Is Cucumber Farming Profitable?

Cucumber farming scientifically known as Cucumis Sativus is one of the most profitable farming ventures anyone can do in Nigeria and it can be very profitable if done in the right way.

The beauty of it all is that you do not necessarily need a large expense of farmland to start cucumber farming business in a small scale as smart Nigerians can make millions of naira from cucumber farming business within few months from a small size of farmland.

Cucumber farming generally involves the cultivation of cucumbers with the aim of harvesting and marketing the cucumber fruits for consumption or for sales to the public and this process starts from soil preparation to the marketing of the harvested cucumber fruits for profits.

In summary, the following are the steps to take to grow cucumbers in Nigeria:

1. Site Selection
2. Climatic Conditions Requirement
3. Get a Business Plan
4. Soil Requirement
5. Land Preparation for Cucumber Farming
6. Varieties of Cucumbers to Plant
7. Irrigation
8. Direct Sowing or Nursery
9. Staking of Cucumber Plants
10. Application of Fertilizers
11. Weed Control
12. Pest Control in Cucumber Farming
13. Disease Control
14. Harvest
15. Post-Harvest and Marketing

Below is an estimate to act as a guide;

Cucumber Farming Business – Estimate and Profit Analysis

Cucumber Farming Profit Analysis for One Acre of Cucumber Farm – First Scenario
Revenue:
500 bags at N3000 each		1,500,000.00
Cost:
Rent of one acre of farmland	20,000.00
Fertilizer	100,000.00
Manure	20,000.00
Pesticides	20,000.00
Hybrid Seeds	35,000.00
Labour for 3 months	120,000.00
Drip Irrigation	200,000.00
Knapsack Sprayer	5,000.00
Farm Tools	5,000.00
Staking	30,000.00
Soil Test	10,000.00
		565,000.00
Profit		935,000.00

Cucumber Farming Profit Analysis for One Acre of Cucumber Farm – Second Scenario
Revenue:
500 bags at N6000 each		3,000,000.00
Cost:
Rent of one acre of farmland	20,000.00
Fertilizer	100,000.00
Manure	20,000.00
Pesticides	20,000.00
Hybrid Seeds	35,000.00
Labour for 3 months	120,000.00
Drip Irrigation	200,000.00
Knapsack Sprayer	5,000.00
Farm Tools	5,000.00
Staking	30,000.00
Soil Test	10,000.00
		565,000.00
Profit		2,435,000.00

Some of the reasons why cucumber farming business remains one of the most profitable farming businesses to venture into include the fast that harvests starts from 36-45 days when hybrid varieties are planted.

Also, the demand for fresh cucumbers is quite huge in Nigeria as they are widely used across the country in preparing salads and other types of food hence making the fruit constantly in demand by consumers.

Meanwhile, cucumber plants can be grown under tropical conditions including under protected cultivation (Greenhouses, polytunnels or nethouses) and in open fields.