₦airaland Forum

fluentinfor:
I reached out to my contacts and I realised using nets on rice farms is not new in Nigeria. It is exactly the same principle as covering earthen fish pond. So, this issue to me is solved.

Like I always tell people, reaching out to local farmers is a powerful way to excel in farming. Internet farmers are noise makers. Lol.

And yes, my curiosity about identifying the specie of birds where the farm is located is very vital so you get the right mesh of net you should use. I was told that farmers in Kwara and Lafiagi adopt 1.5 inches mesh. Farmers in Ibadan in the document that showed us one of the right measures used 0.9inch mesh. I believe 1 inch can still work there. And the net is very affordable. Very affordable.

The question OP must ask himself is what is the right mesh size for the kind of Quelea on the farm?

@TangoAlpha, do you plan returning to your farm to cultivate rice again? Can you do one acre pilot?

Ok, yes...I am still curious to know what our guy who is asking about cats, rats and insects around the farm is trying to do. Lol!

how affordable are the nets? have you found out from the farmers?

unless youre going to live in your village, build wherever you're living

hglmkope:
Please do not say what you don't know. The CUCRID building was built with funds from the church not the University

Maybe tell cu staff not so say what they do not know.

kioboy:
please iam here to point out the effectiveness of fish net o, nothing else. if you watch that video you will understand my point. sometimes ago someone opened a thread on how to control snake attack, then I replied and told him to use fish net but I didn't have time to post pictures to support it.

please where did you get your nets and how much do they cost?

jydharry:
I saw this lying dead on the net I use to protect my fish pond from reptiles and birds, all thanks to the net cos I'm just trying to imagine the damage dis would have cos if he gets into the pond.the snake was trying to get into the pond to feed on my two months old fish and it got trapped by the net,I got to the farm this morning to meet the snake dead....trust me,my Guard old soldier don set fire sharply....he said oga,Meat don land and I remember lallastica and mynd44

please what is the size of the net you used and the price you got it?

i found a research done on the feasibility of using nets as a from of protection on farms as compared to bird scaring and without any form of protection. I must admit that the research is old being performed in 2007. But what interests me is that they used local nets and it seemed to be cheap at the time(but of course it would probably be more expensive now). i'd like if you guys could check it out and discuss what you think.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjpkPTfk__WAhUEmBoKHby4CVQQFghDMAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propcommaikarfi.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F08%2F35-Demonstration-and-financial-Feasibility-of-the-use-of-nets-to-prevent-bird-damage-12-07-1.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2zqG2T5q6UbRB8A72PuN1M

i found a research done on the feasibility of using nets as a from of protection on farms as compared to bird scaring and without any form of protection. I must admit that the research is old being performed in 2007. But what interests me is that they used local nets and it seemed to be cheap at the time(but of course it would probably be more expensive now). i'd like if you guys could check it out and discuss what you think.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjpkPTfk__WAhUEmBoKHby4CVQQFghDMAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.propcommaikarfi.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F08%2F35-Demonstration-and-financial-Feasibility-of-the-use-of-nets-to-prevent-bird-damage-12-07-1.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2zqG2T5q6UbRB8A72PuN1M

TangoAlpha:
T

Thank you @fluentinfor for taking time out to crunch the numbers. It would be a valuable guide for many of us going forward.

I expect the prices from China to be less; but I doubt if it will be a significant difference.

You can readily see that the HDPE are not viable even without detailed analysis.

For the HDPE, at $50,000 per hectare @ 365 naira per $; the net costs over NGN 18 million (let's even assume that is all the cost; which it isn't)

Paddy sells for say NGN 130,000 per ton
You record a yield of 4 tons per hectare. (Ofada). Farro44 could give up to twice that yield.

Also assume you plant rice 3 times a year

3 * 4tons * 10 years * 130,000 naira (3 * 8tons* 10 years * 130,000)

After 10 years you have

15.6 million (31.2 million)

Break even (or is it payback time) is somewhere in the 6th year (not considering time value of money or other costs incurred) if yields are up to 8tons per hectare. The farmer is not likely to break even (or payback) within the ten year lifespan of the HPE nets if the yield is less than 5tons per hectare.

On the bright side; if the rice is not sold as paddy, but processsed further before sale, the payback time becomes shorter.

From the top of my head, I can say the the premium polypropylene nets with the five year life span has potential of being the optimal of the options. That is the option I will most like drill down on.

Thank you once again for your invaluable inputs.

