₦airaland Forum

@decatalyst Kindly contact Mr. Oluwole on this line 07050912230. Thanks

Post by: Adegbola, Bukola Suliyat – bukola@farmkonnectng.com – 08093016914

Plantain farming is undoubtedly one of the most profitable agri-business ventures. Most young entrepreneurs lack the knowledge required to set up a plantain plantation, missing out on the profitability of this business. After the first batch of harvest your plantain plant would keep producing more fruits till the harvest season is over. So you do the planting once and the rest is harvest every season. Plantain is one of the most common staple foods mostly grown in the tropical regions of Nigeria and West Africa.
In Nigeria, plantain is a special delicacy prepared by frying, boiling, steaming or made into plantain chips. Recently, plantain has been processed into flour which is gradually substituting the use of wheat flour due to its superior nutritional value. Plantain flour is also exported from Nigeria to other countries of the world.
To Start a Plantain Farming (plantain plantation) business:

GET A LAND
The first step in starting a plantain farm is acquiring a farmland. To be successful in this business any farmland you select should have the right type of soil and located in an area with favorable weather condition for the growth of plantain.
Plantain plants do best in loamy soil, the soil should contain enough organic matter with moderate moisture content. In Nigeria the areas with the highest number of plantain plantation include: Edo, Delta, Cross river, Ekiti, Ogun, and other states in the tropics.
If the land you intend to use for your plantain farm is not rich enough with the right kind of soil, you have an option to develop the land before use. Applying organic manure like chicken manure, cow manure, etc. would improve the fertility of the soil.
While selecting a land to set up your plantain plantation watch out for a land with thick vegetation. Thick vegetation is an indication that a land contains the right soil that is rich enough for the growth of plantain.

PREPARE THE LAND/SOIL
After acquiring a land for the plantation you will need to carry out land preparation activities on the land. These activities include clearing the land of bushes, trees, stones, stumps, etc. Land preparation also involves tilling the land and application of manure to improve land fertility (for less fertile land).
You may choose to use manual labor or use machines to prepare the land for planting (depending on the scale of business you intend to operate).


BUY HEALTHY PLANTAIN SUCKERS
Plantain suckers are used to grow new plantain plants. They are outgrowth (shoot) which develops from the bud at the base or corm of the mother plantain plant. Plantain suckers mostly contain short and narrow leafs on them.
When looking for plantain sucker for your new plantain plantation, ensure you approach reputable farmers that can supply you with healthy suckers, free of disease and pest damage.
There are three major varieties of plantain suckers: water suckers, maidenhead and sword sucker. The water suckers are not so ideal to use for plantain farming business. They produce weak plant with low yield of plantain fruits.
To get the best out of your plantation, buy maidenhead or sword suckers. This varieties produce strong plants that are highly resistant to pest attack, have a high level of productivity, and produce healthy fruits.
Plantain suckers sell for as low as #80 in some places and as high as #150 in others, depending on your location. Most local farmers would give an attractive discount to any buyer buying in bulk. Once you buy a healthy variety of suckers it would serve you for many years to come. All you need to do is to get suckers from your own plantation.

GET LABOR
Depending on the size of your farm, you might have to hire laborers to carry out farming activities such as: land preparation, planting of plantain suckers, weeding and harvesting. All these could also be done mechanically. If you have a big budget and can afford to set up a large-scale plantation then mechanized farming would be more helpful to you.

PLANT THE SUCKERS
Your plantain suckers should be 4-5 feet long. While planting the suckers, keep a distance of about 8-10 feet before planting the next sucker. Ensure that the soil is moderately wet. Plantain plant does not grow well in waterlogged areas.

WEEDING AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION
Weed and other unwanted plant compete for the nutrient of the soil with the plantain plant, therefore constant weeding is required. You could employ manual labor to help with the weeding or you could make use of chemicals (depends on how large your farm is).
Application of fertilizer depends on if you started the plantation on a fertile soil. However, if you must apply fertilizer on your farm make sure it has the right proportion of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. You could also till the dead plantain leaves to the ground to improve soil fertility.

HARVESTING
The plantain fruits would be ready for harvest after about 8-10 months. Once the harvest season begins the plant will continue to produce more fruits till the season is over. Harvesting is done as soon as the plantain starts to ripen.

MARKETING
The demand for plantain is on the increase, there is always a market for the product. You could supply to companies that process plantain into flour, sell in the local market, and even export the farm produce. The market for plantain in West Africa is very large and increasing.

Source: www.nextnaijaentrepreneur.com/plantain-farming/


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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has urged Nigerians to participate in the development of the agricultural sector so as to diversify and improve the nation’s economy. Speaking during the valedictory Thanksgiving Service of the Outgoing Local Government Council Chairmen in the state at the weekend in Asaba, Senator Okowa said that the present economic recession has shown that Nigerians needed to look beyond the oil economy and embrace agriculture for the growth of the economy.

There is no doubt that we are in a difficult situation in Nigeria today with the present economic recession, there is a reason for everything and God wants us to learn a lesson as a nation, we need to look beyond the oil economy, we have to go back to agricultural produce.“ he said, urging all nigerians to “take to agriculture and allied businesses, I believe that the present agricultural policies of government will impact on the lives of the people and we will see the effects in the next five years”

We will realise that the effect of the recession is to turn our eyes back to agriculture”, Governor Okowa emphasised. He called the clergy and laity to continue to pray for sustenance of peace and unity in the country and the Niger Delta region. While congratulating the outgoing chairmen for a successful three years tenure and for remembering to give thanks to God, the governor urged them to continue to contribute their quota to the development of the state wherever they find themselves. Earlier in a homily, Rev Fr. Stanislaus Odiegwu charged all political office holders to always use their position for the betterment of their society, stressing that leaders should at all times endeavour to unite the people as one and should not be ethnocentric. At the colourful reception ceremony held in honour of the outgoing chairmen, awards were given to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and some members of the state Executive Council for their support for the development of the Local Government Councils.
Source: Vanguard
www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/agriculture-holds-key-nigerias-growth-gov-okowa/

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1. Cotonou Mango
2. German Mango/ Opioro
3. Benue Mangoes
4. Normal (Ogbomosho/ Enugu (Eastern)/ Calabar/ Abuja/ Yellow) Mangoes
5. Sheri Mango
6. Julie Mango
7. Peter / Jane/ Binta Sugar Mangoes
8. Kerosene Mango

#Mango
#Varieties
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1. Prevents Cancer
2. Lowers Cholesterol
3. Clears the Skin
4. Improves Eye Health
5. Alkalizes the Whole Body
6. May Help with Diabetes
7. Promotes Healthy Sex
8. Improves Digestion
9. Helps Fight Heat Stroke
10. Boosts the Immune System

#Health
#Benfits
#Mango
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DID YOU KNOW?

