List of promising crops you can plant now and earn more in just 3 months

The majority of Kenyans depend on agriculture especially crop production to earn their living. Vegetables production in particular has increased despite output price fluctuations.

August is the month most farmers harvest maize (varieties with 3-4 months of maturity) and start land preparation for octomber short rains.

It is also the month farmers raise seedlings for planting in September and octomber.

In this article we focus on crops farmers can plant in August and September to harvest in December or January when market prices will be a bit stable.

This is based on past production patterns and market trends.

Garden peas Peas (Minji)

The main season for garden peas is May and harvest is in June -August. Sadly it is during these months that prices are lowest below Ksh.20 per kilo farmgate and a retail price of Ksh. 50.

The good thing is that only a small number of farmers in Nyandarua, Nakuru and some parts of Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties farm garden peas which is able to sustain the market for two months. That is in July and some part of August.

From there garden peas prices start rising.

Garden peas take 75-90 days to mature. They are not heavy feeders and therefore do not require much fertilizer. The cost of management is minimal making it a better choice for farmers currently.

Read Also

The way to grow green peas(minji)

You can also order Green peas seeds which come in 500gm and 1kg pack sizes HERE

Potato

Local potato consumption is super high and what is produced in May-April short rain season can not sustain the Kenyan market the whole year.

The exploitation of potato farmers by brokers through the purchase of extra large (over recommended 50kg) bags at half market prices leaves farmers in losses.

To get good farm gate prices farmers should major in planting when others are not. This will ensure he harvests when others are planting and prices are stable due to low supply.

Currently, the market price for one bag is sh. 4000 . An increase of sh. 1500 from the month of June when market prices were ksh.2500 per bag.

Planting potatoes in August will enable farmers to harvest them in December or January when prices are quite stable.

Learn how to farm potatoes for high yield

Tomato

According to most farmers, tomato farming is the most risky enterprise. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and susceptible to most diseases which makes them the most costly crop to farm.

The tomato market is so volatile with prices changing daily. From May this year, prices have been low and are expected to remain so till September this year.

Most tomato farmers have shifted to onion farming which will lower supply in November and December and maybe January.

Farmers can raise seedlings in August, and transplant in September with an aim to harvest in from the end of November.

Here is the complete guide on tomato farming from planting to harvesting.

Capsicums

Green capsicums have turned out to be like tomatoes in terms of management. They are heavy feeders and are easily affected by diseases just like tomatoes.

Capsicums need a lot of water for good-sized fruits with long after-harvest shelf life. Though most farmers have ventured into it, they thrive well in long rainy seasons increasing market supply and pushing prices down.

Planting capsicums in September enables farmers to harvest them when prices are high in the festive month of December due to high demand.

Here is the full guide on Capsicum farming.

Other crops that farmers can plant are coriander (dhania), carrots, broccoli and cauliflowers.

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