When you say processing would make the venture more profitable, wont the cost of processing still move further the payback date?

Statsocial:
Hmm I don't believe so. CUCRID was put up by CUCA(covenant uni construction agency) but paid for by the Church. In fact the church spending on CUCRID as at months ago was put at 5 billion. 2 billion on Construction and then 3 billion on equipping. However it is important to note that research grant emanating from CUCRID to all present 21 clusters is usually coming from CU. Although DOF also give financial sponsorship to some clusters e.g Software development cluster led by Prof Sanjay Misra. Also I met with the deputy director of CUCRID(Dr Obinna) some months ago and he did confirm to me that they got billions from d church to equip CUCRID while taking me on a tour to the molecular laboratories in CUCRID.

Same with Senate building(constructed by dutum), built by d church with 350 million and then furnished with another 150 m. CU doesn't contribute much to its own infrastructure yet
.

Well, unless cu was lying to us. Cause I'm sure i applauded that day when it was said

Statsocial:
CU's expenditure is growing way too fast by the years. It is not advisable to take the fees down so low. Would the church be able to keep up? We are talking about wage bill, infrastructure, maintenance, conference support, research grant, consultancy fees, Electricity etc. Already the Church supports with at least 2 billion per year. Last year, 2015/2016 they gave close to 10 billion for Research center and PG hall of residence. And would still presumably pay landmark and Covenant university for 200 students that are on scholarship under the David Oyedepo scholarship scheme. So the church is trying abeg.

im pretty sure that they mentioned in school that the cu-crid was built from the schools own money and without the church

siraj1402:
The spread that was all of Ofada town appeared rugged-looking with prominent masculine features. Its undulating topography and its twin stretch of housing varieties gave away the evolvement that the town had undergone. Nothing announced its prominence as a town that was once an agricultural delight, specialising in a species of rice aptly named after it. Ofada looked sleepy and showed an unreadiness to be aroused.

With very few residents around that Wednesday afternoon, Nigerian Tribune found the company of 47-year-old Akeem Onabiyi, an indigene of the town, quite useful when he agreed to satisfy the tour yearnings of the crew. With a glass of beverage seated in front of him and the pleasing presence of his friend, Onabiyi idled away.

Onabiyi’s mood took a downward turn when he was asked what had happened to that rare species named ‘Ofada’ rice after the name of the town. With a disturbed countenance, Onabiyi reminisced about the frustrations that drove him away from the cultivation of the rice.

“I started the cultivation of Ofada rice in 1991. My first harvest earned me about N4,000. From the proceeds, I was able to buy a plot of land for N3,000 and the extra N1,000 was used for other things.

“Today, I have built my house and all thanks to the rice farming .Though I have a car, I still farm and you can see how rough my hands look from constant farming. But much happened that scared me from the job. Ofada rice farming is very strenuous; it is not like planting other crops or species of rice,” he said.

Before the decline...

Ofada ranked prominently given its cultivation and sale of its peculiar species of rice. In many outdoor engagements and even at restaurants, it is common to find people show their preference for the locally-made rice referred to as ‘Ofada rice.’

A large majority of the residents prided themselves in the cultivation and sale of the rice whose proceeds were used in the satisfaction of their daily needs. Aside its nutritive value, Ofada rice became loved by a large majority of the public because of its aromatic allure.

Over the years, however, what became obvious was the sharp decline in the cultivation of the rice by members of the community. While it is true that the same species of rice can be found in other places, what became disturbing is the fact that the vocation which placed the town in global light has been abandoned.

A first-timer who would have heard of the town’s renown for the cultivation of the rice would expect to see in the town a stretch of rice farms in pale gold glistering in the morning sun. Today, buildings of various magnitudes spring up in what used to be the lush Ofada rice farms.

‘It would be difficult to go back to planting it’

Onabiyi told Nigerian Tribune of the processes involved in the cultivation of the rice. “Ofada rice is quite different from the polished rice that people eat. It is more delicious and nutritious. After planting the rice, it takes about two to three months before the rice can be harvested. After harvesting, the rice goes through some processes to make it edible. In fact, one has to be very careful when handling the grains because once the seeds are dispersed carelessly they begin to germinate again.

“To prevent this, we store the grains on raised platforms from the ground and bring the bags down only when people are ready to buy,” he said.

Speaking further, Onabiyi argued that when others, like him, discovered that the hardships associated with the cultivation were unbearable, they decided to quit.