-Mangoes are one of the most popular fruit in the World
-Mangoes were first grown in India over 5,000 years ago
-Mango seeds traveled with humans from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa and South America beginning around 300 or 400 A.D.
-The paisley pattern, developed in India, is based on the shape of a mango
-A basket of mangoes is considered a gesture of friendship in India
-Legend says that Buddha meditated under the cool shade of a mango tree
-Mangoes are related to cashews and pistachios
-A mango tree can grow as tall as 100 feet
-The bark, leaves, skin and pit of the mango have been used in folk remedies for centuries.

#Mangoes and #Facts
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Post by: Adegbola, Bukola Suliyat – bukola@farmkonnectng.com – 08093016914

Growing mangoes from seed is actually quite easy. (All the seeds of the mangoes we eat, dry and freeze are thrown out in the garden as mulch, and they all grow...)
The most important step is the seed selection! If you take any old shop bought seed it may not grow true to type. The seed needs to come from what is called a "polyembryonic" variety.
What that means is that the seed will sprout several identical trees. And those seedling trees will be identical to the parent tree. They are clones.
Ideally you know the parent tree, it's from your area, grows really well and gets a bumper crop every year! If not, oh well. Get seed from a polyembryonic variety and at least you know that the fruit you harvest will taste the same.
(The most common commercial variety in Australia, the Kensington Pride—also known as Bowen-—is polyembryonic. It's also a vigorous tree and usually fruits reliably, so it is well suited for seed growing.
The best time to grow mangoes from seed is the beginning of the wet season (beginning of summer).
Eat a nice mango, remove as much flesh from the seed as possible and then let it dry for a day or two.
To germinate the mango seed you could just put the whole thing in a warm, moist place and wait for it to sprout. Then cut off all the seedlings except for one. (The smallest supposedly gives you the best fruit.)
Or, if you prefer to fuss over them (or if you have only one seed but want half a dozen trees) then you can carefully cut a corner of the fibrous big seed. Cut only just deep enough so you can see the two halves of the seed, and then break it open.
Inside you find several small bean shaped seeds. Hopefully they are white and not all grey or brown and shriveled...
You can plant those mango seeds individually. They should take about ten days to sprout. If you are worried about the little thing getting eaten, uprooted or trampled you can always put a barrier around it.
If you prefer to first grow your mango tree in a pot, follow the instructions for nursery trees when it comes to planting time:

Planting a Mango Tree
You plant a mango tree just like you plant any other fruit tree.

The best time to plant your mango tree is the beginning of the wet season (summer).
Make sure you select a place in full sun. (And make triple sure you really want a big tree there!)
The tree needs to be sun hardened. If your mango tree was grown in a shade house, gradually get it used to the sun first. Then dig a big enough hole. Carefully separate tree and pot without disturbing the roots. Put tree in hole, fill in, water.

Caring For a Mango Tree
Young mango trees do benefit from regular watering and a little fertilizing until they are established. But don't love your mango tree to death. Overwatering can kill it, especially if your soil is a bit heavy. And too much nitrogen fertilizer will make it weak and sappy, all leaves and little fruit, susceptible to bugs and diseases.
The older the tree gets, the less nitrogen it needs. Phosphorus and potassium are more important.
Mulch your mango tree heavily and spread a bit of compost every now and then. If your soil is reasonable that should be all the tree needs.
If the compost is made with wood ash, all the better. (Wood ash supplies potassium which will encourage fruiting and make the fruit taste better.) For mulch use only rough stuff like hay or lucerne, nothing that may mat down and become all soggy like grass clippings.
Fertilize mango trees in spring and summer only, and only a little at a time.
A good way of helping the tree is foliar spraying with fish fertilizer or seaweed solution. It provides trace elements and avoids deficiencies, but it doesn't overfeed.
But your best bet, even on very poor soil, is still lots of organic matter by way of compost and mulch.

When the tree is one metre high, cut it back by a third so it branches.
When those branches get to a metre, cut the tips off again.
That should give you a nice shaped tree.

Pruning a Mango Tree
Mangoes respond very well to pruning. And they are forgiving. Whatever you mess up, it will grow back...
Mangoes grow terminal flowers (they flower at the tip of a branch), so the more branches you have the better the crop. You can encourage lateral branching with tip pruning. (Only taking off the tips of branches.)
You should also aim for an open crown, taking out whole branches if the centre becomes too crowded, so that air and light can penetrate.
You can use pruning to keep your tree a manageable size and a nice shape. Mango tree growing too tall? Cut it down. Too wide? Cut it back.
Pruning mangoes is not a science. In fact, some commercial growers hire a big, scary machine with a long arm with three huge rotating blades.
The machine drives along the rows and gives the trees a good hair cut so they all end up exactly the same height and width... You can do something similar by hand if you want to keep your tree a certain size.
Usually mango pruning is done after harvest, though in some cooler areas the preferred time is just before flowering.
Ideally you prune only a little bit every year. If you let a mango tree grow much too big first, and then cut it back to a third of its size, the tree will likely skip the next crop... (Cut it back to a stump and it will take two years or more. But amazingly they will grow back even from that!)
Having said all that, after the initial cuts to encourage branching as mentioned in the previous section, you don't have to prune a mango tree. If you don't mind having a real big tree, mangoes grow and fruit very well without pruning!

Flowering, Fruit Set And Harvesting Mangoes
Mangoes flower profusely and self-pollinate very well.

