₦airaland Forum

IMPORTANT UPDATE

During the course of this thread, I have received quite a good number of recommendations. And the top of this recommendation is

- Setting up a corporate body for Ugu farmers
- Help to set up Ugu farms.

The aim of this thread is to help young men and women interested in Ugu farming. And I am taking this bold step with the support of great Ugu farmers like olaide68, youngzoologist and DBPOWER to launch an experimental online association strictly for Ugu farmers. I am proposing an easy recognizable name for the Co-Op. So I am recommending UGU FARMERS ASSOCIATION of Nigeria. (UFA). The Nigeria usage is not highlighted because we believe the association will transcend the shore of Nigeria.

This experimental phase aims to achieve the following

- To help get the real interested ugu farmers involved.
- To setup our objectives

If the above objective is setup, we will take the big leap of faith to make the association functional in all capacity.

The following objective are limited, but as the association get more brains involved we will expand and re-edit the present ones.

- To help support young vibrant youths interested in ugu farming. This support will rage from technical to financial
- To form a synergy that will speed up the process of Ugu export to the EU and US
- To help with all certifications like NAQS and NEPC, for our members
- To make the voice of Ugu farmers loud and clear as the nation tilt to agribusiness as a main source of revenue
- To create a platform where ugu sellers (no matter their level of literacy) get involve in this mammoth project
- To create a database of all Ugu stakeholders
- To involve repute investors and expose them to our members in need of them..

The aim is to empower youth.

I urge serious people interested in Ugu farming to join the moving train. The group is open for now but once the structure is lined out it will be strictly by membership.

Please if you are not motivated enough, don't get involve because we will know the "realers".

We will use Nairaland platform and an email platform to create the structure for now.

Show your interest in this thread or the other one https://www.nairaland.com/3620133/ugu-farmers-association-nigeria-ufa

God bless Ugu farmers

Regards,
Ejula Farm

DBPOWER:
Hello Ejula Farm, you doing a very nice work. Thumbs up. Rightly said irrigation is very critical that is why when i set out to start my own garden i researched and stumbled upon clay pot irrigation and guess what? it works very very well in saving labor and saving most crucially water. I hope you can adopt it and share your feed back with us. Also lastly in my opinion to effectively manage and maximize land space, a higher planting density should be adopted and a trellis should be erected for vertical plant growth you can read my write up. I hope one day we can partner and start a big ugu farmers cooperative as i think this is the only way we can achieve economies of scale and push volumes. You can read my write up on the different types of irrigation i messed around with .
https://www.nairaland.com/3601759/analysis-ugu-garden-using-clay#53269899

I went through your writeup and the re-invented innovation (since it's a new application in our domain here in Nigeria), I must say that was a wonderful piece of writeup. Some months back when going through an online course with university of western Australian, I was able to see the magnitude of water conservation especially its application to farming. No doubt, Ugu is a goldmine waiting to be tapped from. I am compiling a lot to help qualify the claim that Ugu farming is big Industry on its own.

I am yet to share this since I am still very much in the process.

I will send you a mail so we will take it from there.

Ejula Farm..

dgitrader:
kudos. I learnt the hard way also. From irrigating acre of tomatoes using traditional basin flooding(mentally and physically draining, coupled with water rationing challenges) , i am repositioning to smartfarm 3plots using vertical sacks, driplines, and green house, all using high density planting population. Its a learning curve. I hope to major in ugu someday, but fencing is a priority before that. I have learnt a lot from this great thread and hope to start updating with contributions soon. You and other contributors are really inspiring

I am glad your learnt from this thread. Yes, Irrigation is key to a bountiful harvest. We are waiting your contribution.

Regards

youngzoologist:
@Ejula...happy new month to you and all visitors on your thread...please, I did my first cut of ugu two days ago...I was told a pampa goes for two thousand naira but shockingly...the guy that helped in the cutting used one and a half cement bag as one pampa....how true is this....what's your measurement and prize in your area

Honestly, this is first time I am hearing the word "pampa". I sell by hand measurement. Ugu leaves that will totally fill your hand when wrapped around goes for about #300. By measurement, it varies from 1kg to 1.5kg. I use about 1.5 kg to attract customers.

Do please explain the "pampa" usage?

Note: I was away for a while.

udejiga17:
Pls what kinda fertiliser is suitable for ugu farming

Ideally, you should test the soil for the nutrients that are deficient. The general one is NPK 15-15-15 which you can use as a standalone or mix with Urea (N).


