Vegetable growing is one of the most lucrative enterprises, not only for food security, but also as a source of quick income for farmers.
Vegetables take a short time to mature.
Joseph Male, one of the best farmers from the 2019 cohort explains that vegetable farming is suitable for people with limited capital and space because it is not capital-intensive and can be done in small areas, while still yielding a high return on investment.
“One of the advantages of vegetable farming is that they take a short time to mature. For example, kale sukuma wiki, spinach and spring onions, which take 30 days to harvest, while eggplants take 70 to 80 days. Additionally, these crops continue to sprout, guaranteeing ongoing cash flow as you continue to harvest over time,” he explains.
For instance, cabbage matures in about 65 days, with each head selling for between sh400 and sh1,000.
An acre can produce 12,000 heads; if approximately 5,000 are sold at sh1,000, you will earn sh5m. If you sell about 1,000 heads at sh800, you will earn sh800,000 and if 2,500 are sold at sh400, you will earn sh1m.
This means that if one planted an acre, they could earn about sh6.8m.
He adds that variety and quality seed selection are key to maximizing profits from vegetable farming.
Many farmers grow based on what they see others cultivating, but market dynamics have changed, leading to losses.
Male explains that to benefit more, farmers should first understand the market they are growing for, as the demand for vegetables is broad, extending right to the neighbourhood.
Pricey vegetables
However, there are specialised vegetable varieties with higher market prices that those aiming for quick profits should consider, such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and beetroot.
Male notes that these varieties are not commonly demanded by the average Ugandan, but have markets with restaurants, hotels and foreign export opportunities.
“These vegetables are a delicacy for people who are watching their diets, such as those aiming to lose weight, because they are part of healthy eating habits,” Male says, highlighting some of the most lucrative vegetables as:
Cauliflower: A member of the cabbage family, it matures between 60 and 65 days. Only the white flesh head, called the curd, is eaten. An acre can grow 12,500 plants, each selling for between sh1,000 and sh2,000, which means one can earn between sh10m and sh20m.
Broccoli: A cool-season crop, it has functional flower buds that are harvested and eaten. It matures between 50 and 65 days, with heads weighing between 800g and 1kg, selling for between sh1,500 and sh2,000.
Lettuce: Available in two varieties — iceberg and soft leaf lettuce — this is commonly consumed as salads and side dishes. It is sold by weight, with a 50kg sack going for between sh25,000 and sh35,000.
