15 Profitable Crops That Start Yielding in 4 Months or Less: A Smart Start for Quick Farming Profits

 For many new and small-scale farmers, the dream is to plant crops that yield quickly and profitably. Whether you're farming to sustain your household or launch a full-time agribusiness, choosing crops that start generating income in 4 months or less can help you recover costs, reinvest, and build momentum.

This blog explores 15 fast-maturing, profitable crops you can start on a small or large scale. Most are adaptable to diverse climates like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and many other tropical and subtropical regions.

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 Why Grow Fast-Maturing Crops?

Before jumping into the list, let’s understand the advantages:

• Quick ROI (Return on Investment): You start selling in 2–4 months

• Low Risk: You recover your capital faster, reducing exposure to disasters

• Great for Testing New Markets: Ideal if you’re just entering agribusiness

• Compliments Long-Term Projects: While you wait for avocados or mangoes to mature, these crops bring cash flow

•  15 Crops That Yield Profits in 4 Months or Less

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1. Spinach (2–3 Weeks to Harvest)

• Growing Duration: 3–4 weeks (continuous harvests for up to 3 months)

• Ideal For: Urban farmers, kitchen gardens, open fields

• Profitability: Very high due to frequent harvesting

• Market: Hotels, households, green grocers

Spinach is a hardy leafy green that thrives in both open fields and sacks. With proper watering and harvesting, you can sell multiple times in a single month.

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2. Amaranth (Terere) – (3–4 Weeks)

• Yield Time: 3–4 weeks

• Harvest Cycle: Every 2–3 days after maturity

• Profit: High margins due to low cost and quick maturity

• Land Size: Ideal even on small plots

Farmers love amaranth for its low input costs and high market turnover. It's especially profitable when sold fresh or dried for medicinal or traditional uses.

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3. Kale (Sukuma Wiki) – (4–6 Weeks)

• Yield Time: First harvest in 30–45 days

• Duration: Can harvest for 4–6 months

• Income: Consistent and predictable

Kale is a staple food in many African households. A well-maintained 1/8-acre kale garden can fetch KSh 15,000–30,000 monthly, especially when irrigated.

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4. Lettuce (4–6 Weeks)

• Growing Period: 4–6 weeks

• Market: Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets

• Best Method: Shaded beds or greenhouse

This salad crop is best grown near urban centers for fresh delivery. You can harvest entire heads or sell as “cut-and-come-again.”

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5. Dhania (Coriander) – (3–5 Weeks)

• Yield Time: 21–30 days

• Profitability: Very high in small spaces

• Great For: Kitchen gardens, urban setups, hydroponics

A small space with 1,000 dhania plants can generate KSh 5,000–10,000 every month when harvested weekly.

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6. French Beans – (45–60 Days)

• Maturity: 45–60 days

• Market: Fresh market & export

• Yield: 3–6 tons per acre

• Profitability: KSh 100,000+ per acre

French beans are a top export crop. With proper support and spraying, they start fruiting in 6–8 weeks and continue for a month or more.

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7. Baby Carrots – (60–75 Days)

• Yield Period: 2–2.5 months

• Market: Urban vendors, hotels, health markets

• Soil: Loose, well-drained, sandy loam

You can harvest baby carrots faster than traditional carrots, and they fetch higher prices due to their aesthetic and health appeal.

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8. Okra (Lady Finger) – (50–60 Days)

• First Harvest: 2 months

• Frequency: Daily or alternate-day picking

• Target Market: Restaurants, open-air markets, Indian communities

Okra grows well in hot, humid environments and is known for its nutritional value and export potential.

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9. Cucumber – (45–60 Days)

• Maturity Time: 45–60 days

• Harvest Period: Every 2–3 days for 3 weeks

• Market: Salads, juices, pickles

Cucumbers are best grown in greenhouses or raised beds, and perform well in places with ample water. High yields and premium prices make them a top quick crop.

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10. Zucchini – (45–55 Days)

• Harvest Time: As early as 6 weeks

• Growth Habit: Bushy plant; needs space

• Sales: By kilo or piece to local markets

Zucchini is a fast crop with a high yield per plant. A ¼ acre can yield over 500 kg every few weeks, with each kg fetching KSh 30–50.

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11. Radishes – (25–30 Days)

• Yield Time: 25–30 days

• Market: Health food stores, hotels

• Growing Method: Raised beds, containers

Radishes are among the fastest-growing root vegetables. High-end supermarkets and restaurants often demand them.

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12. Green Onions (Spring Onions) – (30–45 Days)

• Harvest Time: ~5–6 weeks

• Preferred By: Restaurants, fresh produce vendors

• Growing Method: Beds, vertical sacks, urban plots

A quarter-acre of spring onions can produce up to KSh 50,000/month in high-demand seasons.

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13. Sunflower Microgreens – (7–10 Days)

• Harvest Time: 7–10 days

• Growing Setup: Indoors or shaded trays

• Returns: Very high per square meter

If you have limited space, microgreens are a great idea. Sunflower microgreens are rich in vitamins and popular with juice bars and salad bars.

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14. Strawberries – (First Yield in 2–3 Months)

• Yield Period: 60–90 days

• Climate: Cool and well-drained areas

• Income: KSh 100–200 per kg, per week

Strawberries start yielding in the second month and peak in the third. A small greenhouse or tunnel can generate KSh 50,000+ monthly.

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15. Butternut Squash – (90–100 Days)

• Harvest Time: 3 months

• Yield: 10–25 tons per acre

• Market: Export, local supermarkets, baby food manufacturers

Though the harvest is once-off, butternut has a long shelf life and earns excellent prices in both dry and rainy seasons. One of the top short-term commercial crops.

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 Bonus: Herbs and Medicinal Plants

Plant	Maturity	Use
Lemongrass	3 months	Tea, cosmetics, oil
Basil	4–6 weeks	Spices, health
Mint	2 months	Beverages, medicine
Aloe Vera	3–4 months	Skincare, healing

These are low-maintenance, high-value crops, ideal for urban or peri-urban farmers.

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Cost vs. Profit Snapshot (Per ¼ Acre Sample)

Crop	Cost (KSh)	Income (KSh)	Duration
Dhania	3,000	10,000–15,000	4 weeks
Spinach	5,000	15,000+ monthly	6+ weeks
Zucchini	8,000	30,000+	2.5 months
French Beans	12,000	50,000+	2.5 months
Butternut	15,000	80,000+	3 months

Marketing Tips for Quick-Cycle Crops

• Use WhatsApp & Facebook groups to advertise to neighbors

• Partner with market women/vendors for guaranteed purchases

• Consider CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for regular orders

• Package neatly – presentation adds value

• Build small irrigation to ensure consistency

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Final Thoughts

Quick-yielding crops don’t just bring fast profits—they teach you discipline, market understanding, and build your confidence as a grower. Whether you farm in a backyard, plot, or open field, these 4-month or faster crops are a smart place to begin.

Don’t forget: Rotate your crops, keep good records, and start small before scaling up. With dedication and strategy, farming can quickly transform your income.