MT. DATA RADISH: R1-M gross income from half hectare!

LARRY CONSEBIDO, 39, is one farmer who really loves radish for a number of good reasons. No.1 reason: In early August 2018, he planted half a hectare to the newly introduced Mt. Data radish variety distributed by Ramgo Seeds. To his great surprise and amazement, he harvested 25,000 kilos of very good roots that a trader paid R40 per kilo.

That means a gross of R1 million from half a hectare in a growing period of just 40 to 45 days. The timing was perfect, according to Larry, because he was about the only farmer who had radish for sale at that time. The right variety and right timing were the reasons for Larry’s good fortune.

Compared to other crops, say tomato, radish has its own advantages. The cost of seeds and other inputs are minimal compared to tomato production. Although tomato can be highly profitable at the right timing, it requires big investment in bamboo poles and trellis materials, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.

In the case of Larry’s Mt. Data radish, his cost of seeds was only P5,100 for the half hectare. He used 30 cans of 100-gram seeds at a cost of R170 per can. There was no need for trellis. And the seeds were simply broadcast over the well-prepared field. An expert in broadcasting seeds can make the distribution of the seeds more or less uniform.

The field is thoroughly plowed and harrowed. Larry applied 60 sacks of well-decomposed chicken manure over the prepared field. Two days before broadcasting the seeds, the field was sprayed with herbicide to control weed growth. Several days later, before roots were formed, the plants were fertilized with urea. That was all. Larry explained that fertilizing the radish when the roots are already developing is not advisable.

Mt. Data produces relatively big roots that are snow-white and straight. Four to five roots make one kilo.

How can a half hectare yield 25,000 kilos? Well, with the variety like Mt. Data, one square meter can easily yield five kilos. Multiply that by 5,000 square meters and you get 25,000 kilos.

Of course, Larry admits that there are times when the supply of radish in the market is plentiful and the price can go down to as low as R8 to R10 per kilo. There is still some profit at that price level, according to Larry.

By the way seeds of Mr. Data radish are available at the Edsel Agri Supply in Dolores, Quezon and at the AGC Greenfarm Supply in Liliw, Laguna.

PROFITABLE RADISH – When the timing is right and the right variety like Mt. Data is grown, planting radish can be highly profitable. Radish can be harvested in only 40 to 45 days from planting so there is a fast turnover. When the harvest is timed when there is shortage of supply, the price can be as much as R40 per kilo, and that is a highly profitable level.

HE HIT THE JACKPOT – Larry Consebido of Majayjay, Laguna, hit the jackpot when he planted Mt. Data radish in early August last year which he harvested 45 days later. He got 25,000 kilos from just half a hectare which a buyer bought at R40 per kilo. He is flanked here by Leo Cajida and Mona Visitacion-Rafer of Ramgo Seeds.

MT. DATA RADISH PLANTATION – Mona Visitacion-Rafer of Ramgo Seeds poses with Mt. Data radish that are about a month old in Majayjay, Laguna. In just a couple of weeks, the roots could already be harvestable.

AGRI PLAIN TALK ZAC B. SARIAN