Cucumber is Extremely Popular in Nigeria and all over the world. It’s actually a green vegetable having a tender skin and it’s consumed by all tribes in the nation. Cucumber farming is a booming company as a result of prevalence of Cucumber in the nation. Wherever you’re situated in the nation, there is readily availability of market for you. Currently, the majority of the cucumber we have is produced from the Northern part of the nation. nonetheless, there are no limitations to the area at which cucumber can be cultivated.
The Cucumber has various health advantages. Usually it’s eaten raw or in addition, it can be applied to salad vegetable. Cucumber is full of potassium, potassium, folate, vitamin C and calcium. Additionally, it’s lower in calorie and this really is a wonderful alternative for all those that are attempting to drop weight.
These are few of the established advantages of Cucumber.
- Cancer avoidance
- Dental Health
- Eye Health
- Brain Health
- Energy
- Heart wellness.
- Digestive Health
- Weight reduction
Now These Are The Steps to Take in Starting Cucumber Farming.
Site Selection
Cucumber might be grown in just about any part of the nation so it will not really matter where you are located. But, there are a number of facts to think about on soil. The soil ought to be loamy or clay soil and also the soil should have sufficient access to water. The pH of the ground ought to be rather neutral or slightly alkaline (near to 7.0). In addition, the region should have adequate experience of sun since light is quite critical for pineapple development. Finally, your site selection must not be too much away from the possible market or target clients.
Land Preparation
The soil ought to be cleared and weeds removed. Herbicides must not be employed to weed out the plantation soil since these compounds can affect the grade of the soil in addition to the cucumber. You’re able to apply organic manure to the ground in preparation for planting. You might even utilize in organic fertilizers just like the NPK fertilizer. This ought to be implemented at the ratio of 15:15:15.
Seed Selection
This is yet another crucial step in the plantation of Cucumber. This really is but one of the primary items that you need to do when you’ve resolved to turn into a cucumber farmer. Most times, the seeds might be obtained locally. Seeds out of Europe or America aren’t appropriate to your climate within Nigeria. But, seeds might be imported from Thailand since their climate is like that of Nigeria. If you are thinking of having a hectare of farmland for Cucumber farming you then must be able to purchase 5 kilogram of those seeds.
Planting
Cucumber might be implanted at any given time of the season. The plants generally require sufficient water to flourish, therefore if you are planting during the dry season, there ought to be a irrigation system set up to guarantee adequate water source. It’s possible to plant on bed and also you ought to be sure the ideal spacing between the plants.
Additionally, you may plant your seed from the nursery afterward transplant later into the farmland. Nevertheless, the suggested way is planting entirely on the farmland on account of the delicate character of the Cucumbers root consequently transplanting can damage these root. The seeds must be planted in damp soil. The soil temperature is crucial before germination. The temperature should not be between16 — 35C
The seed ought to really be pushed slightly to the bed at approximately one to two cm from the ground surface. The spacing between plants needs to be approximately 1 foot apart whereas the spacing between columns should be approximately four to six feet. 3 seeds must be planted a pit; yet it’s possible to narrow the plants to 2.
Post Planting
Once the seed has planted, it’s crucial to support the expanding plant with pillars or rods. That is only because Cucumber plants are climbers naturally and so they might require the essential aid for optimum expansion.
Mulching can be an essential activity. Whenever you mulch your decrease the number of fertilizer, then you are going to want article planting because less oxygen is lost during leaching. Additionally, mulching makes the soil warm and reduces weed growth.
Irrigation will help to encourage the increase of cucumber. In reality, light irrigation increases the potency of compost found in weed control. Irrigation is especially essential throughout cucumber growth.
Diseases which change the cucumber plant comprise damping-off, anthracnose, mould and mosaic illness. In order to preventing infections specially fungal infections, you should plant seeds which were treated with fungicide. In the instance of a disorder such as foliage location and mould, apply a fungicide once you observe any indication of this disorder.
You are able to spray weeds at routine periods to control the insect and infestations. Livestock like goats and cow may also have an effect on cucumber as these creatures eat the fruits and leaves.
Harvesting
Cucumbers are harvested if they’re green and immature in color. They need to not be harvested while the cucumber isn’t mature. It requires approximately 40 to 45 weeks to allow the cucumber to grow. No matter how the time required to older is contingent upon the kind of cucumber seed planted.
Harvesting is normally done by hand and also the cucumber needs to be managed with caution to protect against bruises, once the cucumber is harvested, wash them fast into a full bowl of water and then arrange them for sale.
Marketing
Once the cucumbers are harvested, there ought to be a specified process in place to transfer the fresh fruit from the farm into the marketplace. Evidently, this will have now been sorted out throughout your research before starting the small business venture.