According to him: “The cultivation of Ofada rice is very profitable but the challenges are many. I have come to believe that there is a spiritual dimension to this. Once it is time for harvesting, strange birds feast on the grains even before they are harvested. This results in great loss to the farmer. Many of us tried to employ spiritual means to scare the birds but the more we tried, the more impossible it became. In fact, we went as far as carrying out spiritual sacrifices.

“Early in the morning, these birds get to the farm before anybody else and start eating the rice. In order to prevent this, we get to the farm by 6 a.m. and stay in the farms till 7 p.m. when we are sure that the birds would have gone. If this is not done, all the grains would have been devoured before the next day by the birds. We have also discovered that those who tried to plant this particular species of rice in other places are faced with similar difficulties.

“There are still farmers who engage in its cultivation but they are now very few. Many of us prefer to plant cassava instead. I have stopped planting Ofada rice; I now plant cassava and corn,” he revealed.

He added that the community’s youths have no regard for the cultivation of Ofada rice because of the trouble associated with it and lack of government support.

‘I cultivate a 7-acre Ofada rice farm with just hoe and cutlass’

they tried to use juju? lol

saliubello:
My New strategy for Higher success.

1. 12 acres rice field coming next.
2. Irrigation scheme
3. Mechanised farm

how expensive do you think the irrigation will be?

TangoAlpha:
To answer your question directly; the drone will not need to be flown 24/7. The birds attack during the day only. So you only fly during the day. Do you fly all through the day? No. But you may need to fly for most of the day.

Let me break this down a bit more.

Quelea quelea attacks are greatest in the early mornings and early evenings. But they generally attack through the day.

When you use a drone, it's motion and noise drives the birds. If the farm is not so big....the drone can travel back and forth in a few seconds and will leave the birds no respite. The theory is that if you frustrate them so much they will take a break for upto 30-45minutes. If the drone activity continues, and the birds upon returning realise that they still don't have the opportunity to feed on your rice, Thier frustration increases. If you sustain this back to back. You are very likely going to make the birds migrate from the area.

There is a potential problem though. Many drones that qualify for this task have limited battery life. Typically battery life's are about 10-30 minutes. So you may need to have a number of spare batteries to be able to fly the drone footage hours.

The other challenge is if the area you need to fly the drone over is too large (my rice was on about 50 acres, and I had only one drone); the birds will feast on the rice before the drone gets to them and they will fly to other parts of the rice farm once the drone gets to them. Before the drone gets to the new spot, the birds would have done more damage...on and on..

So get as many spare batteries as you can. And plan the number of drones to match the size of you farm.

I used the DJI Mavic Pro. Unfortunately, it didn't help much. The size of the farm and the population of the birds overwhelmed it. I reckon that of I had 5-10 of that drone I may not have a list a single grain to the birds.

thank you so much for the detailed explaination

TangoAlpha:
I made an attempt at Ofada rice farming this year as well. The birds ravaged the farm. I lost, probably more than 90% of the harvest to the birds. They are called Quelea quelea. They are a most destructive species of birds. They should never be underestimated. They are estimated to be about 1.5-2 billion in population globally; and probably 98% of that population is in Africa.

This was partly why I asked you if you have an estimate of the population that came to your farm.

I attempted a number of options.

1) Bird tapes
2) Laser generating torch
3) Drone
4) Chiili-Vinegar solution
4) Avicide from Jubailli
5) Avicide imported from the US
6) Manual scaring

I can give you details of the outcomes of each of these options. But let me fast forward to what I think might deliver better results:

1) Bird netting. This option is very expensive and may not be economically viable if the market value of the rice is low. Ofada is pricier than regular rice; so there is prospect for bird netting to be viable. From my little research however, there are no high yielding Ofada variety yet; so the viability of the netting option might be questioned.Further investigation needed.

2) I am aware (from newspaper reports) that the Nigerian Federal government (and some state governments in the north) assist rice farmers by deploying aerial spraying of rice farms with avicides to combat the Quelea quelea. Millions of the destructive birds are killed this way. This is probably why rice farmers from the northern are able to record better rice harvests. i am not aware of any such initiatives for rice farmers down south. (https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/the-guardian-nigeria/20170528/282162176175888)

3) The use of juju. Many Ofada rice farmers believe that they can control these birds using juju. I have engaged many of them, directly and indirectly, and they all seem confident of the efficacyof the option. for the record, I do not share their belief. And even if they were to demonstrate that they are right, I still would not adopt this method. But then, I still have to mention it.

4) Drones should work if the number of drones is adequate for the size of the farm.

when you say drones, are the drones continuously flying over the farm? 24/7?

