If farming with vegetables for profit is your dream, read on as I dissect this mode of crop farming and how one could make good returns from it. Unlike livestock farming, growing vegetables cost less, and you won’t need to buy expensive feed or build housing for your animals. You will only need a good water supply, a piece of land, and sometimes pesticides if necessary.
These all add up to why vegetable farming is profitable in Namibia. You also generate your own seeds each year with vegetable farming, so, once you have a large profitable vegetable crop, you can repeat this each year.
The problem with vegetable farming, however, is its high dependency on the weather system. Long and intense hot periods like drought or continuous rain during stormy seasons can largely downscale your vegetable farming profits.
To counteract this, plant the right crop for your small farm that is harvested easily and in a short duration to avoid prolonged exposure to different weather systems, therefore gaining you a more rewarding profit.
The most profitable vegetables to grow in Namibia are the following: spinach, butternut, pumpkin, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, corn and carrots. Many types of leafy vegetables are also in high demand. There is also a strong market and demand for oilseed.
The first thing you need to start farming vegetables is the right land. There are two important things to consider here: the size of the land you have available and the climate and soil of the land. Vegetable farming is all about the volume you produce. The more vegetables you are able to farm and sell, the more profitable your vegetable farming business will be.
In order to farm vegetables at a greater volume, you will need to have more land available. You will also need to make sure the land is suitable for vegetable farming. Of course, each different vegetable has different requirements, but there are a few elements that all crops need. These are sun, healthy soil, and water.
Before planting vegetables, you will need to have good soil. This could require a lot of fertilising and mulching. You will also need to set up an irrigation system and ensure the crops will get enough sunlight.
Once these important elements have been established, starting a vegetable farm is relatively straightforward. You will need seeds, farming tools, and a way to transport your vegetable harvest to where you sell it. Ideally, your vegetable farm is not far away from the market.
If you will not be farming organically, you will also require certain pesticides. Some vegetable farms involve tunnels or greenhouses. This can help you achieve a greater and more consistent yield, but it can be expensive to set up.
Starting vegetable farming can be a simple or complex operation – it really just depends on the scale of what you’re farming. Large commercial vegetable farms may require tractors and expensive pivot irrigation systems. However, it’s also possible to start a small vegetable farm with only a small patch of land, a shovel, and a hosepipe for watering.
If you’re thinking of getting into farming, then vegetable farming is one of the most accessible options. By planting the right crop in the right place, you can enjoy a highly rewarding, profitable agricultural business.