Ejula Farm

Emempaul:
so wat the situation report so far with the progress of the farm

Things are balancing out especially sticking with just 3 plots for now.

youngzoologist:
Brother I totally agree with your experience.....in my own case...i did quite a number of comparison and decided to adopt manual all through on half an hectare...its been pretty challenging but the truth behind it is that I wanted to be sure of the profit margin at the end...
I can only wish that our unemployed youths and the government are truly serious with the agric sector

Nice picture to support your premise. You are so right about the government and youths not paying so much attention to the agric sector. Vegetable farming is all about garbage in and garbage out i.e. your input determine your output.

Take for example, I couldn't effectively water my veggies and as a result of this shortcoming I had to shift my proposed harvest day by 1 week which is this coming week.

I also couldn't apply fertilizer after the first cut because I was not too sure of an effective way to irrigate.

We will get there if we persevere. I know so.


Ejula Farm.

Emempaul:
though u learnt the hard way but it was a lesson worth learning

Thanks emempaul. I really learnt from our conversation and I really look forward to knowing more.

Update...

Challenges

Some of the major challenge with vegetable farming is effective irrigation and labour. This challenge has made me cut down my project size from 10 plots to about 3 plots for the time being.

Effective irrigation: A pumping machine + hose is manageable for 1 plot but not suitable at all for 3 plots and above. I am not saying it is not achievable but it will be unnecessary stressful. So please take note.

So from inquiries, use rain gun or drip. Yes it entails huge cost but with proper management the ROI is worthwhile.

Labour: Trying to maintain 3 plots of Ugu by yourself is very tasking. Considering especially my archaic form of irrigation. If it is a crop like plantain, then it is very possible to effectively manage even an acre but vegetables are so tender that they need daily attention. From watering to applying fertilizer to weeding.


So far... The effort is worthwhile. I have learnt a lot and with further better management, the venture would be rewarding.


Ejula Farm...

esty27:
@ejula farm. Pls Wat can I use to control bush rat on my ugu farm. they are really destroying the ugu plant and preventing it from bringing out seed

If it will not eat too much into your capital, barricade the farm space with barb wire and wood (from farm). Is a do it yourself job. 150 yards should cover a plot comfortable. u can also achieve same feat with 75 yards by diving the barb wire height into two, it can still guard against rat intrusion. A roll is 50 yards so 1.5 rolls can do the job effectively.


Ejula Farm

@syrez , Thanks

juuvi:
@Ejulafarms...thanks for the info. With irritation do you think the total project will cost up to #250k.? Labour, seeds etc

Assuming you and a family member(unpaid) will do all the labour and seed go for about #20 per one. Then an Acre not Hectare is feasible.

juuvi:
@Ejulafarm...Sir I am about to lease a hectare of land for ugu farming. As an expert farmer how much in Nairaland do you think I will need to plant on an entire hectare. Its government land and not fenced. I just need a rough estimate.
God bless

With Ideal spacing, you need a total of 10,000 seeds.

restored2016:
Thanks i tried sack farming and land farming with con-cumber! those on the sack grew better than those on soil.

Thanks for the feedback. Not surprised with the result cos of water retention capacity

Ugu Pricing...

My Recent findings: The bunch of Ugu I sell actually weighs about 1Kg and the price is tag at #300.

Do note the pricing is relative based on location.

EJULAFARM.COM is Live!


Though the domain have been registered for a while, I have not be chanced to add contents to the site as it pertains to professional website tenets.

But I am happy to say that it is up and running now.

It promises to be educative since I intend to make educative post on the website. So do check the blog out as often as you can. http://ejulafarm.com/blog/

The Website will also work side by side with this thread on Nairaland.

Ejulafarm.com aims to act as an informative hub and a point of contact for agribusiness opportunities.

Be Inspired..

Best Regards.

youngzoologist:
Hello Ejula...happy new year...i'm glad we all made it into the new year...please I like to find out few things for the benefit of others as well....
1.how did you measure your bunch....can it be measured in kilogram.....
2. Did you use organic throughout or inorganic...kindly state....I will appreciate...I've been using king humus but is pretty expensive....I need your thought on it....
3. Is it true that their is a particular way of cutting the leaves?....I will aprc8 your responds
Below is the progress on the farm....NB: this are early last month images....I shall upload most recent one soon....
Thanks

I am glad of your progress. More power to your elbow.

As regard the measurement I pasted a picture on this thread. Please note that the pricing of this bunch varies with location.

As pertaining organic or inorganic, please use the cost effective one. The market women from our discussion are only concerned with broad leaves. You are in this business for profit.


Regards

Firefire:
Please share pictures of your bunch, and when is the right time to harvest the Ugu Leaves?

Thanks in anticipation.

The bunch attached, commands a price #300 naira (the leaves should not be tiny)...

