What are high-rainfall areas?
Places that receive annual rainfall amounts of 1000mm and above are considered to be high rainfall areas. These areas are wet for most parts of the year. They have two planting seasons where crops can be planted twice a year. The first planting season in a high rainfall area begins in April to August. This is called the long rain season. The second planting season begins in September and ends in December or early January. This is called the short rain season.
Why should you consider farming in high-rainfall areas?
High-rainfall areas help farmers to save on the cost of irrigation. In these areas, it is easy to practice open-field farming. For the dry months, farmers can also collect harvest rainwater for use in the dry season. When treated, this water can be used for domestic purposes and for livestock farming.
Livestock farming also thrives in high-rainfall areas. Pastures grow faster and better in these regions. For the dry months of January to March, farmers can make hay and silage during the rainy season to cover this dry period.
How we determine our top farms for high-rainfall areas
We use several factors to determine the suitability of a farming idea for a high-rainfall region. These factors are;
Rainfall requirements of a crop
Temperature requirements of a crop
Crop variety suitability
Breed of livestock and suitability to wet areas
Top 5 farms for high-rainfall areas
1. Irish Potatoes
Irish potatoes are one of the most important staple crops in Africa. They require 850 mm to 1200mm of annual rainfall. This rainfall has to be well distributed throughout the growing season of the crop.
High water requirements of Irish potatoes result from the crop’s need for tuber formation. The potato tubers have a high water content which makes them appear turgid, fresh, and attractive to buyers. The presence of moisture in the soil also makes harvesting Irish potatoes to be easy. Learn more about Irish potato farming opportunities in Africa.
2. Capsicum Farm
Capsicums are a type of pepper that is used as an ingredient in dishes. There are green, yellow, and red capsicum varieties. Capsicums are a high water requirement crop. They need 600mm to 1200mm of well-distributed rainfall in the growing season.
Capsicums can grow in places with a lesser amount of rainfall if irrigation is provided. The cost of irrigation will however eat into the profit margins. Instead of irrigating capsicums in the open field farming method, farmers in low-rainfall areas can consider using greenhouses to grow capsicums. Under greenhouse farming, the capsicum yield will be high. Learn more about Capsicum farming opportunities in Africa.
3. Watermelon Farm
Watermelons have water requirements of 400mm to 600mm of water. For this water needs to be realized effectively, the rainfall in the location of the farm has to be high. Otherwise, irrigation has to be used to supplement the rainfall. With a high water content of 90%, watermelons require a lot of water to grow to their full size. Learn more about Watermelon farming opportunities in Africa.
4. Onion Farm
Onions are used in many recipes for many African dishes. They have rainfall requirements of 500mm to 700mm per annum. Planting onions in high rainfall areas eliminate the need for irrigation. Onions also need a dry period where they are harvested and sundried for storage or sending to the market.
5. Dairy Farm
Dairy farming is best practiced in high rainfall places. Dairy cow breeds like Friesian prefer cool areas which are associated with high rainfall. Pastures are more available in these areas. Pastures like Napier grass, desmodium, Brachiaria, and Guatemala grass. Dairy farming in high rainfall areas will therefore directly contribute to high milk production.
Because dairy cattle breeds like Friesians prefer cool temperatures, they thrive in high rainfall areas which are predominantly cold. These places are mostly high altitude. Learn more about Dairy farming opportunities in Africa.
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