The flowering is triggered by cool nights. In the true tropics a severe cold snap will bring out masses of flowers. For us a severe cold snap is a night below 15°C. In years where it doesn't get so cold we end up with poor crops.
In colder climates it can easily be too cold for mango flowers to be viable. Selecting cold hardier varieties is important for you. (Nam Doc Mai would be a suitable variety in Australia.)
Initially you may see masses of tiny mangoes on your flower panicles, but the tree will shed a lot of them and keep only what it can handle. So don't worry if you see a lot of them drop off.
The mangoes will grow bigger and plumper, and eventually they will start to change colour. How long that takes depends on your climate. The hotter the weather the faster the mangoes ripen.
Usually your mangoes will be ready by the beginning of the wet season (late spring/early summer).
If your mangoes get eaten (wild birds, bats, possums, the neighbour's kids...) you can pick them half green. They will ripen at room temperature. When they say room temperature they mean 18-22°C.)
Be careful when harvesting mangoes; don't get any of the sap on you. The sap can spurt from the fruit stem when it snaps off and can cause burns, allergies and dermatitis.
It also burns the skin of the mango, which will go rotten at that spot.
(Doesn't matter if you eat it straight away, but it does when you pick them half green.)
The best way to harvest mangoes is to cut them off with a long section of stem still attached, and to handle them carefully so that the stem does not snap off.

Mango Pests and Diseases
The most serious mango disease is anthracnose, a fungus that can cause the flowers to go black and fall off. It also causes black spots on stem and small fruit, leaves may go brown...
Some varieties are more susceptible to it than others and it's worse in wet weather. It is worst in areas where it rains during flowering and fruit set. In areas with dry winters anthracnose can often be seen only once the fruit ripens. It develops black patches that go rotten...
Unless you want to spray nasty stuff, like copper solution or fungicides, you may have to live with anthracnose and accept some losses. A healthy tree with strong cell walls will show less infections than a weak one. So keep piling on that compost and spraying that seaweed...
There are many newer mango varieties that show good resistance to anthracnose. Get one of those if you live in a climate with winter rains!
Any other mango pests and diseases, like fruit spotting bugs and borers and whatever else is around, should be kept in check if you have a diverse permaculture garden that encourages beneficial insects.
One more hint is to forsake neatness and leave your lower mango tree branches drooping onto the ground. When everything else has been stung, sucked and eaten, there are usually still mangoes hiding under there...

Can You Grow Mangoes Indoors?
Nope. But you can grow mangoes in pots! So if it is just a little bit too cold in winter where you are, you can buy a dwarf variety and grow it in a tub and bring it inside during the coldest time of the year.
However, even a mango tree growing in a pot still needs lots and lots of heat and sun in summer. Growing mangoes indoors won't do!

Source: www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-mangoes.html

Follow this link to read this post on our blog: http://farmkonnectng.com/2017/10/19/growing-mango-trees-seed/

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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
THE Federal Government FG has expressed its readiness to partner with the Niger Delta region in line with the present administration’s resolve to diversify the economy from oil to agriculture and reduce youths’ restiveness.
Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu , spoke when he received the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigedier General Paul T. Boroh (Rtd), in his office.
He said the Federal government, through the ministry, was prepared to engage youths in the region in agriculture and aqua culture.
The minister, who spoke through the permanent secretary Dr. Musa Ibrahim, said the ministry was ready to “partner in any way possible so that together we will work for the common goal of our people”.
Earlier,Boroh had stated that the partnership involved access to massive rice farmland and interface with the youths in order to arrest the issue of restiveness on the land.
The special adviser said “we are interested in partnership with the ministry in this area of agriculture. We also want to partner with the ministry to transform the lives of youths. I think it will douse the tension in the Niger Delta.”
He added that the amnesty programme was using professionals to engage ex-militants in skills acquisition.
Source: The Nigerian Tribune
http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/fg-partners-niger-delta-agriculture-ease-youths-restiveness/

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DID YOU KNOW?
1. Cocoa contains more antioxidants than green tea
2. Cocoa is a great source of magnesium
3. A cup of hot cocoa is far better than a bar of chocolate!
4. It helps you think better
5. It is good for your heart
6. It reduces stress
7. Cocoa is an anti-inflammatory
8. It gives you a boost of energy
9. It contains only healthy fats
10. It can help you lose weight

#Cocoa_Powder
#Health
#Benefits
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What Is Cocoa?
Cocoa beans are the fermented seeds of the cacao tree, whose Latin name is Theobroma cacao, which means “Food of the Gods”. It is native to the Amazon region and as the meaning suggests, cocoa was historically considered a very important crop in Central and South America. In fact, its beans were so prized that the native tribes used them as a form of currency. The cacao tree stands about 12-25 feet tall and grows naturally in tropical climates.

Health Benefits of Cocoa
Lowers High Blood Pressure
Antioxidant Capacity
Improves Brain Health
Balances Cholesterol Levels
Treats Diabetes
Relieves Bronchial Asthma
Speeds up Healing
Manages Obesity
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Enhances Mood
Treats Constipation
Prevents Cancer
Treats Copper Deficiency
Reduces Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Skin Care
Treats Neurodegenerative Disorders
Prevents Magnesium Deficiency Effects

#Cocoa
#Health
#Benefits
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#CocoaRawProducts
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DID YOU KNOW?
-It takes 5 years for a cocoa tree to produce its first seed pods.
-It takes about 400 beans to make a pound of chocolate.
-Chocolate has properties that combat Heart disease; thanks to flavanoids from the cocoa plant.
-The ancient tribes, of the Maya Indians, were the first to discover the wonderful enchanting properties of the cocoa bean around the year 600 AD.
-Christopher Columbus, in 1502, was thought to have brought cocoa beans to King Ferdinand,1 during his fourth trip from the New World.
-Cocoa was exported to Europe in 1585 but the first chocolate bar was not made until 1848.
-The first chocolate house for the United States was established in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
-Throughout the world the annual cocoa production is 3 million tons.
-Length of time required for a cocoa tree to produce its first beans (pods): five years.

