Despite the current challenges in the Nigerian economy, there are still opportunities available locally in key sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture.
Watermelon and cucumber production in Nigeria are aspects of agriculture opportunities that can still be explored. Nigeria has a comparative advantage regards vegetable production with huge demand internationally and locally.
Aside from the huge consumption demand, the cosmetics industry uses cucumber as a byproduct in the production of facial toners, body lotion, and other beauty products.
The vegetables can be cultivated across all states in the country including the federal capital territory. It takes three months on average to grow watermelon and cucumber. Cucumber requires more water to grow than watermelon, and both vegetables can be grown everywhere.
According to data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the demand for vegetables in Nigeria is around 5.13 million metric tons.
Tips for one hectare
To know the soil condition, it must be tested. Highly acidic soils are not good for growing cucumber. To make such soils viable for growing cucumber, additives can be added to neutralize the pH in the soil.
After that is getting quality seeds. The CEO of X-Ray Consulting Limited, Afioluwa Mogaji, stated that “Seeds are vital to the production of cucumber due to climate change. There are varieties that grow well in both wet and drought seasons, which is what you should look for. Varieties of such types of seeds are Darina, Murano, and pickings.”
An average of 700kg of NPK and urea are needed per hectare to achieve optimum yield. Also, the market timing should be well understood and the peak period for cucumber is September when the demand is very high and prices are very attractive.
To achieve maximum yield, an average of 700kg urea and NpK fertilizer are required per hectare. It’s very important to understand the market timing of the vegetable and the peak period for cucumber is September at a time with high demand and prices are very attractive.
According to Mogaji, also known as AfricanFarmer, cucumber does not require much water application during its vegetative stage and requires more during the fruiting stage. He stated that for Watermelon production, water application is the reverse of cucumber.
