Agribusiness: Watermelon Farming In Kenya

Watermelon farming in Kenya is one of the most common forms of agriculture in the country. The main reason for this is that watermelons are easy to grow, and they do not require much work to maintain them. They also have a high yield rate, which means that farmers can get a lot of produce from their land. Watermelon farming is a great agribusiness venture in Kenya.

Watermelon farming in Kenya is done by planting seeds directly into the ground. The soil should be prepared beforehand so that it is ready to receive the seeds when they are planted. The seeds can be planted at any time during the year, but it is best to wait until after the rainy season has ended before doing so.

This will ensure that your plants get enough water from rain instead of having to rely on irrigation systems which might not function properly during periods when there are no rains.

Recommended Varieties for Watermelon In Kenya

• Zuri F1
• Sukari F1
• Kubwa F1
• Sugar Baby
• Crimson Sweet
• Sweet Rose F1

Takeaway: Watermelon farming is very important as it makes profit to farmers

Favorable Climatic Conditions

Watermelon plants are very versatile and can be grown in almost any type of soil as long as it has good drainage. They will grow well even if they are planted on a slope or hillside because they are able to adjust their root system to fit their environment.

In Kenya, watermelon grows well mostly in hot regions like Western, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado and the coastal regions. Watermelon can also be grown in highland regions, although the quality of the fruits is inferior compared to those grown in hot regions.

The ideal temperature range for watermelon plants varies from region to region but generally falls between 18-30 degrees Celsius. In climates where this temperature range cannot be maintained throughout most of the year, it is best to plant your watermelons during warmer months so that they will grow better during cooler seasons.

Watermelons require a long growing season, so look for areas with well-drained soil that receives full sun for at least six hours a day. The ideal soil for growing watermelons has a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but the plants can adapt to a wider range of pH levels if necessary. If these conditions are difficult to find, consider planting your own raised bed or container garden instead.

Land Preparation for Watermelon Farming

The first step in starting a watermelon farm is to prepare the land for planting. Make sure you have enough space available for each plant to grow properly without competition from other plants or weeds. Watermelons grow best when planted about 2 feet apart from each other, so consider this when deciding how much space you will need for your crop.

You can also choose to plant only one or two rows of watermelons if you don’t have enough space on your property for more than one row at a time. Planting only one row at a time allows you to rotate your crops throughout the year so that one type of crop doesn’t take up all of your growing space at once. Rotating crops helps keep pests away from one area of your garden and keeps soil healthy for future plantings

Plant your watermelons in full sun and on well-drained soil that has been enriched with compost or manure. Make sure that the soil is at least 8 inches (20 cm) deep, because watermelons require lots of nutrients. You can also use raised beds for growing your watermelons if you want to avoid having to dig up your entire garden bed every year when you’re planting seedlings or transplanting seedlings into their permanent homes.

Planting

When planting your watermelon seeds, make sure they receive at least 8 hours of sunlight each day during the early stages of growth. Watermelons require more sun than other types of melons because they grow rapidly during this stage of development and need all the energy they can get from photosynthesis before they start setting fruit.

Manure and Fertilizers for Watermelon Farming

The best type of manure for growing watermelons is cow dunk manure because it has more nitrogen than other types of manure. However, if you don’t have access to horse cow dunk manure, plant manure is also acceptable as long as it has been composted first.

You can also use chicken manure but only after it has been composted first because chicken manure contains high levels of phosphorus which can kill your plants if applied directly onto them without being composted first. Chicken and cow manures should also be aged for at least six months before applying them on your plants because the high levels of nitrogen can burn the plants.

How to Irrigate in watermelon Farm

The best time to irrigate your watermelon is when the soil becomes dry on top. However, it is important not to over-irrigate as this can cause root damage and increase the risk of disease.

The best way to determine whether you should irrigate your crops or not is by checking the soil regularly with your finger. If the top layer feels dry but the soil below still feels moist, then it’s time for some irrigation.

Watermelon plants need around 1 inch of water per week from the time they start growing until they reach maturity. The plants should be watered regularly during this period so that the roots do not dry out completely.

The best way to irrigate in watermelon farming is by using drip irrigation system or sprinklers. When using sprinklers, avoid watering the leaves directly as it may cause leaf diseases. Also make sure that the soil does not dry out between the time you water your plants and harvest them.

Takeaway: Watermelons are one of the most popular fruits in the world and there is a lot of potential to grow them in Kenya.

Pest Management in Watermelon Farming

The use of pesticides for pest management depends on the pest population density. Insecticides should be used when there is an outbreak of pests or when there are too many pests present in the field.

For example, if aphids are causing problems then insecticides such as malathion or azadiractin should be applied to control them effectively. Fungicides can be used to control fungal diseases such as powdery mildew that affects watermelon plants.

Watermelons are a major crop in most tropical and subtropical regions. This crop is vulnerable to a variety of pests and diseases. The most important pest problem is the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica).

This pest can cause serious damage to the watermelon plant by producing galls around its roots. These galls serve as entry points for other soil-borne pathogens, such as bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) and Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae). In addition, many insects attack the fruit and leaves, including aphids, scale insects and whiteflies.

The most important management strategy for controlling any pest problem is proper crop rotation. To prevent buildup of Meloidogyne javanica, do not grow watermelons in the same field for more than three years in a row.

However, if you must rotate back into an infested field, use a nematicide-treated seed treatment or seedling fertilizer in order to control early season nematodes. If possible, rotate away from infested areas before planting your next crop of watermelons so that you do not reintroduce existing populations into the soil.

Harvesting

Watermelon harvesting begins when the fruit becomes ripe, usually about 70 days after planting. They should be harvested during the dry season after reaching maturity. The vines will stop producing after about 80 days, so harvest all remaining fruit as soon as possible to prevent overproduction.

Yields

An average of 12 melons per plant is considered good, but you may get more depending on how much care you give them throughout their growing period.

Important Notes

-The crop requires warm conditions for maximum growth.

-Watermelon plants produce best when temperatures are warm.

-Warmer waters increase watermelons ability to mature fruits faster.

-Soil fertility is crucial in watermelon farming business.

-Manure uses in the soil making them fertile and productive.

-Watermelons can be affected by various diseases, some that start from the ground.

-Highlight the best watermelon variety for planting in your area of farming depending on climatic conditions.

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