I would have tag this thread" practical guide to investing in agriculture" or even run series of this topic but I remember I have a thread starting with "practical guide"; to avoid confusion and to allow more people especially intending farmers to get some basic facts before investing their hard earned money into agriculture.

I have a lot to pour out on this thread for established farmers and intending farmers but I have categorised them into parts and will make sure I touch every part for knowledge sake.
It will be short and straight to the point
There are two things I will need you to do for me; connect your MB and your reading eyes to gain knowledge i am about to share on this thread.

I will delve into basic facts to know,available opportunities in the industry,maximising ROI,accessing finance e.t.c

For those that have invested,I will also touch how to marshal available resources for better returns.

Stay tuned.

More to come

Stay connected.

In the light of dwindling oil revenue and Nigeria’s historic dependence on it as her sole source of income, there’s a renewed cry for the diversification of the economy. While many options exist, agriculture seems to be a quick and fast way to optimize our available resources for collective wealth creation for the country.

Before I delve further i feel the need to dispel some myths about agriculture which become necessary for people that are new and a little far away from farming business.
Hence,it will be good to understand why your earlier investment failed

Myth 1: Farming business is hard work,I can't invest in it

Farming business is indeed hardwork but increasingly becoming more intellectual than physical
With knowledge of technology such as improved seeds,irrigation,fertilisation,crop protection;its becoming less dependent on physical exertion.

However, one thing many fail to realize is that investing in agriculture does not necessarily have to be on farm. People need to understand the value chain perspective of agriculture and see what part of the value chain they have an appetite for and go for it.

Myth 2:  I need a sound agricultural background to invest in agriculture.

The truth is that in any  investment, a technical knowledge always comes in handy but it’s overrated to think without that knowledge, you cannot invest. It will however be helpful to build your technical knowledge and expertise along the way. Your will be amazed at how relevant even your current skills are to succeeding in agricultural investments.

When I started investing in agribusiness,I didnot have all the knowledge I have now but gradually through experience,mistakes and reading,I am now very conversant and confident doing the business of agriculture.

Myth 3: You cannot go wrong in agriculture

I’m sure some of you will have had horrific experiences investing in agriculture and lost money doing it. Long gone are the days when you think agriculture is about throwing the corn seeds in the soil, go to sleep and come back for a bountiful harvest or buy the birds, let them run around and get your daily crates of eggs. If you want to make money in agriculture, you have to understand that it takes good management to succeed. Managing your farm requires you to have some entrepreneural skills without which you might not be able to survive long in the business.

You have to also do your research. There was a wave of cassava investment at a time without a clear idea of the market to absorb that particular variety of cassava you were growing. Yes, while some varieties might be great for garri making, they might not be suited for processing into beer.
A lot of research has to be done.some places are good for a particular type of crop while some places are not.
Market research (who are your target customers and how do you intend to get it to them?) etc

Stay connected for more

Watch out for my new thread on the story of successful young farmers and notable agro-preneurs both in Nigeria and in diaspora who started some years back who are making money feeding the nation and creating great impact.
#JoinTheAgricRevolution

Thinking of investing solely in animal, crop farming Or integrated farming?
Then stay connected for my next post

Happy new month people.
Good profit in your business endeavour
Continue investing in agribusiness...its the way

Agriculture is already a hot cake in the country and very ripe to fly in few years from now.
The reasons for using this platform to adequately inform and sensitise people on the advantages of venturing into agribusiness earlier,knowing what to do is that you don't get your hand burnt investing into the business.

One thing i am certain of and that i have numerous experiences about Agricbusiness is that it is highly lucrative but you must know the hidden facts before venturing into it and this is what I am trying to do and what you will get on this thread.

....Stay connected

Lesgupnigeria:
Agriculture is already a hot cake in the country and very ripe to fly in few years from now.
The reasons for using this platform to adequately inform and sensitise people on the advantages of venturing into agribusiness earlier,knowing what to do is that you don't get your hand burnt investing into the business.

One thing i am certain of and that i have numerous experiences about Agricbusiness is that it is highly lucrative but you must know the hidden facts before venturing into it and this is what I am trying to do and what you will get on this thread.

....Stay connected

I would love to invest in Animal husbandry but on a personal scale, I'd love to do it myself.
Awaiting your updates on it

Gadgetmobil:



I would love to invest in Animal husbandry but on a personal scale, I'd love to do it myself.
Awaiting your updates on it

Yes,I will definitely address that later in the day when i am back from the farm.

Being an agro-preneurs is one of the toughest endeavour that requires focus and commitment,I have being away for some days to oversee some farm projects.
Thank God, progress are being made on various projects
I am now settled to continue from where I stopped.

