Farmers Can Earn Lakhs in Profit by Cultivating Cucumber

This seasonal demand enables farmers to earn significant profits by cultivating cucumbers.

What are the benefits and profits of cultivating cucumber? Cucumber is a widely cultivated cash crop in India. Cool and humid weather is ideal for its growth. The crop should be planted between mid-January and the first week of February to ensure that fruits are ready during the summer season when cucumber is in high demand. This seasonal demand enables farmers to earn significant profits by cultivating cucumbers.

Ideal Conditions for Cucumber Cultivation

• Soil Type: Sandy loam soil is the best for cucumber cultivation. The soil should have an adequate amount of organic matter and proper drainage.
• Temperature: A temperature of around 20°C is suitable for seed germination, while 25–35°C is ideal for plant growth. However, high temperatures can cause flowers to fall prematurely.
• Seed Selection: Choosing high-quality seeds and advanced varieties is essential for a good yield.

Advanced Varieties of Cucumber

1. Jainpuri: This variety produces fruits of average length and can yield 150–180 quintals per hectare.
2. Arka Sheetal: Known for its light yellow, one-foot-long fruits, this variety can yield up to 200 quintals per hectare.
3. Punjab Special: Suitable for North Indian states, this variety produces light yellow fruits and matures early. It also delivers yields exceeding 200 quintals per hectare.

Steps for Cultivating Cucumber

1. Land Preparation:

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   • Clear the field of weeds and plow it thoroughly using a cultivator.
   • Use a rotavator to loosen the soil and then level the field.
   • Create drainage channels for proper water management.

2. Nursery Preparation:

   • Sow 2.5–3 kg of seeds per hectare in a nursery.
   • The plants will be ready for transplantation in 20–25 days.
   • Transplant the nursery plants along the prepared drainage channels.

3. Fertilizer Application:

   • During the final plowing, apply 10–15 trolleys of cow dung manure per hectare.
   • Add 150 kg of NPK fertilizer before planting.
   • Apply 25 kg of urea fertilizer before flowering to boost yield.

4. Irrigation:

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   • Immediate irrigation is not required after sowing.
   • During summer, irrigate the crop twice a week.
   • Once flowers and fruits appear, light irrigation should be provided regularly.

Harvesting and Profitability

Cucumbers are ready for harvesting within 80–90 days. It is important to harvest the fruits at the right time, as soft and fresh cucumbers are in high demand in the market. A farmer cultivating cucumbers on one hectare can achieve a yield of over 200 quintals. This translates to a profit of more than ₹4 lakh in just 100 days, making cucumber cultivation a highly profitable venture for farmers.

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