#Cocoa and #Facts
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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has urged its men and officers to engage in farming as a viable alternative source of income.
Its Comptroller-General, Mr Muhammad Babandede, made the call at a sensitisation and capacity building forum on agriculture for personnel of the service on Thursday in Abuja.
“Section 28 of the 5th Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows public servants to engage in agriculture so long as it doesn’t affect their official duties.
“Officers should take opportunities of this programme to improve their lot by creating alternative sources of income for themselves and their families,’’ Babandede said.
According to him, the capacity building programme is a joint effort between the NIS and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
He stated that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) had rated the NIS as the first federal agency to embrace the Federal Government’s ease of doing business initiative.
The rating, he noted, is coming second time in a row, a confirmation that the service is on the right track in the ease of doing business.
He explained that the workshop was also meant to prepare officers for the next implementation level of the `National Action Plan 02’, which was designed to take care of streamlining of entry and exit processes.
“The plan will also reduce average clearance procedure by 50 per cent; automate expatriate quota application process, and further reduce the timeline for service delivery, while specifying ingredients for reform oriented leadership.
“These will be tailored toward transparency in service delivery, service level agreement, customer service interface and continuous communication with the public,’’ Babandede said.
Source: vanguard
www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/nis-urges-personnel-engage-agriculture/



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What are cucumbers used for

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1. Help you stay hydrated
2. Support heart health
3. Protect your brain from neurological diseases
4. Protect your skin against the effects of aging
5. Fight inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of cancer
6. Relieve pain
7. Reduce bad breath
8. Protect your bones
9. Prevent constipation
10.Maintain a healthy weight
#Health
#Benefits
#Cucumber
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DID YOU KNOW?
1. The term “cool as a cucumber” is actually derived from the cucumber’s ability to cool the temperature of the blood. Also when applied topically, cucumber really does cool the blood and eases facial swelling, which is why cucumbers are so popular in facial regimens.
2. When you're out on a date and realize that you forgot gum or breath mints... Relax! you can ask your waiter for some sliced cucumber with your meal. Take a slice and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria that are responsible for causing bad breath.
3. Cucumbers contain Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. Who needs a multivitamin?�
4. When you're stressed, you can actually cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma.
#Cucumber and #Facts
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Post by: Adegbola, Bukola Suliyat – bukola@farmkonnectng.com – 08093016914
Here are 8 really important steps (or guides) to consider when thinking about cucumber farming in Nigeria:
Step 1: Research
Before you start any business, a rigorous background search and study is very important, the same applies to any type of farming including cucumber farming. There are different species of cucumber that are specific and adaptable to specific regions.
Hence, before you venture into cucumber farming in Nigeria, you need to gather all the necessary information. Also, conducting a research will help you identify what marketing methods to employ to reach and attract customers as soon as your crop is ready for harvesting.
Step 2: Have a Clearly Written Business Plan
Most farmers in Nigeria don’t usually have a clearly written business plan; however, having one will give you a competitive advantage over others. With a good business plan, you are on the path to attracting private investors and financial institutions to fund your farm.
However, attracting investment relies on your ability to manage your business properly. No investor would like to put his money in a shabbily controlled business venture.
Step 3: Find a Suitable Location for Your Farm
Since you already know that cucumber grows well when there is sufficient supply of water plus a bit of sunshine, it is also important to know that cucumber best grows in a land with rich and humid soil texture. The best place to grow a cucumber is a land close to a water bed. Growing your cucumbers on a rich humid soil serves a lot of purposes.
First is, you get to spend less on irrigation since water is necessary to produce its big and greenish ones highly sought after in the market. Secondly, when you spend less on irrigation, your profit accumulates the more.
Step 4: Land Preparation and Planting
Once you have secured your land and finalized all details, the next step requires you to prepare it before you begin to plant the cucumber seeds. Since land preparation is unarguably the most crucial step in cucumber farming in Nigeria, the following steps will give you an idea of what to do:
•Clear all weed and grass on the land
• Till the land
• Apply fertilizers to the land, unless you favor organic farming
• Dig holes in the land, each should be about 2.5cm in depth for planting the seeds; and a space of 40cm apart to ensure proper growth.
You can prepare the land in rows and columns to allow for easy passage of tractors and humans for activities such as watering and harvesting. Also, you need to consider which type of cucumber seeds to use. Is it a local or foreign seed? Open or closed seed or hybrid or general seed?
Cucumber seeds respond well to fertilizers, and can be used with organic manure. To encourage branching, nip the tips of the main stems as they grow.
Step 5: Labor
If you are starting cucumber business in Nigeria on a small scale, say with about a plot of land, you will most likely handle most of the labor yourself, and only employ people for difficult tasks like making the beds.
However, if you intend to start big, you will definitely need to hire labor.as a guide, the minimum you will pay a laborer per month is N20, 000. Since most promising businesses fail as a result of lazy or incompetent labor, it is recommended that you start small and build up your labor force gradually with hardworking and trusted employees.
Step 6: Irrigation
As mentioned earlier, the major component of cucumber is water, hence, there’s a constant need for water. If you want to grow a successful cucumber farm in Nigeria, securing a good land and an adequate supply of water are necessary.
If you don’t have constant supply of water, your cucumber will look disheveled and will taste bitter. When you harvest a bitter cucumber, you know what that implies. Nobody will buy your cucumbers and you as well say sayonara to your profits. Even animals won’t eat it. Who wants to eat a bitter cucumber?
Step 7: Harvesting
Cucumber fruits are harvested before they become mature, say between 1and 2 weeks depending on when they flower. For the first harvest, the time is around 40 to 60 days after they are sown.
Again, this duration varies depending on the weather condition and can be done daily or with a few gaps in between days.
Step 8: Marketing
Like most business ventures, cucumber farming also needs you to advertise and reach out to potential buyers. However, once you gain customers and you are known for quality, your cucumbers will advertise for you.
To attract customers, you need to ensure that your cucumbers are green, big, attractive and juicy. Oh! They must be of high quality. Cucumbers can be sold in wholesale, retail, a market nearby, or in one of the many companies specializing in cucumber processing.
Also, do not underestimate the power of the local market women.
You might not make much profit like when you sell in retail; however, you will sell in bigger volumes and the money will come quicker and faster. As long as your cucumbers are of high quality, these local market women will struggle among themselves and fight to buy your cucumbers.
When you have a steady cash flow, you will be able to cover daily operational expenses, purchase inventory, pay employees and operate costs of your cucumber farm.
Source: nigerianfacts.com/cucumber-farming-in-nigeria-step-by-step-guide/

Follow this link to read this post on our blog: http://farmkonnectng.com/2017/10/04/8-major-steps-cucumber-farming-nigeria/


