Vegetables are important part of healthy eating and provide a source of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamins A, E and C. Options like broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and garlic provide additional benefits, making them a super food.
For a farmer to benefit more from an acre of vegetables, he/she first needs to select a suitable site. Careful planning of layout and production should be next. In planning a vegetable farm, the following have to be considered:
(a)
Decide on what to grow. This will depend on the demand, market and climate.
(b) Decide on which system you are going to use e.g. open vs. protected.
(c) The layout of the land must be planned. Care is needed since. Bad layout
can be costly. Remember roads, irrigation pipelines or buildings are involved,
thus if sited wrongly, such items will be difficult and expensive to shift.
(d) Work out the rotation plan to be followed and details of the cropping plan.
This should be early.
(e) The cost of clearing and preparing land must be considered.
(f) It is important to plan for labour.
(g) If fencing or windbreak is needed, decide on the type and material.
(h) Decide on the location of the compost area and whether you will need a heap
or pit. It is necessary to provide a place for the disposal of organic debris
and also serves as a source of organic matter. It is close to the nursery, in
an area which is unsuitable for crop production.
(i) For a nursery setting. Light shades are preferred. You may also build a
lath house. Preferably, nursery area should be at most two per cent of total
area. Will also need to decide on the type of nursery to use: seedbed or
containerised. If seedbed, raise, flat or sunken.
(j) Irrigation and distribution method: Decide whether irrigation will be
needed. If yes, decide on the system to be used and the water source.
Credit: Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Uganda
