 3000-4,000 to Shs 6,000-8,000.
What month is the best time to plant watermelon in Uganda?
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 six feet apart. This should give the tender vines enough space to grow. The soil temperature should warm to at least 70 degrees.
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
2-4 fruits
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
How long does it take for watermelon to grow after flowering?
about three months
How Long Does It Take to Grow? It takes about three months to grow to full maturity. The first two months are comprised of the plant sprouting, vining, and flowering. It is only the last month of growth that the actual fruit will develop.
What is the best fertilizer for watermelons?
For watermelons, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as 10-10-10, at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (60 to 90 feet of row). Make a trench on the planting bed 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches from the side of the row. Cover the fertilizer and plant so seeds do not touch the fertilizer.
How do you grow an acre of watermelon?
Plant open-pollinated varieties using one pound to two pounds of seed per acre and place seed at a depth of 1/2 inch to 11/2 inches. Use the greater planting depths for sandy or dry soils. Hybrid varieties have seed costs about 20 to 30 times greater than open-pollinated varieties.
How many months does it take watermelon to mature?
Watermelons require 80-90 days from seed sowing to grow a full-size watermelon. Some smaller-sized watermelons (like Sugar Baby) can reach maturity in closer to 70 days.
Where is watermelon grown Uganda?
Watermelon can be grown from seed or transplants from a nursery. Honeybees must pollinate the watermelon for fruit to be produced. In Uganda, farmers grow it mainly in the districts of Luweero, Mpigi, Kayunga, Bugerere, Mayuge, Masaka, Mubende, Masindi and Bushenyi.
How many watermelons are in a hectare?
A good yield, after some years of experience is 50 to 80 tons per hectare. In commercial watermelon farms, we may expect to harvest 1,5 to 2 full size watermelons per plant.
How much is 1kg of watermelon in Kenya?
The price in Kenyan Shilling is KES 118.54 per kg.
How much water does a watermelon plant need per day?
Watermelons do not need water every single day. Only consider watering your watermelons daily when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). Watering 1–2 times per week works well as long as temperatures are below 90°F. Try to keep the soil moist to a depth of 12 inches (30 cm) at all times.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.