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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday secured the conviction and sentencing to 40 imprisonment of Prof. Benjamin Adefemi Ogunbodede, a former Director-General, Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, IART, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan.
Ogunbodede was prosecuted alongside Zacheaus Tejumola, the institute’s accountant, Adenose Clement and Jalekun Omotowoju on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N177 million.
Trouble started for the convicts following a petition dated December 17, 2012 written by the Academic Staff Union of the institute, alleging that Ogunbodede falsely claimed to have used the sum of N115million to pay hazard allowance to the members of staff of the institute in December 2013.
It was also alleged that Ogunbodede claimed to have used the sum of N15million to harvest crops.
However, investigation revealed that he actually spent N800, 000 to harvest the crops.
The convicts had all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were arraigned on June 16, 2014, thereby setting the stage for their trial.
In the course of the trial, the prosecution presented 15 witnesses and tendered relevant documents, which were all admitted in evidence.
Also, in 2016, 10 other accused persons in the matter had pleaded guilty to the charge and subsequently entered into a plea bargain arrangement with the commission.
Justice Ayo- Emmanuel said the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt.
He, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first and second accused persons to 40 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The third accused was sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Mr Tunde Olupona, the counsel to Ogunbodede, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy before his client was sentenced.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that he said his client lacked administrative experience in running such a sensitive position.
Similarly, Mr I.A Salawu and Mrs Yetunde Adegboye, counsel to Tejumola and Adenose, pleaded with the court to show mercy to their clients, citing various portions of the constitution.
However, Mr Nkwuruka Amana, the counsel to EFCC, urged the court to sentence the convicts in accordance with the stipulation of the law.
Olupona, who spoke after the judgment, told journalists that he and his other colleagues were still studying the judgment and would in due course take appropriate decision on whether to appeal or not.
Source: This Day
www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/10/04/ogunbodede-dg-agriculture-institute-jailed-40-years-for-fraud/


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DID YOU KNOW?
That Water melon can be used for the following:
• Watermelon juice: this is done by blending the fleshy part of the watermelon and extracting its juice.
• Watermelon jelly
• Watermelon craft: watermelon can be used for craft work and also served as salad.

Helps You Hydrate
Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds
Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer
May Improve Heart Health
May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration
May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness
Is Good for Skin and Hair
Can Help Improve Digestion
#Health
#Benefits
#Watermelon
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WATERMELON
Post by: Adegbola, Bukola Suliyat – bukola@farmkonnectng.com – 08093016914

INTRODUCTION
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) belongs to the family Cucurbitacea. It is a [color=#000000][/color]vine-like flowering plant which grows and matures within a year. It is a special type of berry which is referred to as pepo. Its leaves are coarse, hairy and pinnately-lobed and white to yellow flowers. It possesses long, weak, trailing or climbing stems which are five-angled and up to 3 m (10 ft.) long. Young growth is densely woolly with yellowish-brown hairs which disappear as the plant ages. It is grown for its edible fruit known as watermelon, which has a smooth hard rind usually green and a juicy, sweet interior flesh, usually deep red to pink, but sometimes orange, yellow, or white, with many seeds. The watermelon grows on vines with large crinkled leaves.
Watermelon is relished by a large number of people across the country and even the world as a whole as a fresh fruit. This is because watermelon is thirst-quenching and is known to be low in calories but highly nutritious therefore, recommended for people that wish to lose weight; and with the high rate of overweight or obesity related issues its demand has sky rocketed. It is a good source of vitamins such as vitamins A and C in form of disease fighting beta-carotene. Potassium is also available in it which is believed to help in the control of blood pressure and prevents stroke and other numerous health benefits watermelon offers to the body. They grow rampantly once established without too much attention.

How to Start Watermelon Farming In Nigeria
Step 1: Select a Suitable Land
If you intend to start watermelon farming in Nigeria on a commercial scale, it is imperative that you look for a good piece of land; say about 1-2 plots of land for starters.
Watermelons need a lot of sun to grow well. When there’s sufficient sunlight, your watermelons would grow to be ones with juicy red flesh with lots of sugar, hence, the selected farm should be located where they can get at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. After getting the desired land, ensure you clear the land before introducing the seedlings.
Step 2: Get Seedlings
The next step to take is to get good watermelon seedlings. You can get them from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) or visit farmers who run their own watermelon farms.
Step 3: Start Planting
Sow watermelons in rows. If you are planting the Congo or Crimson Sweet variety, plant three to four seed per row, making sure that the rows are ten feet apart or more from each other. When planting, make sure that the space between the seeds is six inches apart.
Since watermelons are heavy feeders, ensure you add a moderate amount of manure, compost and leaves when planting. Apart from feeding the seedlings, the manure and other components also make sure the soil drains well. Also, provide adequate protection for your tender seedlings.
Watermelons thrive in hot weathers and grow slowly during cold days. Hence, use hot caps or cold frames during cold days or nights
Note: When collecting the seedlings from your sources, it is important to ask to know how many days you need for the variety you buy to mature. Most times, it takes 90 to 100 days for your watermelon seedlings to attain maturity.
Step 4: Apply Fertilizer Regularly
Apply fertilizers high in nitrogen until flowers begin to form. Then, switch to fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium.
Step 5: Watering
Watermelons are water-thirsty plants. Ensure that you water them regularly especially when the weather is hot. This will help to keep the soil moist.
However, after the vines begin to sprout, reduce the watering to 3-5 times every two weeks. This is to help increase the sugar content the watermelon is notable for.
Note: Once the vines begin to sprout, ensure you cover them with garden soil. This will aid secondary root growth where leaf stems meet the vine. Also, it can add a lot of weight to the watermelons.
Step 6: Weeding
Weeds are unwanted plants that compete for moisture and nutrients. Hence, you need to clear the farm of weeds in other to ensure your watermelons grow very well.
Step 7: Other Proper Care Techniques
Although it is claimed that watermelons are not susceptible to peats and diseases in Nigeria, it’s been reported that watermelons are susceptible to a variety of pests; the dreaded of which is cucumber beetles.
Hence, maintaining a healthy plant is the key to successful watermelon farming in Nigeria. Apart from weeding you also need to include practices such as: pruning, proper spacing to aid air circulation and the use of insecticides to protect your plants from pests and diseases.

Step 8: Harvesting
So, how do you know when a watermelon is ripe and ready for harvesting? Most farmers claim that they tap on the fruit and then wait to listen for a dull thump. Since you will most likely grow your watermelons on large scale, you can’t go around tapping all the watermelons on the farm. God knows that apart from being tired, you’d end up with bruised knuckles.
What are the other signs to look for?
• Yellowing of the underside
• The watermelon ceases to grow
• Drying or withering of the stem near the base of the fruit.
• The watermelon has a glossy look
Step 9: Sales
The last step to ensure successful watermelon farming in Nigeria is to transport these juicy big boys (watermelons) to the market for sale. Ensure you identify your target customers.
Your customers could include: fruit juice companies, fruit shops, local markets, grocery store owners, pharmaceutical companies that include watermelons in their medicines when creating nutritional supplements and resorts and restaurants.

