[Best Guide] How To Start Cucumber Farming In Nigeria

How to start cucumber farming in Nigeria- Cucumber is one of the most consumed fruits in Nigeria and Africa at Large owing to the fact that it contains some components that make its consumption beneficial health-wise.

The question now is; how do you grow cucumber in Nigeria? To grow cucumber in Nigeria, you need a piece of land with good soil either loamy or clay soil, you need quality cucumber seedlings of seed, you need training on how to plant it successfully and you can start planting your cucumber right away.

In Nigeria today, most of the cucumbers that have been sold in the market are grown and supplied from the Northern part of the country.

This is not because cucumber is weather selective but rather, those in the northern area consume it more than those in other parts of the country.

So, let’s get to how you can start cultivating cucumber fruit right here in Nigeria.

How To Plant Cucumber In Nigeria Step By Step Guide

Following are step by step guides to starting growing Cucumber on your farmland;

Step 1: Get A Piece Of Farmland

First thing first, to grow cucumber, you may grow it in your backyard as small-scale farming and you may Procure large acres of farmland to start farming Cucumber on it. But any which option you deploy, you need to take note of the soil fertility of the soil.

You need farmland with neutral soil fertility of 7.0. the soil to grow Cucumber on should either be clay or loamy soil for better water retention.

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Also, you must ensure the farmland is situated where sunlight Ray is prevalent. Also, while selecting your Farm area, you need to consider access to the road network, and access to the market and must be closer to where you can monitor it from time to time.

Step 2: Prepare Your Farmland For Transplanting

The first thing you do as a farmer to prepare your soil for planting is clearing. You must ensure you clear the farmland from weeds, tall trees, shrubs, climbers, and other hindrances you may battle with in course of your planting.

An important thing you should take note of is, never use herbicides or insecticides of any sorts to clear Cucumber farm, Cucumbers absorb lots of moisture from the soil, and in the process of absorption, they may pick up those chemicals and insecticides which may be detrimental to the health of the consumer.

Also, it is preferable to deploy the use of organic fertilizer such as Poultry droppings or cow droppings, but in the case, you do not have access to these, you may use NPK fertilizer in the 15:15:15 ratio. Doing this will boost the productivity and yields of your cucumber farm.

Step 3: Buy A Viable Cucumber Seedlings Or Seed

The next thing is getting a viable cucumber seed in an agro store closer to you. The best seed quality will be recommended to you when you visit the agro store to make a purchase.

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You may ask how many Kg of Cucumber seedlings of seeds do you need for a hectare of land?

To plant cucumber on a hectare of farmland, a 5kg or 6kg seed is okay.

To plant Cucumber on an acre of farmland, you need just 2-3kg of Cucumber seed.

Step 4: Preparing The Bed

Next thing is to prepare the bed you want to plant your cucumber on in the farm.

You can make the bed be thick and not too tall for better water retention.

It is important you add an organic fertilizer at least 2 weeks before you plant your cucumber. This will give your cucumber the necessary elements to grow very well.

Step 5: Planting

There is two way to plant Cucumber, it can be planted directly on the prepared bed on the farm or you can first nurse it before finally transplanting it to the bed.

Any of the two options are good, but preferably, it is ideal to the first nurse before transplanting if you are embarking on it on a large scale, this will help you monitor the seed growth and give it adequate care before finally taking it to the field.

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While nursing, you should take important notes on the temperature as cucumber grows well in temperatures that range between 15-30C.

To plant cucumber, you make a hole of about 2cm deep and at least 1 feet spacing between two holes and about 3feet spacing between two rows.

Step 6: Staking, Weeding, And Nurturing

After you are done planting your Cucumber, after 2weeks, you need to stake it by planting a pillar in between the rows, this is because Cucumber is a climbers’ plant and they need to curl their leaves on the pillar to avoid rotting from the leave.

To prevent quick weed growth, it is advisable to mulch the surface of the soil. This prevents the weed from getting adequate light and at the same time heat up the ground to give a stunted growth to the weed.

To Nurture your Cucumber, you need to irrigate your farmland. Cucumbers are lovers of water, so to make your Cucumber carry the turgid and fresh seed, you need to supply water regularly.

Ensure you weed your cucumber farm regularly to prevent weed harming it. Also, take note of common pests and diseases and apply appropriate chemicals to combat this.

Step 6: Harvesting Of Your Cucumber

The last stage is harvesting. Usually, cucumbers mature and are ready for Harvesting between n 45-50 days after planting.

Do not wait for the cucumber to get ripe before you harvest it.

To harvest cucumber, you collect the green seed from the plant and wash it thoroughly with water to prevent infection.

The next thing is to take it to the market for sale.

Cucumber Farming In Nigeria Pdf:

Common Pest of Cucumbers

Following are the common pest that feeds on Cucumbers on the farm;

• Beetles
• Ladybird
• Spider mite
• Grasscutter
• Grasshopper

Common Cucumber Diseases

Following are the diseases common to Cucumber

• Mildew
• Mosaic
• Anthracnose
• Damping-off

Health Benefits Of Cucumber

There are numerous health advantages of eating vegetables. In most cases, it is eaten raw or as a salad ingredient. There is a lot of potassium in cucumbers, as well as folate, vitamin C, and calcium.

Additionally, it is low in calories, making it an ideal choice for those who are trying to reduce weight. Cucumber has been shown to have numerous health benefits, some of which are shown here.

Prevention of cancer

You may enhance your immune system and remove free radicals that have been linked to cancer by eating cucumbers, which contain antioxidants.

Oral Health

Gum disease and mouth sores, both of which can contribute to bad breath, may be helped by cucumber’s antioxidant properties.

Eye Care

Cucumber slices can be placed on either eye during cosmetic treatments. This has been linked to lessening the appearance of puffiness and under-eye bags.

Brain health

Memory and brain cell health are both improved and preserved by the anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber. Cucumbers may be able to protect the brain from disorders that cause memory loss.

Energy

Vitamins B1, B5, and B7 are found in abundance in cucumbers. Supplementing your diet with these vitamins can help you feel more alert and less affected by stress.

A healthy heart

Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, which has been linked to reducing blood pressure when consumed in moderation. Because of this, cucumber is a suitable choice for those with hypertension.

A Healthy Gut

Cucumbers are 95% water and 5% fiber, making them an excellent source of both. The fiber aids digestion by facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Loss of weight

In terms of weight management, cucumber is a low-calorie meal that helps you feel full for a longer amount of time, which is vital.

What Is The Best Month To Plant Cucumber?

Cucumber can be best planted during September and December in Nigeria, but cucumber can be planted any time of the year if given adequate care.

When Can I Plant Cucumber In Nigeria?

Cucumber can be best planted during September and December in Nigeria, but cucumber can be planted any time of the year if given adequate care.

How Much Is A Bag Of Cucumber In Nigeria?

A bag of cucumber cost about 3,000 or 8,000 depending on the season you are selling it.

Best Cucumber Seed In Nigeria

In Nigeria today, the best cucumber seed to grow are the following;

• Murano F1
• Tokyo F1
• Greengo F1
• Monalisa F1
• Darina F1.

These seeds have good productivity and have strong resistance to diseases.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have provided you with information on how to start profitable cucumber farming in Nigeria, and all you need to know. if there is additional information you needed, you may drop your questions via the comment sections below.