Pepper Sack Farming – A Guide
Pepper sack farming is the growing of pepper in sacks. Pepper sack farming allows people to grow peppers in spaces like the backyard, rooftop, gardens and other places. Pepper sack farming can be profitable as it allows growing of peppers in urban areas.
With pepper sack farming, farmers do not need to use large acreages of land to grow peppers. You do not need to acquire a farmland or lease a farmland for you to grow pepper if you practice pepper sack farming.
Pepper sack farming as a vertical farming concept can produce more peppers per square metre as compared to growing peppers on farms.
Steps to Take to Start Pepper Sack Farming in Nigeria
The following are the steps to take to start pepper sack farming in Nigeria:
Site Selection
The first step to take before starting a pepper sack farming project is to select your site. The site you choose can be your garden, rooftop or backyard etc.
The site should have abundant sunshine, there should be access to water and the site should not be waterlogged.
Get Sacks or Bags
Sacks and bags are needed for pepper sack farming. The pepper seedlings are usually placed in the soil or growing medium in the sacks or bags. The seedlings can be placed on top of the sack or at the holes at the sides of the sacks or bags.
Jute sacks, polythene bags, HDPE bags and sacks made with kenaf fibre are some of the types of sacks that can be used for pepper sack farming.
Soil or Other Growing Medium
Top soil, coco peat, perlite and pebbles are some of the media that can be used to grow peppers in sacks. Top soil is usually used for pepper sack farming. The top soil should be mixed with well cured manure or compost.
The top soil should also be solarized so that the harmful microbes in it will be killed.
Manure or Compost
Animal manure like chicken manure should be mixed with the growing medium in the sack. The manure should be treated or cured so that the harmful microbes in it will be killed. Compost can also be used to mix with the soil or growing medium.
Variety of Pepper to Plant
Hybrid pepper varieties are the best type of peppers for sack farming. Hybrid seeds are known to have higher yields than open pollinated varieties. Hybrid seeds also resist pests and diseases better than the open pollinated varieties.
Irrigation
Irrigation may be needed if you grow peppers in sacks in the dry season. You can use the following types of irrigation for pepper sack farming:
- Drip Irrigation
- Spray Tube Irrigation
- Rain Gun Irrigation
- Flood Irrigation etc.
Planting
Peppers are usually nursed before transplantation into the growing bags. Pepper seeds should be planted in nursery trays and nursed for 4 – 6 weeks.
The sacks or bags should be wet or irrigated before transplantation of the pepper seedlings. Transplanting should be done in the morning or evening when the intensity of sunlight is low.
Fertilizers
Depending on the fertility of your soil or growing medium, you may need fertilizers like NPK 15:15:15, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, chelates, foliar fertilizers and potassium sulfate etc.
Pepper crop does well with NPK fertilizers and manure.
Pesticides
Pepper like other crops is susceptible to pests and diseases. Fungicides, insecticides, bactericides and acaricides etc are some of the types of pesticides that can be used to manage pests and diseases in pepper sack farming.
Staking
For some types of pepper, staking may be needed. Staking allows the pepper plants to grow vertically. It also prevents the pepper fruits from touching the soil.
Stones or Pebbles
For pepper sack farming, stones or pebbles may be needed to be placed in the sacks or bags. These stones make it easy for the sack to drain excess water.
Harvesting
Pepper reaches harvest after 60 – 90 days of transplanting. Harvesting should be done every 2-4 days.
You will know that the pepper is ready for harvest when the pepper fruits turn red.
Tools and Inputs Needed for Pepper Sack Farming
The following are the tools and inputs needed for pepper sack farming:
- Sacks
- Digger
- Shear
- Knife
- Drip Tapes and Fittings
- Watering Cans
- Wooden Stake
- Hoses
- Organic Soil
- Growing Medium etc.
Advantages of Pepper Sack Farming
The following are the advantages of pepper sack farming:
- Pepper sack farming can provide jobs for people.
- It can enhance food production in the country.
- It enhances urban farming and healthy living.
Should want to engage in pepper sack farming in Nigeria, you can contact us via 08025141924 or sales@veggiegrow.ng.
Read our article on cucumber sack farming here.
