Watermelon farming lies among the highly profitable agribusiness ventures to consider trying in Kenya 2024. Watermelons have few inputs and incurs less costs and risks in production as the plant is resistant to drought.
The availability of improved watermelon seeds allows to production of high watermelon yields in a short duration.
Watermelon fruits are highly profitable, sold for about KES 60 – 100 each in Groceries and fruit stores.
Climatic Conditions for Watermelon Farming
Watermelons love hot temperatures or areas that receive maximum sunlight intensities. For instance, arid and semi-arid areas such as Baringo, Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta.
Soil PH – A soil PH of 6 to 7.5 is suitable for cultivation of watermelon.
Temperature – Hot temperatures of approximately 22 – 35 °C.
Water – Thrives faster in environments with adequate water levels though it can survive in low rainfall areas.
Nutrients – Watermelons require a maximum supply of fertilizers rich in magnesium and nitrogen.
What are the Common Varieties of Watermelon in Kenya?
Sugar Baby melons
A popular type of watermelon with sweet and compact size fruits which mature in a shorter season. Fruits are round and weigh approximately 6-12 kg in size.
Crimson sweet watermelon
Characterised by large, oval fruits and vibrant red flesh. Produces fruits that weigh between 10 to 12 kilograms.
They have dark green stripes on the outer coat of the fruit.
Charleston gray
This variety can be identified through the green, large and elongated fruits. Can weigh 11 to 16 kg on average fruit size.
Flesh has a bright red and juicy with a sweet taste.
Jubilee watermelons
large, oblong fruits and high yield potential. Typically weighing between 11 to 18 kilograms
Watermelon Irrigation Techniques
- Drip Irrigation – Avails water through emitters straight to the root zone of the watermelon plant. Enhances ease and efficiency in balance and conserves water.
- Furrow irrigation – The movement of water that waters the watermelon crop happens through channels or furrows.
- Sprinkler irrigation – can also provide enough water for irrigation of watermelons.
Which Irrigation Method is Effective in Watermelon Farming?
The drip irrigation method is the best technique to supply water to watermelon crops as it offers a high rate of water balance and absorption.
Water Management technique for Watermelon farming
To ensure water remains in the soil for watermelon access, mulching is recommended. You can apply organic, or artificial mulching Paper. Mulching prevents excessive evaporation and moisture loss.
How to Apply Fertilizers
Before planting, it is essential to apply manure on well-cultivated land and mix well.
During the planting process, apply NPK fertilizer.
After 4 weeks of planting apply Nitrogen and phosphorous-rich fertilizer such as DAP to provide adequate nutrients.
Foliar Feeds can be applied when the plants reach a flowering stage.
Fertilizer Application Methods
Application of Fertilizers can be done through hand method or drip irrigation technique. Drip irrigation enhances fertilizers to reach the crop through driplines or emitters, at a prior stage it is fed to the driplines using fertilizer injectors.
Common Diseases that Affect Watermelon Farming
- Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease causing white powdery spots on leaves.
- Fusarium Wilt: A soil-borne fungus that causes yellowing and wilting of leaves.
- Anthracnose: A fungal disease causing dark, sunken lesions on fruits and leaves
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