Top 5 Most Profitable Crops for Small-Scale Farmers 2025

While profitability in farming is not guaranteed, some crops can help farmers earn a profit or at least break even. Profit is the amount earned after deducting all input costs, including labour.

For example, if you plant 1,000 heads of cabbage at a cost of Ksh. 10 each, your total production cost will be Ksh. 10,000. If you sell them for Ksh. 15 each, your total sales will be Ksh. 15,000, resulting in a profit of Ksh. 5,000.

In farming, it’s important to be realistic and aim for small profits, as larger profits are often due to luck.

The following crops are recommended because they have shorter maturation periods, require lower initial investments, and have a broad market appeal.

Small-scale farmers typically work with one-eighth of an acre, which is equivalent to a 50×100 ft plot or 0.125 acres.

1. Beans

Beans are one of the most profitable crops due to their fast growth (under three months), low production costs, and high local consumption.

You will need 2.5 kg of bean seeds for one-eighth of an acre, costing Ksh. 250. Additional costs include planting labour at Ksh. 500, weeding chemicals at Ksh. 500, and other expenses amounting to Ksh. 1,000. This brings the total production cost to Ksh. 2,750.

Read Also: Everything You Need to Know on How to Grow Rosecoco Beans

With good management, a farmer can harvest 1 to 1.5 bags of 90 kg each. If sold at Ksh. 80 per kg, the total revenue would be Ksh. 10,800. Subtracting the costs (Ksh. 10,800 – Ksh. 2,750), the profit would be Ksh. 8,050.

2. Garden Peas (Minji)

Garden peas are popular but tend to be expensive. They are relatively easy to grow and have a wide market.

You will need 2 kg of garden pea seeds for one-eighth of an acre, costing Ksh. 1,800. Labour and other costs would total Ksh. 1,500, bringing the total cost to Ksh. 3,300.

Read Also: How to farm the most ideal crop, Garden peas (Minji)

You can produce around 200 kg with effective management, selling at Ksh. 50 per kg. This yields a revenue of Ksh. 10,000. After deducting the costs (Ksh. 10,000 – Ksh. 3,300), the profit would be Ksh. 6,700.

3. Dhania (Coriander)

Dhania, unlike many other vegetables, has a quick turnover in the market. With a maturation period of 30 to 35 days, you will only need 250 grams of seeds for one-eighth of an acre, costing around Ksh. 800. Other costs would amount to Ksh. 1,500.

Read Also: How to grow dhania (coriander) in under 40 days

With good management, you can harvest 200 kg and sell at Ksh. 40 per kg, resulting in a revenue of Ksh. 8,000. After subtracting costs (Ksh. 8,000 – Ksh. 2,300), the profit would be Ksh. 5,700.

4. Green Maize

The demand for green maize, especially among maize roasters, has increased significantly. However, it’s essential to plant the varieties they prefer.

You will require only 1 kg of maize seeds for one-eighth of an acre, costing Ksh. 500. Including other expenses for fertilizer and labour, the total cost would come to Ksh. 2,500.

A farmer could produce 2,000 ears of green maize and sell each for Ksh. 5, resulting in a total revenue of Ksh. 10,000. This gives a profit of (Ksh. 10,000 – Ksh. 2,500) = Ksh. 7,500.

If a market is unavailable for green maize, the farmer may still harvest five bags of dry maize.

This supplemental cost would increase total expenses by Ksh. 2,000, leading to a profit of Ksh. 5,500 by selling each bag for Ksh. 2,000 (Ksh. 10,000 – Ksh. 4,500).

5 Indigenous Vegetables

Although Indigenous vegetables experience lower demand during the rainy seasons, they can be easily sold to neighbours. Varieties include spinach, Managu (Black nightshade), Terere (Amaranthus), and Sagaa (Spider plant).

These vegetables mature very quickly, and seeds can be purchased for as low as Ksh. 60. Prices per kilo vary from Ksh. 5 to Ksh. 30. All these crops yield at least a 20% profit margin.

This approach can be replicated for larger-scale farmers, but it’s essential to identify the market first.

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