Like any other farming business, starting a pepper farming can be rewarding in many aspects, but for you to reap it reward you must be committed, dedicated and having a good business plan. When you have finally achieved your aims, not only will you have a successful pepper farm, But you will now be fully dependent on yourself.
So are you thinking of starting an agribusiness? What about considering pepper farming in Zimbabwe. On this article, we will tell you how to start a pepper farming business both the profitability involves in it. There are several business opportunities in Zimbabwe, and out of the great opportunities, pepper farming is one of the lucrative venture.
Types Of Pepper In Zimbabwe
there are different types of peppers in Zimbabwe and they are:
1. Cameroon pepper
2. Cayenne pepper
3. Dry pepper (chilli pepper)
4. Scotch bonnets
5. Red bell pepper
These are the most common peppers found in Zimbabwe and it’s been use on a daily basis.
LUCRATIVE PEPPER FARMING IN Zimbabwe
Here are step by step guide on how to start a pepper farm in Zimbabwe:
(1) Purchase Or Rent A Land: Before setting up a pepper farm, you will need a piece of land, and the preferred soil for peppers are sandy and loam soil. Ensure that the land are free from pests, Organic manure is also needed. Then create pepper beds.
(2) Preparation Of The Nursery: The right time for this, is in between March and April, that is when rain is just starting. Prepare your land for pepper seedlings by clearing the grasses, loosing the soil with hoes for well being of the pepper. Now, Sow your seeds on the soil. It will start germinating with 6-8 days. The next step will be transplanting.
(3) Transplanting: Transport the seedlings to the pepper beds which you much have prepared. The transplanting is done after 2 to 3 months. You should be careful with performing this operation to avoid spoiling the seedlings, or nevertheless hire experienced personnel to do them for you.
(4) Watering: Pepper requires water for survival, So water the seed adequately on a daily basis, but not too much because it may now affects your pepper plants.
(5) Weeding And Application Of Fertilizer: After two or three months starting from the period of Transplanting, clear unwanted grasses (weeds), consider applying fertilizer to the soil (peppers), this will replenish the soil then boost growths. Always remember to do soil test to know the level of nutrients and pH.
(6) Harvest Your Peppers: The first harvest starts within 4 to 6 months, it depends on the variety of the pepper. Harvesting the peppers before maturity will stimulate the plant to keep producing more.
(7) Marketing Your Peppers: It is very important to have a good marketing plan ahead of your harvest. You will need to prepare a specific market strategy to differentiate yourself from other pepper farmers in Zimbabwe. You can sell your pepper within the local areas and markets, etc.
Equipments Needed For Pepper Production In Zimbabwe
1. Picking basket
2. Pepper harvest lugs
3. Harvest bins
4. Fertilizer injector
5. Spray machines
6. Drip tape
7. Super bedder
8. Stake puller
9. Plastic mulch retriever
10. Watering can etc…
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO START A PEPPER FARM IN Zimbabwe
The cost of starting a pepper production in Zimbabwe for medium scale is $1000. The money can get you a profit of $450 if done properly and correctly within the next 6 to 7 months.
SUMMARY
- Is pepper farming profitable in Zimbabwe? YES, it is profitable. But the profitability of pepper production in Zimbabwe depends on the ability of a farmer to have a good management practice on his or her pepper farm.
- Have a good business plan; After you must have read this article and gathered information on how to plant pepper in Zimbabwe, you should have an added plan on how you are going to run this business. Now that you have read this article carefully why not give it a try. Pepper farming in Zimbabwe will continue to be lucrative and profitable.
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