References:
agriculturenigeria.com/farming-production/horticulture/watermelon
nigerianfacts.com/watermelon-farming-in-nigeria-step-by-step-guide



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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
Ogun State Government has made good its promise as it has paid N21m as compensation to seven communities in Ewekoro Local Government Area whose lands were acquired for agricultural purposes.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo who presented the cheques to the beneficiaries, said it was the first phase of payment on the 200 hectares Cassava Demonstration Farm at Owowo.
Adebajo said government was mindful of its responsibilities and commitment to the people so as to continually get their support in its bid to boost agricultural production in the state.
“Key to agricultural development is support and cooperation from everyone, Ogun is peaceful and has fertile environment for agricultural practices. We assure you that communities whose lands were acquired will be fully compensated, “she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ambali Amosun, a representative of Olowo Papa Community, appreciated the state government for fulfilling its promise adding that they are in full support of agricultural production programme of the state government.
Other benefiting communities included Kuta, Gbomolese, Ika Ogunolu, Olowo Ikija, Kurere and Latoyo.
Source:The Nigerian Tribune
www.tribuneonlineng.com/agricultural-production-7-communities-get-n21m-compensation-ogun/

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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
A civil society group, the Education Rights Council (ERC), has called for the immediate re-opening of the Federal College of Agriculture (FCA), Ibadan.
The group also called on members of the workers’ and students’ unions at the college to remain steadfast in the struggle for better public education funding.
The college was, on Wednesday, ordered shut by its provost, Dr. Adelekan.
ERC noted that the closure of the college was after its students resolved, at a congress held on Tuesday, to embark on a three-day peaceful mass action scheduled to hold from Wednesday until Friday.
The planned demonstration was to protest the poor welfare conditions in the college as well as the continuous refusal of the college administration to provide students items such as laboratory coats, farm coats, logbooks and identity cards for which they paid at the start of the current academic session.
Aside from the immediate and unconditional re-opening of the college, ERC is also demanding regular supply of water and electricity to residence halls and academic areas, supply of logbooks, laboratory coats and identity cards. The group is also demanding that re-registration of courses for the second semester must free, while the college must ensure re-accreditation of currently unaccredited courses.
In addition, the group called on the government to allocate 26 percent of the yearly budget to education as a way of ensuring adequate funding for public education.
For over six weeks, said ERC, residential halls in the college have had no electricity and water supply. The students, it added, also complained of the decrepit educational facilities, notably laboratories lacking items required for practical equipment. According to the students, many courses in the college are unaccredited, implying that those studying such courses at the Higher National Diploma level will not be allowed to participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme after their graduation.
Students also claimed that the college administration, headed by Dr. Adelekan, has been fleecing them through the institution’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Unit. For instance, they explained, all students were recently forced by the ICT unit to pay an additional fee of N600 for the re-registration of courses for the second semester after the sum of N6,600 had already been paid for the same purpose in the first semester.
Despite pleas by the leadership of the students’ union for an alleviation of the problems, the college administration turned a deaf ear, a situation the students’ union said compelled it to convene a congress of the entire students in the college where they resolved to embark on peaceful protest to express their displeasure.
According to the ERC, the approach of the college management was undemocratic. The group also urged the leadership of the students’ union not to be deterred.
“Rather, the leadership of the students’ union should seize the opportunity of the period of the forced holiday to commence a serious media campaign with a view to building public sympathy and support for their demands. It is our belief in ERC, that behind the poor welfare conditions and other related ones being faced by students is the question of underfunding or poor funding of the college side by side corruption and mismanagement,” said the group.
It called on the students’ union leadership to link all demands to the need for proper and adequate funding of the public education.
To achieve this, the ERC said, workers and students’ union in the college must remain united in their demands, which must include a financial audit of the institution and profile of its provost other members of management.
Source: Agro Business Times
http://www.agrobusinessngr.com/group-demands-immediate-reopening-federal-college-agriculture-ibadan/
________________________________________


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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said Nigeria cannot make it until the nation takes agriculture and its value chains seriously.
He said this on Thursday at the Youth Enterprises Summit organised by the Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former President said agriculture had the capacity to develop entrepreneurs and create millions of employment for Nigerian youths.
Obasanjo, who described agriculture as his second career, noted that not many countries in the world had been successful without agriculture.
The former President recalled that his administration created an enabling environment which opened doors of opportunities and made some Nigerians billionaires.
He said, “The truth is this, if we are going to have employment for millions of youths in this country, it will be mainly in agriculture business not in oil and energy. Oil and energy will give you money; will make a few billionaires and multi-billionaires.
“I opened the doors of opportunity and they took advantage of it, and I thank them for taking advantage of it.
“All the billionaires we have today, they came out as a result of them taking advantage of those opportunities. And I am grateful to them that the opportunities that my administration created, they grabbed it and utilised it.”
He added, “One thing is to create opportunity, another thing is to find people who will seize the opportunity and make what they have to make out of it.
“But let’s take agriculture, we will never make it in this country until we take agriculture seriously. There are not many countries that have made it without taking agriculture seriously.”
Obasanjo, who described himself as a successful farmer, urged youths to embrace agriculture and entrepreneurship.
He said, “If Obasanjo can do it, why can’t you do it. There is entrepreneurship in you and you must develop it. And we will make you develop it.”
Mr. Ayodele Aderinwa, who chaired the occasion, noted that the future looked scary with fear of poverty in view of the growing population of youths.
Quoting statistics, he said, African youths population would hit 850 million by 2050, arguing that “the wealth creation via entrepreneurship is the way out to combat poverty.”
A keynote speaker, Tope Shonubi, who spoke on the topic, ‘Youth and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Which way forward?’, submitted that Nigerian youths had entrepreneurship skills but lacked discipline.
Shonubi urged the youths to be consistent, humble, confident and embrace entrepreneurship with a view to adding values to human lives.
The event attracted youths from across the country.
Source: punch
http://punchng.com/nigeria-cant-make-it-without-agriculture-obasanjo/

