When we analysed factors to consider before venturing into farming, Cost and profit were and are still the most important factors. We said profit is not measured by acreage or type of crop you farm. It’s simply selling price minus cost (S.P-C.)
Therefore, you can profit in the kitchen garden with your coriander (dhania) while the other is losing ten acres of tomatoes or onions. Some of these crops that have a low cost of production and high selling price, thus good profit, include;
1. Coriander leaves (Dhania)
Coriander is the easiest crop to produce at a low cost and in a small space. Dhania has high returns per unit area of land, its seeds are available and ready market. Since it is less affected by pests and diseases, little management skills are required.
2. Cowpeas leaves (Kunde)
Diet-related diseases have made most people shift to indigenous vegetables like cowpeas leaves. This has increased its demand, calling for high prices. Cowpeas’ early maturity-30 days from planting, means a high rate of return on investment. They are less affected by diseases and thus easy to manage at a low cost.
Read Also: Best cabbage varieties to farm
3. Canola leaves (kansila, Sarat)
Canola is famous for its expensive cooking oil and by-products used in feed formulation. However, did you know its leaves harvested before flowering are very nutritional? Most people, especially those with stomach ulcers, prefer canola leaves. This has created high demand. Its ability to mature as early as 21 days from planting increases the rate of returns.
4. Black nightshade (Managu)
Managu is an indigenous vegetable with two varieties, narrow-leafed and wide-leafed, but with the same nutritional content. Black nightshade leaves have become the third most consumed green vegetable after kale and spinach. Wide market demand and low cost of production and skills make it a better crop to produce.
5. Cereal Beans
One can argue that it’s expensive to farm beans. But that is not the case. Unlike other crops, beans do well in poor, fertile soils and do not require high rainfall throughout production. It is good to state that we are talking of beans farmed only for cereals, not horticulture like French beans, runner beans and others. Once you control blight, you are good to go.
Read Also: How to farm tomatoes successfully
The success of these crops is purely dependent on;
- Choosing the right seeds
- Correct planting
- Planting with adequate farmyard manure
- Good irrigation where necessary for the first four crops
- Harvesting and handling
- Quality
- Prevailing market prices
