Earn Profits with Ridge Gourd Farming: Best Sowing Techniques for February-March

Ridge Gourd Cultivation

Krishi Dunia

• 22 Feb, 2025 02:50 PM IST ,
• Updated Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:34 PM

If you are looking for a profitable vegetable farming option, February-March is the ideal time for ridge gourd cultivation. This crop offers high yields with minimal investment and remains in demand throughout the year. Many farmers are shifting from traditional crops to ridge gourd cultivation and making significant profits. By choosing the right variety and ensuring proper care, farmers can substantially increase their earnings.

Best Time for Ridge Gourd Cultivation:

Ridge gourd can be cultivated three times a year, maximizing farmers' profits. However, the most profitable sowing season is during February-March in summer. It can also be grown during the monsoon season (June-July) and winter (October-November).

Ideal Soil and Climate Conditions:

Ridge gourd thrives in well-drained soil, ensuring that water does not stagnate while retaining enough moisture for plant growth. It performs well in both summer and monsoon seasons but may have lower yields in extreme cold conditions.

Farming Techniques for Ridge Gourd:

1. Land Preparation: Plow the field 2-3 times to loosen the soil and enhance fertility. Add 10 tons of organic manure or 1 ton of vermicompost to improve soil health. Mulching can help retain moisture and control weeds.
2. Seed Sowing: For one acre of land, approximately 600-800 grams of seeds are required. Initially, seedlings are raised in a nursery for about a month before transplanting them into the field.
3. Irrigation Management: Farmers can adopt drip irrigation to save water and also avail government subsidies for the system.
4. Pest and Disease Control: Regular field inspection is crucial. If flowers start dropping, ensure proper male-to-female flower ratio. Using organic pesticides can help prevent insect attacks.

High-Yield Ridge Gourd Varieties:

Farmers can enhance productivity and profitability by selecting high-yield varieties. Some of the best ridge gourd varieties include:

• Pusa Chikni
• Pusa Sneha
• Pusa Supriya
• Pusa Nasdan
• Kalyanpur Chikni
• Phule Prajatka
• Ghiya Torai
• Kashi Divya
• Coimbatore-2

Profit Potential in Ridge Gourd Farming:

Ridge gourd farming is proving to be highly profitable for many farmers. With low investment and high yields, it is becoming a preferred choice over traditional crops.

For example, a farmer in Baghpat cultivated ridge gourd on 12 bighas of land and earned ₹5 lakh. He received a market price of ₹40 per kg, and nearly 50% of his produce was sold directly from the farm. With proper pest control and farming techniques, farmers can generate lakhs of rupees in profits.

Why Should You Grow Ridge Gourd?

•  Low Investment, High Profits – Requires minimal expenses but fetches good prices in the market.
• Three Harvests a Year – Can be grown in three different seasons for continuous income.
• High Market Demand – Peak demand during summer leads to higher prices.\
• Resistant to Wild Animals – Unlike some other crops, ridge gourd is less prone to damage from wild animals.
• Higher Yield with Mulching & Drip Irrigation – These modern techniques can boost production by 20-30%.

If you want to earn substantial profits from vegetable farming, ridge gourd cultivation during February-March is an excellent option. With its short harvesting period, consistent market demand, and high profitability, this crop offers a great opportunity for farmers.

By adopting modern techniques, choosing high-yield varieties, and implementing proper pest control measures, farmers can earn lakhs from ridge gourd farming. So, if you are looking to boost your agricultural income, consider growing ridge gourd this season!