List of Farm Inputs Needed for Cucumber Farming in Nigeria

List of Farm Inputs Needed for Cucumber Farming in Nigeria

Cucumber farming is an agricultural venture that requires a good understanding of the necessary farm inputs required for success. From seed selection to soil preparation, planting, and post-planting care, cucumber farming demands a significant investment in time, money, and resources. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the essential inputs needed for cucumber farming, including the type of soil and irrigation systems required, the ideal planting period, and the best methods for pest and disease control.

Whether you are an experienced farmer or a beginner in the agricultural sector, this post will provide you with valuable insights into the critical farm inputs required for a successful cucumber farming venture. Are you interested in a comprehensive cost of setting up a drip irrigation system for a cucumber farm per plot/acre/hectare? If so, keep reading.

One way to increase yield and maximize profits is by using drip irrigation systems. Drip irrigation is a modern and efficient method of irrigation that delivers water directly to the roots of plants, reducing water loss through evaporation and minimizing weed growth. In this blog post, we will discuss the cost of setting up a drip irrigation system for a cucumber farm per plot, acre, and hectare.

Before we dive into the cost of setting up a drip irrigation system for a cucumber farm, let’s take a look at the planting materials and other services needed for a plot.

Seeds

For a plot, let’s assume you’re using Darina seeds for example. Darina seed pack (10g) with about 500 seeds which is enough. 7 Packs of cucumber seeds will be enough for a plot. For a cucumber farm per acre, you will need to purchase 40 packs of Darina cucumber seeds. For a hectare, you’ll need 100 packs of Darina cucumber seeds (10g).

Fertilizers

For a plot, you will need 1 bag of NPK Fertilizer, 1 bag each of Potassium and Calcium Nitrate fertilizers and 1 bottle each of Grand Humus and DI Grow Fertilizers. For an acre, you will need 4 bags of NPK fertilizer, 1 bag each of Potassium and Calcium Nitrate fertilizers and 2 bottles of Grand Humus and 6 bottles of DI Grow Fertilizers. For a hectare, you will need 10 bags of NPK fertilizer, 3 bags of Potassium Nitrate (You will need only 2 and a half bags), 1 bag of Calcium Nitrate, 5 bottles of Grand Humus/King Humus, and 15 bottles of DI Grow/Tecamin/Super Grow (Ltr).

Pesticides and Fungicides

For a plot, to protect your cucumber plants from pests and diseases, you will need pesticides and fungicides. Use 1 bottle (500ml) of pesticide with Lambda-cyhalothrin 5% + Imidacloprid 15% SC  as the active ingredient. For instance, Laraforce Gold has Lambda-cyhalothrin 5% + Imidacloprid 15% SC as its active ingredient. You also need 1 bottle of pesticide with Spirotretamat 75g/l + Flubendiamide 100g/l as its active ingredient – Tihan (100ml) is a good example. For Fungicide, use the one with Pyraclostrobin – eg Cabrio Duo (200ml), Metalaxyl-M 40g/kg and Mancozeb 640g/kg – eg Ridomil Gold Mz (250g) and Mancozeb 80% WP – eg Zforce (50g). 

For an acre, you will need 5 bottles of pesticide that have Lambda-cyhalothrin 5% + Imidacloprid 15% SC  as the active ingredient. And 5 bottles of pesticide that have Spirotretamat 75g/l + Flubendiamide 100g/l as its active ingredient. Also, you’ll need 2 bottles of fungicide with Pyraclostrobin, 3 bottles of fungicide with Metalaxyl-M 40g/kg & Mancozeb 640g/kg and 5 sachets of fungicide with Mancozeb 80% WP as the active ingredient. 

Equipment/Materials

Other materials you may need for your cucumber farm include a Knapsack Sprayer (16ltrs), Staking Net (2*100m), and Twine (Bag). For a plot you need 1 Knapsack sprayer, 4 staking nets, and 1 bag of Twine). For acre (1 Knapsack sprayer, 20 staking nets, 1 bag Twine). For a hectare (2 Knapsack sprayers, 40 staking nets, 1 bag Twine).

Drip Irrigation Set Up

Now, let’s talk about the cost of setting up a drip irrigation system for a cucumber farm per plot. For a drip irrigation system, you will need drip tapes (500m;0.2mm) for ₦35,000, Layflat/Mainline hose (100m; 2″) for ₦45,000, Layflat/Mainline connector without valve (100pcs/pack) for ₦16,000, End cap for ₦10,000, Joiners for ₦14,000, Punch for ₦6,000, Venturi for ₦16,500, and Hold down support (50pcs/pack) for ₦9,500.

For an acre, you will need to set up drip tapes that cover a distance of 2000 meters with a diameter of 0.2mm. Two rolls of drip tapes will be needed for this, for ₦70,000 each, bringing the total to ₦140,000.

In addition to the drip tapes, you will need a layflat/mainline hose that covers a distance of 100 meters with a diameter of 2 inches, which costs ₦45,000. You will also need a layflat/mainline connector without a valve (100 pieces/pack) which costs ₦16,000. An end cap will also be needed for ₦10,000.

Lastly, you will need a venturi to enable the proper mixing of fertilizers with the water. A venturi costs ₦16,500. The total cost for the drip irrigation equipment per acre is therefore ₦304,500.

You will also need to clear the land for ₦20,000.00 and make the bed for ₦10,000. Additionally, you will need 15 bags of poultry manure, which cost ₦37,500, Binding wire (1 Bundle) for ₦22,000.00, you will need 28 bamboos at ₦19,600, and a dozen of Harvesting sacks which cost ₦11,900.

In addition to the materials and services listed above, there are other irrigation items and services available at separate costs that can be useful for your cucumber farming project. These include a water pumping machine with a capacity of 6.5 horsepower for ₦80,000, a 2500-liter water tank for ₦100,000, and a fertigation tank for ₦25,000.

It’s worth noting that installation services are also available at a separate cost. You can opt for the drip irrigation setup installation service for a plot, which costs ₦100,000. Additionally, there is a general consultancy service charge of ₦50,000.

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To summarize, the total cost of the cucumber combo per plot, including materials and services needed, is ₦203,900. This amount covers the cost of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and other materials, as well as services such as land clearing, bed making, and installation of a drip irrigation setup. Keep in mind that additional items and services, such as water tanks and pumps, are available at a separate cost.

Please Note: All the prices listed above are Farmsquare’s prices and it’s subject to change as prices of farm inputs are not stable. Contact us to get the current prices of farm inputs before you place your order on our platform OR WhatsApp/Call any of 07049089805, 08135196537 for details.

Good News: You can enjoy a 5% discount when you purchase all the items you need for a plot, acre, or hectare.

In conclusion, cucumber farming can be a lucrative venture, but it requires careful planning, proper management, and adequate resources. With the right materials and services, however, you can set up a successful cucumber farm and enjoy the rewards of your hard work.