How is Chickpea Cultivated? How Much Does It Cost and Profit?

 Chickpea, which is a legume with high caloric value and very rich in carbohydrates, is one of the crops that has been cultivated for thousands of years. Chickpea is also cultivated in our country. This type of legumes, is a food that is frequently grown in the Central Mediterranean regions. So how is chickpea cultivation done, how much does it save and how much does it cost?

How is Chickpea Cultivated and What Should Be Considered?

In order for the chickpea crop to germinate, the soil must have a temperature of more than 3°. In other words, a minimum of 3° is required for the germination phase and a temperature of 15° is required for optimum germination. Of course, the increase in temperature does not always mean that it has a positive effect, unfortunately, chickpeas do not germinate in very hot regions, for example, as it increases above 26°, germination is negatively affected.

In addition, chickpeas, like many other crops, are damaged by frost and do not like too much moisture. In addition, the salinity rate of the soil where the chickpea will be grown may be high because chickpea is the most resistant legume to salinity. However, chickpeas do like too much acid.

So where else can it be grown outside of our country? Chickpeas can be grown at an altitude of 5500 meters above sea level. Chickpea is suitable for growing in hot weather, so it is grown in the eastern, southeastern and inner regions of Anatolia.

So when should it be noted that the planting period varies according to the temperatures of the regions and their climates. In our country, sowing is carried out between March and April in Central Anatolia, while sowing is carried out from April to early May in Eastern Anatolia. Chickpea, like other crops, needs fertilizer.

How to Fertilize Chickpea?

Soil analysis is done first in chickpea farming. And the fertilization process is done with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers during the planting period or before planting. Chickpea plant should be taken care of regularly, but what does this care include? First of all, the care is done with the control of harmful and diseased weeds.

Afterwards, weeds are removed and this removal is done with killing herbicides. Chickpeas are usually planted in the spring months, and this decline season, which varies according to the climate of the regions, extends from mid-March to mid-May in our country.

Chickpea plant is not a legume that needs a lot of water, even when there is not much drought, it does not require irrigation. This process covers a period of 60 to 100 days.

Chickpea Cultivation Cost and Profit

Chickpea is among the oldest agricultural products that have been farmed for 7,000 years. The most efficient production is made in the Southeastern region of Turkey. According to FAO data, India has 68% of the world chickpea production, while Turkey ranks 4th with 7% production. Chickpea, which has nine different varieties, is at the top of the list of the most profitable agricultural products.

Being suitable for cold weather and climatic conditions and being resistant to high temperatures are very advantageous for farmers. You can easily sell the agricultural products you have grown, namely chickpeas, through intermediaries. The average profit rate ranges from 40% to 60%