Pineapples are less tedious to cultivate compared to other crops. This is because they are less susceptible to pests and diseases hence reducing the need to spray chemicals. After planting, the major activity that the farmer needs to do is weed control and pineapples take approximately 18 months to grow to harvest. After reaching harvest, the farmer harvests pineapples for up to 3 months and after, takes about 9 months for the farmer to pick pineapples for the second harvest.
Why pineapple farming
Pineapples have a good financial potential for example 1 acre can accommodate 15000 suckers at a spacing of 1.5 feet by 2 feet. The farm gate price averages at one thousand Ugandan shillings and this gives the farmer more returns.
Pineapples lasts long. The first fruits are harvested after 1.5 years but after this, the same suckers can give a second fruit which is harvested after about 9 months.
When proper agronomic practices are done, you can even have the third harvest of pineapples.
The pineapples can even be intercropped with other crops like maize in the first 6 months.
The demand for pineapples is vast and at any one time, the market for pineapples is always there.