I remember when I am about venturing into agriculture,I was faced with different and complex decision to make concerning whether to go into crop,animal or do integrated farming.
This is what I found out from my research and what help me in making my decision.

Stay connected for more today.

Stay connected

Whether you are going to start in crop or animal production aspect of agriculture,you need to know that you are going to face enormous challenge and be ready to map out ways to overcome them.
I do receive numerous calls from prospective farmers about whether they should start with crop or animal,this is what I have to say to them "focus on one area and know the ins and the outs (you know the ins andn outs when you have practicalised your knowledge to the stage that you have started making profit) very well before thinking of diversifying".
Many inexperienced people have got their fingers burnt because they want to do all at the same time,they want to start plantain,watermelon,cucumber,piggery and poultry and at the end of the day lose all of their hard earned money.
Production of each agro-produce requires good human-capital resources,hundreds of decisions and risks to be taken meaning that if you are starting 2 or 3 things at a time,you might be overstretching your resources and also be ready to take hard complex decisions.

From my research,most farmers who combine crop and animal never grow bigger than when they started.
Instead of engaging in two venture at a time and doing it on a small scale,why can't I focus on one thing and do it on a massive scale?

The first 20 most profitable agribusiness in Africa and in the world are known for one or two agric produce, they focus on one venture (either crop or animal) and succeed in it.
LosGrobo,Purdue farms are known for corn and poultry respectively
I can begin to mention names both in Africa and all over the world.
These agribusiness companies are able to make money and grow very fast because of lean operations,not burden with complex issues and resources not overstretch

I hear many inexperience farmers says "integrating crop and animal enables you to eliminate waste by feeding animals with the crop debris"
I totally disagree

For instance, some will say I will cultivate cassava,after harvesting and processing,I will use the cassava peels to feed my pigs and then the manure from my pig will be used to fertile my soil and then continue the cycle
People that does this are exposed to enormous risks,and challenges at each stage of the cycle which drastically reduce profit at the end of the day.
Is it necessary that the cassava peel be used only in feeding animals?
There are many uses the cassava peel can be put to which will make you instant money instead of going through the cycle.

Its only in this part of the world that I see people want to cultivate crop and animal at the same time.
Reason for high failure in this part.

Personally,I love crop production,basically plantain,cassava and watermelon.
Animal is not my area of specialisation as I perceive it a very riskier and your investment can be wiped out within hours because of some incurable infections.

Does that mean you should not venture into animal production? No or we don't have businesses that farm animal ? No
You just have to focus on getting enough practical knowledge and experience and making the business work.

If you are going to make good money in agribusiness,you need to be focus
Is it animal,production that you are venturing into or crop production? But not simultaneously venturing into both.
#beInformed

Now knowing what area of agriculture to venture into,my next post will be to let you know the money making opportunities that abound in agriculture
Stay connected

Stay connected for more later today

As you know that my area of specialisation is basically on crop,I will be sharing the money making opportunities in crop production only.
Sorry for the folks interested in livestock as I have little experience in that aspect but you can still apply the same idea of crop to livestock.

People who tells you that they are expert in both livestock and crop are telling you half truth.
You can never be a master in both when there are still more than enough to master in either of the 2
They are jack of all trades and master of none
#dontbemisledbyinternetfarmers

Taking critical look at your schedule,experience and ability is important before investing in agriculture
If you are deficient in experience,partner with an experienced,successful person,
If you have to learn more,get more practical training, etc
Make sure your make up for your weaknesses.

If you have interest in both crop and livestock,I will advise that you focus to make a success out of either of the two before venturing into the other but not both a the same time

Lucrative Crops To venture into are
Watermelon,
Cassava
Plantain
Cucumber

I will explain each crop,everything you need to know about it.

These are the crops I know much about which i have cultivated over the years with good profit.

Watermelon

Watermelon has a great potential in terms of profit in a shortest time and also its the riskiest as far as short duration crop is concerned.
You can lose all or win all in cultivation of this crop.
I have experience both side of the coin.
You might need to tread carefully when venturing into the production.

stay connected.

I will give out some info that will help in successful watermelon cultivation. stay connected to this thread.

Lesgupnigeria:
If you have interest in both crop and livestock,I will advise that you focus to make a success out of either of the two before venturing into the other but not both a the same time

Lucrative Crops To venture into are
Watermelon,
Cassava
Plantain
Cucumber

I will explain each crop,everything you need to know about it.

These are the crops I know much about which i have cultivated over the years with good profit.

Interested! Kindly check your email & WhatsApp and reply. Thx.

Lesgupnigeria:
I will give out some info that will help in successful watermelon cultivation.
stay connected to this thread.

Cool, do you know any successful person that is involved in animal husbandry? And apart from raw production, do you have experience in processing and distribution of the products? Because that is one of the reasons am discouraged from doing any form of agricbusiness.