Do you know you can become a millionaire in 85 days with a watermelon farming business here in Zimbabwe? We didn’t believe it despite looking at its possibility’s empirical evidence. Watermelon is virtually everyone’s favorite.
The fact that We’ve not written about this business for over three months after starting this site is pitiful. Thanks to Mr. Zim, who called us recently with the sole aim of shading ignorance away.
He’s into this watermelon farming business and didn’t battle an eyelid in exposing how lucrative this business is. It’s been a long time since we met such a selfless person.
This article is a sample business plan template, meaning it will guide you adequately on how to start this business without any hassle.
Watermelon farming is a lucrative agribusiness, especially here in Zimbabwe, where demand always increases.
According to Mr. Zim, he experimented recently to find out if watermelon can grow on River Sand, and the result was glaring.
He told Us, “Watermelon farming business is very lucrative cause it’s not seasonal; it can grow all year round, up to three batches a year.”
We didn’t quite believe him until we researched, and everything he spurted was on point. It takes 85 days for a watermelon to mature, and the circle can be repeated up to three times in one year.
When we say that this business could make you a millionaire, we are exaggerating. It all depends on how much you’re ready to invest.
With a lucrative business such as this, We still don’t know why most of our graduates prefer a white-collar job to agribusinesses that can make one rich.
Agriculture usually sounds irritating, but when you delve in, only then will you discover that money can be grown.
BENEFITS OF THE WATERMELON FARMING BUSINESS
• HIGH DEMAND
The watermelon demand is higher than cucumber’s, making it a lucrative business.
Most fruit juice companies are potential customers cause they need watermelon for some fruits supplement.
If you become a supplier, then you’re made for life.
• PEST RESISTANT
In watermelon farming, you don’t need to worry about pest cause watermelon is resistant. All you’ll need to do is tender it to maturity.
• HIGH YIELD
This is another factor that attracted me the most. Its yield is very high and can be repeated thrice a year, making you lots of money.
• EASY TO START
Once you have the capital, starting a watermelon farming business is very easy. It’s not technical, nor is it demanding.
The good thing is that you can harvest over 1000 watermelons depending on your farm’s size. There’s no limit to what you can produce. By employing more hands in this business, you’ll be able to make yourself a millionaire in a year.
HOW TO START A WATERMELON FARMING BUSINESS
1. LAND SPACE
This should be the primary target. The size of the farm will determine the scale and, ultimately, the amount you will realize. 1 or 2 plots of land will be best for a beginner.
However, ensure the land is on a site with 6 – 8 hours of sunlight. This is because watermelons strive while in hot weather. If sunlight is lacking, it will extend its duration to maturity.
2. GET HEALTHY SEEDLING
This can be gotten from another farm or bought directly from the market.
The type of seed you’ll use will affect the output. So make sure you find the best specie and learn about its cultivation process.
3. START PLANTING
After you’ve got land and watermelon seedlings, the next step will be planting them. It might not look very easy for a beginner, but it’s not.
Sow watermelon seeds in rows, and don’t plant more than four seeds per row. The rows should be ten feet apart from each other to avoid competition.
Also, leave about 6 inches of space between the seeds. Ensure your home is not more than 1 foot deep and 1.5cm wide.
We will recommend planting when it’s about 70 degrees hot cause that’s when watermelon performs better. Cover the 1-foot-deep hole with fertilizer, then stick in the seed with your finger. Make sure it’s not more than 0.5 feet deep.
4. WATERING
Watermelon needs water to mature, although not too much of it. After planting, water it twice a week. As time goes on, reduce to once in two weeks.
Watermelon needs water to survive, but too much of it will make it taste watery. I’m sure you have eaten such watery watermelons before. It’s because the farmer watered it beyond the required amount.
5. WEED CONTROL
You won’t be worrying about pest cause watermelon is pest-proof.
However, you’ll need to weed the farm to avoid unnecessary competition. You can weed once in two weeks or more. It can be done by using a hoe or a herbicide. Go ahead with any measure that’s fine by you.
6. HARVESTING
It will take normally take 85 days for your watermelons to reach maturity. That doesn’t mean it can’t stay more than that.
It all lies in the variety of the watermelon. When buying the seed, ask the seller everything you need to know about the seed. They will always be glad to explain more.
THE MARKETING OF YOUR WATERMELON FRUITS
This is where the real action begins to cause it’s the stage where you make more than you invested.
Transport your goods and sell them to wholesalers, retailers, or fruit juice companies that produce fruit supplements.
Fruit stores, restaurants, hotels, etc., are also target markets you shouldn’t overlook. Don’t forget that you can also sell directly to final consumers. That’s when you realize more than you invested.
Watermelon is always in demand, and the chances of you not selling them off are slim, provided you can meet potential customers.
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