Is watermelon farming profitable in India?
When it comes to watermelon profits, it is very much profitable crop due to growing demand and income per acre. A watermelon farmer gets a profit of 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per acre in India in 2 to 3 months period.
How do you succeed in watermelon farming?
The steps you need to follow for a successful watermelon harvest are as follows;
- Step 1: Choose a good site.
- Step 2: Land Preparation.
- Step 3: Select a viable watermelon seed variety.
- Step 4: Irrigate the watermelon farm.
- Step 5: Weed Control.
- Step 6: Fertilizer Application.
- Step 7: Care for the watermelon fruit.
What month is the best time to plant watermelon in India?
In North Indian plains, watermelons are sown in February-March whereas in North eastern and western India best time of sowing is during November to January. In South and Central India, where winter is neither severe nor long, these are grown almost round the year.
How many watermelons can you grow per acre?
Native to central Africa, watermelons were first cultivated by ancient Egyptians. Farmers plant 1,600 to 1,800 watermelon plants per acre. One commercially-grown plant produces one or two melons in the field.
How much profit is an acre of watermelon?
Watermelon Crops Guide
| Estimated Cost | $700 to $1500 per acre |
|---|---|
| Yield Potential | 10,000 – 70,000 lbs/ac |
| Profit Potential | $0 to $2,000 per acre |
| Adapted Areas | Statewide |
| Labor Requirements | 1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest, hand harvested |
What is the seed rate of watermelon?
For sowing one acre land, seed rate of 1.5 to 2 kg is required. Before sowing treat seed with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds. After chemical treat seeds with Trichoderma viride@4gm per kg of seeds.
What is the best month to plant watermelon?
- Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above.
- Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Is it profitable to grow watermelon?
Growing watermelon –if done rationally and on a scalable basis- can be a good source of income. In a few words, most commercial watermelon growers start the crop from seeds (hybrids) in an indoor protected environment. Most commercial watermelon varieties can be harvested 78-90 days after transplanting.
Which soil is best for watermelon?
Sandy loam
Sandy loam rich in organic matter with good drainage and pH range for 6.5-7.5 is ideal for cultivation of watermelon.
How much money can you make selling watermelon?
What is a good fertilizer for watermelons?
When fertilizing watermelon plants, use nitrogen based fertilizer at the onset. Once the plant begins flowering, however, switch to feeding the watermelon a phosphorus and potassium based fertilizer. Watermelons require ample potassium and phosphorus for optimal melon production.
What is the best soil for watermelon?
sandy loam soils
Melons grow best on well-drained, sandy loam soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Soils with a pH less than 6.0 will produce plants with yellow foliage that set few or no fruit. You can improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.
How to grow watermelon in India?
Watermelon Planting Material. Watermelons grow from seeds. However, it is advisable to sow the seeds of watermelons bought from trusted place. There are different varieties of watermelon in India yielding a good harvest such as Vandana, Kiran, Sugar Baby, Watermelon Sultan, Improved Shipper, Madhubala, Arjun, etc.
How do you grow a watermelon plant from seed?
Amend soil with aged manure or compost before planting. Watermelons are heavy feeders. Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6 and 6.8. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun’s heat longer. Space the plants about 2 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill.
Which country produces the most watermelon in the world?
In 2011, the world’s largest producers of watermelon were China, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, and the United States, respectively. India ranked 28th, producing approximately 375,000 metric tonnes in the same year—put in perspective, this amount accounted for a mere .38 percent of the world’s consumption.
Can watermelon be grown in the tropics?
Watermelons vary in shape; from globular to oblong. External rind color varies from light to dark green and maybe solid, marbled, or striped. Watermelon can be grown year-round in the tropics and it is a warm-season crop. By choosing suitable varieties and giving them proper care, good quality of Watermelons can be produced in the tropics.