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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
The acting vice chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), Professor Ololade Enikuomehin, has disclosed that agriculture has become a mainstay of the nation’s economy and that the future of Nigeria depends largely on agriculture.
Professor Enikuomehin made the remarks at the just-concluded 5th National Conference/Exhibition and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Research and Development (NiWARD).
The theme of the programme was ‘Diversity and Inclusiveness in Agricultural Transformation’.
“Women have a vital role to play in the agricultural activities, as most of these activities are done by women. We would like you to encourage more women to subscribe to courses in agriculture,” he said.
Professor Enikuomehin, who was represented at the occasion by the director, Centre for Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE) of FUNAAB, Professor Okanlawon Onagbesan, enjoined all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that the full potential of the country is realised by engaging in agriculture.
Corroborating the acting vice chancellor, the director, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, urged African leaders to strengthen and increase investment, research and development in agriculture, as well as engage more women, if the continent is to sustain the current momentum of improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dr Kamau-Rutenberg said that the “current trends already indicate growth in a positive direction with the World Bank reporting that agricultural GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa has accelerated from 2.3 per cent per year in the 1980s to 3.8 per cent per year from 2000 to 2005.”
She added that the African Development Bank (AfDB) had identified agriculture as the continent’s second largest industrial sector by value, while McKinsey Global study estimated that agriculture in Africa would grow by 6 per cent per year until 2030.
She, therefore, advised Africans to decide whether increased food production would be part of an agriculture that followed previous paths of extraction to the export of Africa’s natural resources.
Kamau-Rutenberg stated further that the fertility of African soils and the continued threat of the extraction and appropriation of resources did not build much prosperity for the continent.
Strengthening African agriculture, she said, would have significant economic impact that reaches majority of the population.
She reminded stakeholders that women make significant contributions to agricultural production, but do not get as much recognition and opportunities to influence policy and decision-making; therefore, there is the need for greater efforts aimed at making the agricultural sector more gender-responsive.
Source: The Nigerian Tribune
http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/nigerias-future-depends-agriculture-funaab-vc/

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Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com

The Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Audu Ogbeh is expected to deliver a lecture titled Nigeria’s economic diversification: The role of Agriculture for sustainable wealth creation, on Thursday 28 September, 2017.
The lecture is part of activities lined up for the 79th anniversary of Ikoyi Club 1938.
The Club Chairman, Babatunde Akinleye, disclosed yesterday at a press briefing to announce the official opening of the ceremony in Lagos.
Akinleye said the lecture is part of the club’s commitment to champion Federal government’s diversification goals thereby creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.
He also mentioned that the club would be visiting Ikoyi maximum as part of its corporate social responsibility to give back to the society.
According to him, the anniversary is a testimony of those who founded the club and put the structures in place. It gives the club an opportunity to look back and contribute to the society in various ways, such as charity visits, anniversary lecture, which gives opportunity for stakeholders to contribute and proffer solutions on issues in the society.
He added that the anniversary is an avenue to celebrate its members; it is a membership club with the motto, ‘harmony through recreation.’
Besides, Chairman of Dangote group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote is expected to deliver a keynote speech while Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode is expected to be the host for the day.
However, the 79th anniversary event is a weeklong activities beginning from Monday, September 25 and culminating with a family fun day and bazaar on Independence Day, Sunday October 1.
Source: Agro business Times
http://www.agrobusinessngr.com/ogbeh-speak-role-agriculture-sustainable-wealth-creation/

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Weeds have certain effects in agriculture, which are mostly in the form of different harmful results but somehow there are also some beneficial effects.
Direct Losses by weeds
1. Weeds cause reduction in crop yield through competition for light, nutrient, water and space. They can also reduce the yield of crop through the release of toxic substances or exudates which inhibit crop growth. This is called allelopathy. Uncontrolled weed infestation can lead to 95% yield loss in cassava, 40% in maize and 53% in cowpea, soybean and pigeon pea.
2. Weeds can reduce the quality of harvested agricultural products.
3. Weeds interfere with harvest operations and increase the cost of harvesting in both small holder and large scale farms.
4. Weeds may poison animals e.g. Amaranthus spp can adversely affect livestock because of the high nitrate content of the shoots.
5. The cost of controlling weeds is high.
6. The presence of weeds can impede water flow in irrigation canals.
7. The presence of weeds in lakes and reservoir can increase loss of water by transpiration.

Indirect Losses caused by weeds
1. Weeds serve as alternate hosts to many plant diseases and animal pests e.g. insects, rodents, birds etc. that attack crops.
2. The presence of weeds imposes a limit on farm size.
3. The presence of weeds can also reduce the economic value of lakes by preventing or limiting fishing activities.
4. Weeds such as Imperata cylindrica become fire hazards in the dry season throughout the savanna vegetation zone.

Non Agricultural Losses
1. Weeds affect health of humans, stinging nettle can cause skin rashes and the flowers of some other weeds can be associated with allergies in humans
2. Weeds impair visibility along roads and railway lines.
3. Uncontrolled weed growth reduces the value of real estates.
4. In situations where farmers depend on human labour for weeding, children have to miss school at peak of weeding periods. This reduces the quality of education that these children can get during their early years.

Beneficial Effects of Weeds
1. Weeds provide a vegetative cover that protects the soil surface against erosive action of rain and wind.
2. Weeds play an important part in nutrient recycling. Roots of weeds tap nutrients from the lower soil depths and return these to the soil surface as litter when the weeds shed their leaves or when the entire plant plants dies and decays.
3. Weeds add organic matter to the soil both from the roots and from the above ground parts.
4. Many plants that are designated weeds are used as potherbs e.g Talinum triangulare.
5. Weeds are sources of pesticides e.g Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium which provides insecticide pyrethrum.
6. Weeds provide food and cover for animal. Wildlife generally depends on weeds for survival as food and shelter.
7. Weeds serve as an important source of genetic materials for crop improvement such as breeding for resistance to pests and diseases which are made possible by genetic materials provided by wild species of the crop plants.
8. Weeds serve as hosts beneficial insects, and at the same time provide nectar for bees.
9. Many weeds help to beautify the landscape. E.g a good ground cover of Cynodon dactylon beautifies the home.