I realize the market aim to make 3X the amount they bought it for.


The Pics attached have a market value of about #600-800

Market location: Agbara..

The price should be about #400-#500 in the mainland like mushin, barracks. Generally places with less farms.

Agbara and surrounding have a lot of surrounding farms..


Be Inspired...

Challenges


WORKFORCE! WORKFORCE!! TECHNOLOGY!!!


Technology helps to reduce total needed man hours. Weeding have been a major issue followed by watering.


I'm seriously reconsidering increasing the farmlands.


Any input or advice will be appreciate. Let's talk this. Presently reading on effective farm management, hoping to finish soon and apply some techniques learned.

restored2016:
I really like your spirit! if it were some i can do it all, will not allow any-other persons to connect with others in there tread. learning a lot. contact you soon, planning to plant Ugwu this dry season in a two acre land in Imo state. but i was considering using sack farming, for the retention of water in the sack soil for some time. whats your thought?

Have not tried sack farming before but from my findings it is very good in retaining water for the plant root. If you have the resources do both sack and use up a little portion of a land. Then compare the results. I may do sack farming but in very little quantity.

Make sure you have the needed workforce for 2 acres. My advice. Ugu is more demanding than a tree crop

Be Inspired.

Market

Yes, it is the market season for Ugu. I guess most of you have noticed that the size of ugu being sold in the market is really small compared to what can be obtained doing the raining season.

There's this rumor that a lot of people have gone into the farm due to the recession. But from mine finding, we have more internet or virtual farmers than real farmers. The virtual farmers sing a lot of rhythms about farming.

Anyway, Farming a perennial crop like plantain is less risky, less demanding and to an extent have a better ROI than short span crops like Ugu and cucumber. This fact is not to deter anyone but to make the point clear that short span crops are really demanding (watering, weeding, application of fertilizers).



I went to the market to ascertain how Ugu is being sold and the findings was to an extent very encouraging. One thing is certain, demand is about 10 times more than the supply. But the crux of contention here is having a good bargaining power (Pricing)

I took some to the market yesterday and this morning and the orders keep coming in. The pricing was okay, or should I say very okay considering it is the first cut (Actually It has tiny leaves).

I sold a bunch for about #200. But with subsequent cut, it should command a price of #300 and above.

Note: A bigger bunch than the one I sold in the market (Not even a first cut) is just #100 doing the rainy season.


Be Inspired..

Ejula Farm

AKMoney1:
Boss can we talk on whatsapp please?

Send me a mail (check signature).. If what to be discussed will benefit others please lets address it in this thread...

Happy New Year...

Believing the best for this year for us ALL



Ejula Farm

EJULA FARM is wishing you all a merry Christmas.

Be Inspired..

badmus54:
Plss am having problem with my ugwu farm my leaves are burning what d solution.

If the burnt patch is black in color, trim the affected leaves (very effective). U can also add baking soda to reduce the effect.

EJULA Farm..

UPDATE

My harvest is approaching very fast or let's say its already here. But due to engagements, I am yet to pay attention to it.

January is also a good time and not late to start dry season that's if you are yet to start.

If you recall, the duration of the planting is November to February.

Stay motivated.


Ejula Farm.

olaide68:
where can I get the Neem oil?How often will it be used on Ugwu as insecticide?What is the Ratio per 16litres Napsack?thank Lukman from Ijebu Ode.Great Farmers Great Nation

Sock your neem leaves in water for about 7 days. And use this extracts. It is as potent as the neem oil.

Neem oil is around but pricey. I rather use the neem leaves (Dogoyaro leaves)

Hope this helps

More Info: https://www.smilinggardener.com/sale/pure-neem-oil-for-plants

udejiga17:
Nice one boss.. pls I have couple of questions to ask
Which is the best fertilizer for Ugu farming and how and when is it applied

a mixture of the generic NPK 15-15-15 with Urea in ratio 3:1will fly. but organic fertilizer is greatly encouraged especially doing this dry season.

[quote author=princesschuks post=51639981][/quote]I answered your question by making u understand that it is rear to see ugu sale based on tons or kg.

phillings247:
do u mean one can get more than a fruit pod from a stem growing side by side?

What I meant that if you plant 10 seeds, 7 out of it giving out at least one pod of seed is success.

UPDATE

I will update soon. The reason for the delay is because of increased labor hours on the farm site. This is the period most farmers try to put all seeds to the ground. So I am following the queue as well.

Wishing everyone Happy drying season farming.


Ejula Farm

phillings247:
supposing with good management,how many pods of d fruit can one get averagely per stem of d female ugwu plant

With Good pollination practice, 70% seed sprout is successful.

Ejula Farm