Cabbage is among the most consumed vegetables in Kenya. With its high demand and popularity, cabbage is the most preferred vegetable to be grown by most farmers in Kenya. Moreover, its health benefits make this delicacy a feature in most cuisines. In this article, you will find out whether cabbage farming is profitable in Kenya.
Yes, cabbage farming is profitable, fetching a high market price with a net profit of Ksh. 220,000 per acre without including your expenses. Cabbage takes a short time to mature, thus becoming a very lucrative venture that small-scale and large-scale farmers in Kenya widely practice to make a profit.
Cabbage is a vegetable food crop that grows well in most Kenyan soils, with a pH range of 6.0-6.5 and a high organic matter content. Furthermore, cabbage varieties differing in color, weight, and size are best determined by the farmer, taking into account market conditions, preferences, and demand.
4 Factors That Make Cabbage Farming Profitable in Kenya
The following are four factors that make cabbage farming profitable in Kenya:
1. There is a Ready Market
Cabbage is a prevalent dish in most Kenyan homes that can be consumed in various ways, either raw, steamed, or cooked; this gives it a high market value due to its broad consumption in terms of recipes.
2. It Has a Faster Maturity Time
Cabbage takes about 3–4 months to reach maturity and is ready for harvest. Consequently, a farmer can get high returns within a short period. Moreover, it implies that this vegetable can be grown about 2–3 times, depending on your weather.
3. It Has a Long Shelf Life
Cabbage can stay longer from the postharvest period, giving you enough time to transport your products to the market at your own pace. Additionally, customers have the choice to buy in bulk as this enables them to exhaust their stock before it goes bad.
4. Cabbage is Easy to Transport
Handling cabbage is easier compared to other vegetables, which are more delicate and require a specialized means of transport to the market. Therefore, cabbage can withstand any means of transport.
Cost of Farming Cabbage per Acre in Kenya
Before starting any farming activity, this is the first question to ask yourself to maximize your resources to earn the highest profits. This includes all the farming activities such as renting a farm, buying farm inputs, marketing, transporting, and labor.
The cost of farming cabbage per acre in Kenya is Ksh. 80,000, with an expected gross profit of Ksh. 300,000 and a net profit of Ksh. 220,000.
You may be wondering how profitable cabbage farming is in Kenya. Below is an explanation of how cabbage is profitable in Kenya:
Cabbage Profit Breakdown
The breakdown is calculated as below:
1 acre is estimated to produce 15,000 heads of cabbage
1 cabbage goes at Ksh.20
Therefore:
Ksh.20 ×15,000 heads =
Ksh. 300,000 (Gross Profit)
Expected Cabbage Profit Per Acre
The expected profit is the total sum of all the farm activities with deduction of other expenses as
below:
= Gross Profit – Other expenses
Estimated expenses =Ksh. 80,000
Gross profit = Ksh. 300,000
Ksh. 300,000 – Ksh. 80,000
= Ksh. 220,000 (Net profit)
Factors Affecting Cost of Farming Cabbage per Acre in Kenya
Like other agricultural activities, cabbage farming faces challenges that might raise the cost of production. They include:
1. Lack of Soil Nutrients
Soil nutrients are essential for healthy cabbage growth. Low soil nutrients will require a large quantity of fertilizer to supplement the crops with essential minerals, so the farmer will have to dig deeper into their pocket to meet the demand.
2. Disease and Pest Breakout
You are required to follow the correct routine management during the production process to keep off pests and diseases that might be costly if they attack your crops in the field. To maintain a healthy field crop, all field procedures should be carried out at the right time and stage.
3. Where to Acquire Your Farm Inputs
You are supposed to acquire your farm inputs from the right and licensed dealers to avoid losses that may result from fake or expired products, resulting in un-uniform germination, poor growth, and low yields.
4. Location of the Farm
Farms located in regions with poor roads will increase the time your products take to reach the market. Therefore, you should ensure your farm is located in a well-accessible place. In addition, to increasing the time length the cabbage will last in the customer’s storage, this will build their confidence in buying your produce.
5. Type of Labour
There are two types of labor:
1. Human Labor
The use of human labor is relatively high since it requires more personnel to perform the various tasks at the farm but is the most available and common type of labor to small-scale and income farmers and also the most available
2. Machinery
Some or all the farm activities are performed by machines; this reduces the number of human labor and increases efficiency, machines are much more expensive during installation, but the most prolific if affordable.
Tips to Increase Cabbage Profit per Acre
Here are the tips to help increase your production and earn more profit:
1. Use Certified Seeds
Before starting your project, finding a suitable variety of seeds that suit your ecological zone is essential. Ensure they are of high quality. This increases the production rate to give you more productivity and earn you high profits.
2. Plant Your Crop at the Right Time
Timely planting is the most critical factor to consider while planting cabbage, and this will help you avoid losses that result from pests and diseases. Furthermore, prices in the market fluctuate according to seasons. Therefore, timely planting will help you meet the reasonable market demand.
3. Ensure Your Crops Get Enough Water
During the dry season, your crops should be well irrigated to avoid wilting and ensure they are healthy and more attractive to customers at the market, since most customers make their choices based on the appearance of the products before buying.
4. Use the Right Certified Fertilizer
You should apply the right amount of fertilizer per the manufacturer’s instructions at the right time to avoid wastage and boost your crops with essential minerals for faster growth and high yield. The wrong fertilizer may be harmful to your crops.