There are a lot of fast growing crops in Nigeria. These are crops that are planted and harvested within a period of 1 – 6 months.
These fast growing crops enable farmers to recoup their investment in farming and also to make profit within a reasonable period of time.
Some Fast Growing Crops in Nigeria
- Cucumber
- Okra
- Fluted Pumpkin (Ugwu)
- Ewedu
- Soko
- Tomato
- Pepper
- Watermelon
- Irish Potato
- Sweet Potato
- Spinach
- Beans
1. Cucumber
Cucumber starts fruiting as early as 35 days after planting. It is one of the fast growing crops in Nigeria. Cucumbers can be planted by seed on the field, after a few weeks of tending on the plants on the field, you start harvesting.
Harvesting is usually done after every 2 – 3 days. Some varieties of cucumbers that are fast growing in Nigeria are Darina F1, Murano F1, Greengo F1, Tokyo F1 and Monalisa F1 etc.
2. Okra
Okra matures as early as 35 days after planting. Okra is a vegetable crop that grows well in tropical environment like Nigeria.
Farmers can start harvesting okra fruits after a few weeks of planting. Okra prefers a soil that is rich in organic matter.
3. Fluted Pumpkin (Ugwu)
Ugwu is unarguable the most popular leafy vegetable in Nigeria. It is eaten by almost everybody in Nigeria. The soup made with ugwu is a delicacy for Nigerians.
Ugwu can be harvested as early as the 30th day of planting. Ugwu needs staking in order for it to yield a lot of leaves and pods.
4. Ewedu
Just like Ugwu, Ewedu is a leafy vegetable used by Nigerians in making different types of soups. Ewedu is a fast growing crop. Harvest of this crop can start as early as 30 days after planting.
Ewedu should be planted in soil rich in nutrients. Water should also be available for irrigation.
5. Soko
Soko is also a leafy vegetable crop. Soko leaves are used in making soups in Nigeria. Soko as a fast growing crop can be harvested within 30 days of planting.
Soko can be planted in a small piece of land. The main attraction to growing this crop is the short time it takes from planting to harvest.
6. Tomato
Tomato starts fruiting within 3 months of transplanting. This makes this crop a fast growing crop.
Tomato reaches harvest 60 – 75 days after transplanting to the field. The yield of tomato per acre can be up to 30 tons if Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are observed.
Some fast growing tomato seeds that can be planted are Platinum F1, Padma F1, Cobra F1, Diva F1 and Shanty F1 etc.
7. Pepper
Pepper is one of fast growing crops in Nigeria. It can be harvested within 3 months of transplanting to the field. The types of peppers that can be grown in Nigeria include sweet pepper, habanero peppers and chilli peppers.
Pepper needs a nursery before the actual transplanting of the seedlings to the field. Pepper can be harvested 60 – 80 days after transplanting. This makes it one of the 3 months crops in Nigeria.
Some of the fast growing varieties of habanero peppers that can be planted in Nigeria include Avenir F1, Super Habanero F1, Efia and Piquante F1.
Do you cultivate any fast growing crops in Nigeria? If yes, why not share your experiences with us in the comments’ section.