How Cabbage Farmers and Other Crops Can Make Profits: 4 Things to Know

• Eric ventured into farming in 2023 and has been making losses despite good harvests due to poor prices
• Geoffrey Kavita, an expert said that the low prices are a result of supply and demand and advised the farmers to create a planting calendar
• Kavita also advised farmers to consider irrigation, diversify the crops they are planting, and eliminate the middleman where possible

Eric wrote:

“I started farming last year after seeing a lot of people online talking about the profits they are making. Now I am about to give up. I planted cabbages for two seasons in 2023, and I made losses in both seasons. I invested well and had a good harvest, but the prices were too low. I cannot stop because I leased the land for two years. I am passionate about farming, and it’s my long-term plan. I want to start preparing land, but I don’t know if I should change from cabbages to other crops. Please advise what I need to do to make a profit.”

Pictures of a farmer and cabbages on the farm. Photo: Prince Charles/Getty Images. Source: UGC

Geoffrey Kavita is an accomplished agronomist with over seven years experience as an agricultural consultant with expertise in training farmers and optimising agricultural practices. He is currently working as an agronomist with Amiram Kenya Limited.

Create a planting calendar

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Kavita noted that Eric’s cabbages fetched low prices because at the time of the harvest, the market was flooded with cabbages and the low prices were a result of increased supply and low demand.

“Farmers need to work on a crop planting calendar,this will help you determine the months when your crop produce is likely to fetch high prices.All crops have peak and low price seasons(months).Once you figure that out you will definitely avoid planting at time when its obvious the maturity time will find a low price season,” Kavita said.

Invest in irrigation

The agronomist said that the only way for a farmer to control harvesting time is through irrigation, noting that it will eliminate the reliance on rains.

“Invest in irrigation and water harvesting structures.With irrigation you can plant all year round including dry seasons when fresh produce fetch high prices because a good number of farmers rely on rain fed agriculture.

Also with irrigation you can plant ahead of other farmers who are still waiting for rains,and when the rains come your crop will be past establishment stages and will mature ahead of other crops.The crop produce will fetch better prices before prices start deteriorating with increased supply,” Kavita advised.

Diversify crops

Kavita noted that sometimes farmers are unable to predict prices or control the prices of various crops.

He emphasised the importance of diversifying crops to have a safety net in cases where the prices for one crop fluctuate.

The agronomist advised the farmer to subdivide the land and plant plant crops such as potatoes and onions where possible to ensure they he has a safety net in case the prices of one crop fluctuates.

“Diversification is important. When one crop is doing bad in terms of prices another one is doing very good. This has been the case for many years.Thus its advisable if you have land and water to consider several crops. This will not only cushion you from price fluctuations, but also pests that attack different crops will not sweep all your crops,” Kavita said.

Eliminate the middleman

Kavita noted that selling to middlemen is one of the reasons why farmers get low prices for their crops and advised that farmers should eliminate them where possible through farm to market deals.

“Farm to market alliances and contract farming to eliminate brokers. Produce quality crops to attract serious buyers with special high end market and when you secure contracts with them don’t compromise on quality and orders(quantities). Farm to market alliances include supplying to institutions like schools and established entities like hotels and supermarkets,”Kavita advised.

Disclaimer: Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about farming decisions. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making a decision.

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