9jvirgin:
It shows you cannot satisfy humans, Buhari has always been modest and will forever remain modest. If the cake is made of gold and diamonds; the same people will complain of too much money spent on a cake and cry corruption.

Carry on sir. What an innocent man Buhari is.

guyy the minimum requirement is that the cake at least look like it was well made. its not expensive doesn't mean it shouldn't be done well

folorunso86:
Oluwatuyi folorunso's table .........;...
Enough of Universities in this country. A friend of mine who is a season Scholar recently told me that establishment of universities by churches in Nigeria is a way of creating employment. This he said to make me reason along with his support of this "ungodly" focus of our modern churches. I have always and I will continue to go against church establishing university. A narrow minded man will quickly agree that this social group - churhes are helping in creating job but I say capital No to this. Churches are only and will end up increasing the rate of unemployment by doing this. Someone may like to ask me how. Let us assume a new establish university absorb 1500 workers, academic and non academic staff inclusive. Yes, this is very good !!!! But at the long run, such school will end up producing graduates that will be rooming around looking for job. This will be done every year !!! After collecting tithes and offerings, churches establish schools that will not be affordable for there members even the less privileged. If indeed, any church wanna help us out of unemployment in this country, then I will suggest that it is better to establish companies, factories, plants. These have the tendency of creating employment permanently without any long run side effect. Universities is like secondary schools. You see them in every streets, villages, town, cities producing fruits that are half baked. The few tertiary institutions we have should be upgraded .......

Lool your reasoning is flawed. So public universities dont produce people that go about looking for jobs too? What about the people that dont get admission every year? Dont they go about looking for work too?
Dont take out your frustration out on the church and meet your government to upgrade the universities so that there would be no need for private universities. By the way, Covenant university has a construction company, oyedepo owns a publishing house, a power plant and provides alot of jobs .

Start a company and give the millions of youths outside jobs if you think you can do better

This is great! But no pics?

following.

DangotePikin:
you will be a council member

Lol not in a million years

DangotePikin:
are u in school?

yh since sunday

dareerah:
All the ones i've met.

lol then you must not be a cu student.

dareerah:
Lol they're covenant university students and top smart students, that's why i featured them.. Btw all cu girls are like this..

lool all cu girls?

Yildiz:
It depends on the season. Currently it's about 32k per bag but can come as low as 18k

thanks for the info,it seems like the profit gained from this venture would be much. Keep up the good work sir, your work is inspiring to an aspiring farmer. I'm still expecting to see a complete breakdown on the amount spent after harvesting.

Yildiz:
Am expecting 10-15 bags per hectare

and how much does a bag averagely cost?

Yildiz:
Maximizing investment.

so what do you expect to your return on investment after harvest?

If i might ask, why did you choose cowpea?

Please how often does a plantain tree fruit? Like after it matures

DeutschJunge:
i dont know where this news originated from but i know it is not possible.
First of all, he cant buy arsenal becasue it would be bought by the state of emirati before it can be sold to anyone else.
dangote can not compete with a country, a rich middle eastern country for that matter.

lets say he buys it, he will not sack wenger, becasue dangote is a business man and every business man wants to make money first, especially after sheading a huge sum to buy a club, he will want to make the money back.. aresen wenger might not win titles but he makes money.

lastly, arsen wenger is an icon and a hero in aresnal, hes got the board of directors wrapped around his pinky.. lets not forget, if he steps down as manager he has an automatic chair at the board.. you cant just come and oust him like that

He actually said it in a recent interview. But ye said its not now that he would do it and only if the two guys with the most shares will sell to him

kinibigdeal:
Ikorodu would be a better location for computer village

Ikorodu is too far from the original computer village na

ozimec:
Brother, Innoson vehicles are one of the strongest available, stronger than most vehicles you know. both the buses and their sedan, suvs and pickups are very strong. they are very rugged. I have seen all

Really? Then why aren't they more popular?

From a little online research i did recently, the innoson umu and fox were released in 2014(about two years ago) but i am yet to see anyone driving one. i have only seen one of their buses on the road and havent seen a single pick up truck or sedan on the road(i leave in Lagos). Is it that people are not patronizing innoson at all? or have they tried it and were not impressed? www.nairaland.com/attachments/3268584_1382327340944509414026752560097525088167n_jpeg5871c269d541ee89b17aa24c50d5efde
https://i0.wp.com/innosonmotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/steering-wheel-umu.jpg