{watermelon grown in a small garden}
{{With the growing hotel industry in Rwanda and the region, the demand for healthy eating increases by the day. Local farmers need to think out of the box and tap into other money making crops with a demand so high that local suppliers can’t satisfy.}}
Planting watermelon (botanically known as {Citrullus lanatus}) would supplement farmers’ income above proceeds from other crops planted.
There is no Kinyarwanda name for watermelon. Many Rwandans tend to mistake watermelon for pumpkins (Ibihaza).
Watermelon a warm-climate crop is rich in Vitamin A, B6 and Vitamin C and is thus an important vegetable that needs to be explored by farmers in Rwanda.
It takes between 75 -95 days to mature depending on the variety planted. Standard watermelons, usually weigh between 9-15Kgs or more and costs between Frw1000-Frw4000 depending on weight.
{In the Picture above, different varieties of watermelon.}
{{Origin of Watermelon}}
Although Most Rwandans view watermelon as a western plant, the fact is that in 1850, explorer David Livingstone called attention to Africa by reporting a great oasis of wild watermelons in the Kalahari Desert.
Claims from other regions can be found as well, though most sources point to Africa first. Origins aside, these wet and weighty fruits have been borne across the continents and seas, with good reason. Someone remarked that “When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat.”
{{Planting}}
When planting watermelon seeds, it’s advisable not to rush watermelon seed into the ground when it’s cool or during heavy rains. The plants will just idle until warm weather arrives.
For Rwanda’s weather, planting could be towards the end of April or early May.
Sow standard seeds three to four per hill, spacing the hills 8 to 10 feet apart.
Thin the seeds to about two per hill about a week after they’ve germinated. For row planting, space seeds 4 to 6 inches apart, thinning to 10 to 12 inches apart.
The watermelon patch should get full sun to produce big fruit and healthy vines. Watermelons require a lot of nutrients, so be generous with fertilizer, compost and leaves.
Continue fertilizing the watermelons even after initial planting. Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, then after flowers form, switch to a high-phosphorus and potassium fertiliser.
The soil should be worked well and drain well. Make sure the watermelons get plenty of water, especially during dry spells. Keep the watermelon patch free of weeds because the weeds will compete with the melons for water.
{{Harvest}}
If it is time for harvest according to the seed packages, keep an eye on the watermelons, which may or may not be ready for picking. There are several ways to tell if a watermelon is ripe for harvest.
Tap on the melon and listen for a dull thump or an almost hollow sound.
The melon will appear to have stopped growing larger.
The underside of the watermelon that was sitting on the ground will appear yellowish.
The stem will begin to dry and shrivel up.
{sliced juicy watermelon ready for consumption}
{{Nutritious value of watermelon }}
Nutritionists have long appreciated the health benefits watermelon provides. Watermelon not only boosts your “health esteem,” but it is has excellent levels of vitamins A and C and a good level of vitamin B6.
Vitamin A found in watermelon is important for optimal eye health and boosts immunity by enhancing the infection-fighting actions of white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Vitamin B6 found in watermelon helps the immune system produce antibodies. Antibodies are needed to fight many diseases. Vitamin B6 helps maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells. The body uses it to help break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.
Vitamin C in watermelon can help to bolster the immune system’s defenses against infections and viruses and can protect a body from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging and conditions such as cataracts.
A two-cup serving of watermelon is also a source of potassium*, a mineral necessary for water balance and found inside of every cell. People with low potassium levels can experience muscle cramps.
