Grow winter crops driven by demand (AGRIMONITOR)

Vegetables grown at the right time typically thrive and grow optimally
During winter, farmers in these zones can grow a variety of winter vegetables such as onions, cabbage, lettuce, beetroot, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower to meet local demand.
Ellanie Smit
  • 9 Hours Ago
Wintertime offers an opportune time for farmers to grow a variety of crops that are driven by market demand.

Angribank’s technical advisor for crops and poultry, Hanks Saisai, said that vegetables grown at the right time typically thrive and grow optimally, producing significant yields.

According to him, onions are a common crop that can be grown during the upcoming winter season.

“This crop prefers a range of soils, but loamy soils conventionally produce better results for farmers.”

According to Saisai, onions require temperature ranges of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius during the day and wintertime offers such temperatures for optimal growth.

Onions have a growing period of 90 to 155 or 200 days, depending on the variety grown by the farmer.

He added that the water requirements for onions range from 400 to 600 mm over the growing period, and if planted accordingly, a farmer can achieve an average yield of 30 tons per hectare.

With regards to cabbage, Saisai said that this is another common crop that can be grown during the winter season.

“This crop prefers a range of soils, but loamy soil produces the best results for farmers.”

The soil should be well-drained with good aeration and contain an abundance of organic matter to supply sufficient nutrients, said Saisai.

He also explained that cabbage must be sown in seedling trays and at a later stage, the farmer can transplant the seedlings into prepared seedbeds until they reach maturity.

Cabbage has a growing period of 85 to 90 or 120 days, depending on the variety grown. Saisai said that the water requirements for growing cabbages range from 440 to 500 mm over the growing period.

“If planted correctly and properly cared for, a farmer can achieve an average yield of 40 000 to 50 000 heads per hectare.”

Beetroot, known for its nutritious roots, can also be grown during winter. Saisai further elaborated that this crop can also be grown in a wide range of soils, but prefers loamy soil for good results.

He added that the ideal day temperature for growing beetroot should range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius for optimal growth.

According to Saisai, beetroots have a growing period of 60 to 90 days, depending on the variety.

He said that beetroot has water requirements ranging from 400 to 600 mm over the growing period and if planted correctly and properly cared for, a farmer can achieve an average yield of 20 tons per hectare.

Meanwhile, Saisai said that lettuce is another common crop that can be grown during winter and is known for its nutritious leaves that are often popular in the fast-food industry. Lettuce can be grown in a range of soils, but loamy soil is always ideal for optimal yields. The soil should be well-drained with good aeration and must contain a lot of organic matter to provide sufficient nutrients.

Saisai said that lettuce requires temperature ranges of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius during the day and can tolerate frost of maximum below 3 degrees Celsius. Wintertime offers such temperatures for optimal growth.

According to him, lettuce has a growing period of 45 to 75 days, depending on the variety grown by the farmer.

The water requirements for lettuce crops range from 440 to 500 mm over the growing period. If planted correctly and properly cared for, a farmer can achieve an average yield of 20 tons per hectare, said Saisai.

“Ideally, farmers should grow crops driven by market demand, and it is equally vital to secure a market before venturing into the production of these crops.”

Other crops that can be grown by farmers during winter include carrots, broccoli and cauliflower.