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Harmful Effects of the Agent

Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are a broad group of plants, animals, and bacteria that are engineered for a wide variety of applications ranging from agricultural production to scientific research. The types of potential hazards posed by GMO’s vary according to the type of organism being modified and its intended application. Most of the concern surrounding GMO’s relates to their potential for negative effects on the environment and human health. Because GMO’s that could directly affect human health are primarily products that can enter the human food supply, this website focuses on genetically modified food. To date, the only types of products that have been approved for human consumption in the U.S. are genetically modified plants.
All genetically modified foods that have been approved are considered by the government to be as safe as their traditional counterparts and are generally unregulated. However; there are several types of potential health effects that could result from the insertion of a novel gene into an organism. Health effects of primary concern to safety assessors are production of new allergens, increased toxicity, decreased nutrition, and antibiotic resistance.

Food Allergy:
Food Allergy affects approximately 5% of children and 2% of adults, and is a significant public health threat. Allergic reactions in humans occur when a normally harmless protein enters the body and stimulates an immune response. If the novel protein in a GM food comes from a source that is know to cause allergies in humans or a source that has never been consumed as human food, the concern that the protein could elicit an immune response in humans’ increases. Although no allergic reactions to GM food by consumers have been confirmed, in vitro evidence suggesting that some GM products could cause an allergic reaction has motivated biotechnology companies to discontinue their development.

Increased Toxicity:
Most plants produce substances that are toxic to humans. Most of the plants that humans consume produce toxins at levels low enough that they do not produce any adverse health effects. There is concern that inserting an exotic gene into a plant could cause it to produce toxins at higher levels that could be dangerous to humans. This could happen through the process of inserting the gene into the plant. If other genes in the plant become damaged during the insertion process it could cause the plant to alter its production of toxins. Alternatively, the new gene could interfere with a metabolic pathway causing a stressed plant to produce more toxins in response. Although these effects have not been observed in GM plants, they have been observed through conventional breeding methods creating a safety concern for GM plants. For example, potatoes conventionally bred for increased diseased resistance have produced higher levels of glycoalkaloids.

Decreased Nutritional Value:
A genetically modified plant could theoretically have lower nutritional quality than its traditional counterpart by making nutrients unavailable or indigestible to humans. For example, phytate is a compound common in seeds and grains that binds with minerals and makes them unavailable to humans. An inserted gene could cause a plant to produce higher levels of phytate decreasing the mineral nutritional value of the plant. Another example comes from a study showing that a strain of genetically modified soybean produced lower levels of phytoestrogen compounds, believed to protect against heart disease and cancer, than traditional soybeans.

Antibiotic resistance:
In recent years health professionals have become alarmed by the increasing number of bacterial strains that are showing resistance to antibiotics. Bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics by creating antibiotic resistance genes through natural mutation. Biotechnologists use antibiotic resistance genes as selectable markers when inserting new genes into plants. In the early stages of the process scientists do not know if the target plant will incorporate the new gene into its genome. By attaching the desired gene to an antibiotic resistance gene the new GM plant can be tested by growing it in a solution containing the corresponding antibiotic. If the plant survives scientists know that it has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene along with the desired gene. There is concern that bacteria living in the guts of humans and animals could pick up an antibiotic resistance gene from a GM plant before the DNA becomes completely digested. It is not clear what sort of risk the possibility of conferring antibiotic resistance to bacteria presents. No one has ever observed bacteria incorporating new DNA from the digestive system under controlled laboratory conditions. The two types of antibiotic resistance genes used by biotechnologists are ones that already exist in bacteria in nature so the process would not introduce new antibiotic resistance to bacteria. Never the less it is a concern and the FDA is encouraging biotechnologists to phase out the practice of using antibiotic resistance genes.

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As the name implies, quail eggs are the eggs laid by various species of quail, which are in the order Galliformes. Quail are mid-sized birds found through Europe, North Africa, the southern United States and parts of Asia. Quail eggs are notably smaller than duck and chicken eggs, and are widely consumed and sold as novelty foods around the world. They are popular in Japanese bento boxes, and are typically eaten 3-5 at a time, due to their small size. Aside from being considered “cute” in many cultures, they are also packed with nutrients that make them a delicious and healthy option to add to your daily or weekly diet.
Despite the prevalence of quail in the United States, consumption of quail eggs is dominated by the Asian market, where they are commonly hawked as inexpensive street food, but the rich, flavorful yolk has increased the demand for these eggs in many different culinary areas. They have a higher yolk-to-white ratio than normal eggs, which can make them potentially dangerous for people with elevated cholesterol, but generally, quail eggs are considered very healthy. That being said, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of quail eggs.

Health Benefits of Quail Eggs
1. Improve Vision: There is an impressively high level of vitamin A found in quail eggs, which means that it helps to protect our vision and eye health. The antioxidant activity of vitamin A can help to reduce macular degeneration and prevent the development of cataracts, helping you see better for longer!

2. Balance Cholesterol: There are a good amount of beneficial fatty acids found in quail eggs that many people enjoy due to their heart-boosting effects. HDL cholesterol is the “good” form of cholesterol that our body needs to offset the negative effects of LDL cholesterol, and HDL makes up more than 60% of the fat in quail eggs. However, for people with pre-existing cholesterol problems, adding large quantities of these eggs to your diet might not be the best choice, as there is roughly 1.6 grams of saturated fat in each serving.

3. Stimulate Growth: Just like with regular chicken eggs, quail eggs provide a solid boost of protein to the diet, which we need for countless processes in our body. Proteins are broken down into their constituent components and reformed for new cells, tissue, muscle, bone, and blood vessels. The protein punch of these eggs can ensure healthy and normal growth/repair.

4. Increase Metabolism: The range of B-family vitamins that are found in quail eggs result in boosted metabolic activity throughout the body, including hormonal and enzymatic function. By ensuring smooth bodily processes and organ functions, quail eggs can be far more than a delicious treat!

5. Raise Energy Levels: The long list of minerals and micronutrients found in these tiny eggs, as well as the protein boost of nearly 6 grams per serving, makes these eggs particularly good for an early morning surge of energy and mood. A high-protein, nutrient-dense breakfast is highly recommended for those who often feel dependent on caffeine or other stimulants to regulate their energy levels.
“Quail eggs contain 13 per cent protein compared to 11 per cent found in chicken eggs. They also contain 140 per cent of Vitamin B1, compared to 50 per cent found in chicken eggs,” quail eggs are known to help fight allergy symptoms because of the ovomucoid protein that is contained in them.

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