Valaam Kakdi (Long Sweet Cucumber) Cultivation — Complete Guide

1. Soil and Climate

Soil: Sandy loam or light loam, good drainage

pH: 6.5–7.5

Climate: Hot and dry season; Extreme cold or hailstorm is harmful

Season: February to April (summer cultivation)

2. Preparation of the field

Plough the field deeply twice

Farmer manure: 10–15 tonnes/acre

Sow the crop in 1 acre of field using ridges or beds

3. Seed and sowing

Seed quantity: 1.5 – 2 kg per acre

Distance: 1.5 feet between plants, 5 feet between rows

Sowing method: Treat the seeds with organic fungicide (like Trichoderma)

4. Irrigation management

First irrigation: Immediately after sowing

Next irrigation: Every 4-5 days (every 3 days in summer)

Drip irrigation saves both water and manure

5. Fertilizer and nutrition

Fertilizer quantity (per acre) Time

Farmer manure 10–15 tonnes In field preparation
Nitrogen (Urea) 40–50 kg Split in 2-3 times
Phosphorus 25 kg at sowing
Potash 20 kg during crop growth

6. Disease and Pest Control

Red fly/ fruit borer: Neem oil spray (30ml/L)

Fungal disease: Use Trichoderma or Bavistin

Yellow leaves: Spray Zinc + Boron

7. Harvesting and packing

First picking: in 45–50 days

Harvesting interval: every 3–5 days

Average yield: 80–100 quintals per acre

Packing: in bamboo baskets or crates

8. Cost and earnings (in 1 acre)

Item Cost (₹)

Seed 800 – 1000
Manure and fertilizers 4000 – 6000
Irrigation 3000
Labour 7000
Medicine/spray 2000
Others 2000
Total cost 20,000 – 22,000

Production: 80 quintals

Selling price: ₹10 – ₹30 per kg (depending on season)

Average income: ₹80,000 – ₹2,40,000

Net profit: ₹60,000 – ₹2,20,000 per acre

9. Where to sell

Local mandis (like Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota mandi)

Hotels and catering service

Highway fruit/vegetable retail shops

Direct customer or online sales (WhatsApp group / Facebook local)

10. Additional tips

Organic farming fetches premium price

Drip irrigation and mulching reduces cost

Promote on social media by making video/photos with the crop
Overall health benefits of Valam Kakdi

1. Provides health benefits to the body 1. Provides cooling effect (Natural Body Cooler)

Valaam cucumber contains up to 96% water

Keeps the body temperature balanced in summer

Protects from heat stroke and dehydration

2. Improves digestion

Contains soluble fiber

Cleans the stomach and relieves constipation

Also helps in increasing appetite

3. Beneficial for skin and hair

Vitamin C and silica improve the skin

Hydrates the skin

Strengthens the hair roots

4. Helps in weight loss

It is diet friendly due to very low calories and high water content

Soothes hunger, gives a feeling of fullness

5. Beneficial for diabetics

Despite being a natural sweetener, it has a low glycemic index

Helps in controlling blood sugar

6. For kidney and urinary system Beneficial

Due to diuretic properties, it removes toxic elements from the body through urine

Useful in stones and urine infection

7. Helpful in heart health

Potassium and magnesium present in Valam cucumber help in controlling blood pressure

Helpful in keeping the heart healthy

8. Reduces inflammation of the body (Anti-inflammatory)

Gives relief in joint inflammation, acidity and irritation

Also provides relief in allergies and stomach irritation due to its cold nature

9. Increases immunity

It contains vitamin C, A, K and antioxidants

Protects the body from infection, strengthens the immune system

10. Beneficial for the eyes

Placing cucumber slices on tired eyes provides relief from cooling and swelling

The vitamin A present in it is good for eyesight

Method of consumption:

Eat raw (in salad)

Add it to raita

Add lemon-salt As a snack

Mix it with juice or cold drink