Before we look into starting a watermelon business in South Africa, let me quickly explain to you the descriptive aspect of the watermelon fruits in case you don’t know much about it and its origin.

Watermelon is an essential cucurbitaceous vegetable widely grown and consumed in most regions of South Africa.

The crop is generally cultivated during November through April, depending on water availability. The fruit crop requires a hot dry climate with warmer days and cooler nights.

Although there are many varieties of watermelon, farmers prefer to cultivate hybrids as they command better prices due to their high productivity in yield and sweetness in taste.

Watermelon is an excellent dessert fruit and the juice makes a good refreshing and cooling beverage. It is an edible flesh that contains 92% water, 0.2% protein, 0.3% minerals, and 7% carbohydrates.

You will surely agree with me that it is one of the most consumed fruits in South Africa. The reason behind this is not far-fetched owing to the good taste and the abundance of nutritional content which includes the presence of amino acids and citrulline (the body later converts it to arginine).

Having said all this, let’s discuss how to start up a watermelon business and how lucrative it can be. Every region of South Africa supports the cultivation of watermelon farming.

At present, the northern region of South Africa is responsible for the highest production of the fruit. The reason watermelon business is lucrative is that it requires low capital to start up and there is a high demand for it. Below are the necessary things to consider when starting up the business.

Capital

This is the major requirement for starting any business. You don’t need a lot of capital to start up a watermelon farm; the reason being that it is cost effective and easy to start up. The capital needed will solely depend on how large you want your farm to be. Listed below are the essential costs you will need money to cover.

Purchase of farmland
Money to get watermelon seeds (it is advisable to buy viable and disease-resistant seeds)
Farm equipment (much equipment is not needed because manual labour can be used alternatively)
Cost of labour (it is advisable to hire labourers since you’re targeting commercial production)
Farm inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides).

There are no fixed costs for all the aforementioned expenses; the total budget can vary from one place to another and they are, in many cases, negotiable.

Soil Requirement

Watermelon thrives best in a well-drained and not in water-logged soil with good air and water infiltration rates. Soil should be of 6 -7 PH. Liming can be done in case of low soil PH. It must also be noted that fine sand produces the highest watermelon when adequate fertilizer and water are added.

Soil and Land Preparation

Watermelon can be cultivated commercially on a wide variety of soils. Sandy loams have been proven to be the best for early crops while high productivity is recorded in loamy soils. Well-drained soil with high organic matter is best suited for cultivation. Land can be prepared by ploughing at right moisture content using a tractor or power tiller drawn plough to get the required soil tilt.

Recommended Varieties/Hybrids

Many varieties and hybrids of watermelon are made available by agricultural research institutes and private seed companies. Examples include Arka Yamato, Jyoti, and Augusta. Most commercial growers prefer Sugar Baby because it generates high yield and has good taste.

Sowing

Two different methods of sowing recommended are:

Furrow method: Open furrows at a distance of 2-3 meters apart. Sow the seeds on either side of the furrows and allow the vines to trail on the ground. Two plants/ hills should be maintained. In a furrow plant to plant, spacing should be 0.75 to 1m.
Pit method: Prepare pit of 60cm diameter and fill with a sufficient quantity of organic manure before sowing. Four plants/ pit should be maintained and pit to pit distance should be 2-3m.

Seed rate: Seed rate depends majorly on the variety or the hybrid. Usually, 3 kg/ha for small-seeded types and 5 kg/ha for large-seeded types are advisable. But for high yielding hybrids, the seed rate of 0.75 to 1kg is sufficient per hectare.

Seed treatment: Seeds with fungicide can be treated with Carbendazim @ 2g/kg of seed or Thiram @ 2g/kg of seed and are to be sowed immediately after treatment. Note that it is not advisable to combine fungicide treatment and biocontrol treatment together.

Post Planting Operations

The post planting operations of watermelon include:

Weed Management
Water Management
Pruning
Harvesting

1. Weed Management

Weed management spray, Butachlor @ 2kg/ha, after 3 days of sowing, removes the weeds by hand weeding after 15, 30 and 45 days of sowing.

2. Water Management

Watermelon needs to be irrigated at regular intervals of time as it thrives well when irrigated. Over-mulching is not recommended as it promotes excessive vegetative growth.

Watering of the watermelon fields should be stopped during ripening because it will negatively affect fruit quality and lead to fruit cracking. Water stagnation should be avoided during the pre-flowering, flowering and fruit development stage. Water the root zones only and not the vegetative growth, flowers, and fruits.

3. Pruning

Prune the excessive vine growth manually to restrict vegetative growth and promote a higher female to male flower ratio. If the apical shoot is pinched and 2-4 side shoots are allowed to grow, it gives significantly higher yield. Thin the fruits to retain only a maximum of 4-5 fruits per vine to improve fruit size and yield.

4. Harvesting

Watermelon harvesting starts 30-40 days after flowering. Harvest patterns of watermelon are given below. You may use it as a guide.

Harvest the fruit when it produces heavy dull sound upon tapping.
The maturity of the fruit is indicated when the fruit’s surface on the ground level produces a light yellow colour.

Marketing

Your harvest can be marketed to your target market area, which I believe you must have researched before venturing into the business. But one thing is sure; the demand for watermelon is always high.

How to Start Profitable Watermelon Farming Business in South Africa

Watermelon farming is a profitable business in South Africa. Watermelons are in high demand, and the fruit is loved by many South Africans. If you’re thinking of starting a watermelon farming business in South Africa, here’s how to do it.

Table – Steps to Start a Profitable Watermelon Farming Business in South Africa

Step	Description
1	Identify a suitable location for your watermelon farm. Choose a place with adequate sunlight and water supply.
2	Prepare the soil for planting. Ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile.
3	Choose the right watermelon variety for your farm. Consider factors such as disease resistance, yield per hectare, and market demand.
4	Plant your watermelon seeds or seedlings. Follow the planting instructions carefully.
5	Water and fertilize your watermelon plants regularly. Maintain a healthy crop by weeding, pruning and controlling pests.
6	Harvest your watermelons when they are ripe. Transport them to market or sell them directly to buyers.

By following these steps, you can start a profitable watermelon farming business in South Africa. However, it’s important to note that farming is not without its challenges. Be prepared to face issues such as pests, diseases, and adverse weather conditions. Ensure you have a good farming plan in place and seek professional guidance if necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, watermelon farming is a profitable business venture in South Africa. There is always a high demand for watermelons, and the fruit is a favorite among many South Africans. By following the steps outlined above, you can kick-start your watermelon farming business and reap the rewards. Remember to stay focused, diligent and committed, and success is sure to follow.