Growing Vegetables, a Potential Money Spinner for Farmers in Africa.
Vegetables have a short gestation period (60 to 80 days), plus an unending demand, making it a money spinner for farmers. However, it is often dismissed as a less serious form of agriculture. This perception overlooks the significant profitability it can yield.
According to a survey by African Journals Online, the majority (75.4%) of vegetable farmers are female. Most of these farmers (41.3%) are aged 36–45 years, with a large majority (74.6%) being married. About 45.2% consider farming their primary occupation, and 44.4% are involved in cultivating vegetables on farm sizes ranging from 1–2 hectares, with 66.7% of the farmers owning land by inheritance. These findings are corroborated by studies from Effiong, Ijeoma, and Effiong (2016), Ayanwuyi, Ogunlade, and Oyetoro (2010), and Effiong, Effiong, and Udo (2015), all indicating that vegetable farming is predominantly a female-led activity. In many cases, women dominate this farming sector, primarily because they grow what they need for their household and sell the surplus.
Friday Agbo, a senior agronomist with Zowasel, an agric-tech company, believe that vegetable farming can achieve much more with the right approach. “I know a smallholder farmer who made over N60 million last year from vegetable farming. It’s a lucrative business, but many people don’t know,” Agbo said.
In September 2023, Zowasel partnered with Bayer Crop Science, a company offering farmers around the world improved seed varieties, to conduct a vegetable demo pilot. This partnership aimed to test the improved tomato seed variety Ansal F1 and cucumber variety Bristol F1. The introduction of these high-quality seeds is expected to lead to increased and more sustainable yields for farmers who embrace the opportunity.
Mr. Sakwe Njoh, a vegetable farmer in Uruan, Akwa Ibom State, praised Zowasel and Bayer for providing access to the high-yielding Ansal F1 tomato seeds. Similarly, Mrs. Enok, a farmer in Ukum, Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, expressed gratitude for the introduction of these high-yielding tomato seedlings, which have become a reliable source of income in a community where men are predominantly involved in cocoa cultivation.
These success stories are reshaping perceptions about the vegetable farming industry. According to Olawale Ojo, Bayer’s representative, the vegetable pilot project was a success because Zowasel ensured farmers’ participation at all stages of the field activities.
As high-quality seeds and advanced technology become more accessible, the future of vegetable farming in Africa looks promising. The strategic partnership between Zowasel and Bayer holds the potential to transform the vegetable value chain and unlock its full economic benefits. By adopting high-quality seeds and advanced agricultural practices, farmers can achieve higher yields in a shorter time, leading to increased profitability.
If you would like to start your journey in agriculture, you can reach out to us via email at marketplace@zowasel.com for tailored recommendations and services.
