₦airaland Forum

How do we move forward as a country when some citizens act in very unpatriotic manner (including politicians).

Do we call poverty or greed/foolishness as the problem?

No infrastructure is working e.g. roads, government hospitals, schools, government agencies etc.

You have to fight those thoughts of evil.

The love for your dad (may his soul continue to rest in peace) affected you and you get frightened that you may lose another loved one.

The solution is to Control your thoughts and try to forget about the past, never let it hold you down.

Competition will bring the price down. We need patience to grow. An example is communication (gsm) it took the invent of globacom to crash the industry. The price will crash before 2 quarter of next year "mark my word"

sherif4owo:
This is a pure lie.

There are so many good rice without stones in the country now.

I just hope the government find a way to control the price of rice. The price is very unreasonable for consumers.. meanwhile the marketers are a making double and even triple profit than they were making on the imported rice. I understand that this is because of high demand and scarcity.

This government lacks proper implementation of good policies.

I was expecting this statement from government.

Well most government workers just resume every day to gist and sell wares.
I wonder what workers in the water, steel etc do in office daily? Some of their offices are in terrible state.

I hope this guy will not shout witch hunt when he is found to defame the character of the VP.

Why is he taking advantage of the rumoured issue the VP has with the presidency?

He needs to take it easy.

jeswinner:
Did you sell the dry maize as a whole or you had to shell it?

I shell and even crush but on demand.

If they have proof that they are farmers, quarantine officers working with custom will give them free passage of their product.

I once transported 15 tons of dry maize from my farm to Lagos. Quarantine officers stop the truck and I was called to come and defend and show proof that they are not imported maize. I got there and explained to their my occupation, took them to my factory where I shell and process maize, and also to my farm.

They registered my company name and now I have free movement of my products. When my stuff pass they comment na that farmer get am o.

hisexcellency34:
Why cant our youths storm DSS headquarters in Abuja?

That's a death sentence
I pray no one suggest such idea. The high profile criminals at their office will make them (dss) react with unprecedented force.

Government officials and their attitude of "make we sha do something, so hin go dey record say we try"

That young man knows the right equipment to buy and provide for his people but greed and foolishness limits his sense of reasoning.

tungamaje:
Come off this Mr Man. Assuming you borrowed money to farm and visit it to see their cows grazing in it, won't you confront them? A friend of mine in Abuja was coming home one certain evening and saw some Fulani herders with their cattle in someone's guinea corn farm. He asked them if what they were doing was right. One of the boys replied him, come and stop us if it your farm. You could imagine what would have happened if the farm was my friend's

There are ways to resolve issues without including violence. Do not forget that language, hatred, manner of approach are barrier to solving issues.
In my farm locations, we have cooperatives and our sole aim is to protect our interest. We know the fulanis in our location and if any of them damage our crops, the farmer isn't to challenge them just take a picture of the herder or have a witness thats all. Take the matter to the police and the owner of the cattles will pay for the damages with interest.
To surprise you the owners of the cattles are igbos, yoruba and hausa. I have about 4 cows at the moment with a fulani guy.

For the record, it is difficult to understand a trade you are not involved in, just like I can not say much about your trade or profession. I am a master holder from university of Nottingham so I will not approach issues like an illiterate.
Not saying there are no bad eggs amongst them (such as the rustlers that even steal the herders cattle and kill them).

I don't believe herder will just stab a farmer without confrontation by the dead.

I relate with herders in all my farms and they are respectful people.

Maybe it is an assassination by his few townsmen tagged herdsmen to divert attention.

Aflasafe (@Aflasafe) Tweeted:
NEWS: IITA, FG urge maize, groundnut farmers to use #Aflasafe to boost access to market https:///EijMAQPJ6y #AflsafeNG #aflatoxinNG https://twitter.com/Aflasafe/status/1145640800782561280?s=17

excanny:
What's the active ingredient of this aflasafe?

Please kindly check Google or the below link

Why raise a suspended or closed matter? What is your intention?

Available

Everything against them is a threat to democracy but when they (pdp) act abnormal it is good for democracy.

They should shut up and act like a credible opposition giving apc a fight for the next election.

Parents what are you doing?

Teach your kid value and self respect.

Not every shit trending is good.

We need to stop this rubbish

These white people keep doing experiments with animals. I hope they will not harm us in return..

Everybody will rest now.

Hi guys,

Have you all heard of alfasafe?

It's main function is to radiate toxin in the soil.

Application method is broadcast.

I use them everytime I plant maize.

Best for maize farmers that dry their maize. You sell at a high price and poultry farmer and companies rush your produce.

Below are pictures from my farm and when I applied it.

In terms of culture the boy disrespected prof. But regarding etiquette and being human, prof. as a scholar (also) should have read his seat and sat at his allotted seat.

It makes me vex when I go through the stress of picking a wind seat or asking for same at the checking/ticketing area and I meet someone on my seat, I normally ask them to stand or meet the hostess to do same for me.

Their brain as opened... Nigerian government officials are reactive to every situation never proactive

Pistotita:
Exactly my point.

I have shamed rain holders. I played "Send down the rain" by Majek Fashek one time, went inside my store, brought out my drip, and water started dripping on the roots of my plants. It was like miracle to them. Technology shamed "jazz". Everytime I thought of it, I am reminded of the trees planted by the bank of river in Psalms. Lol.

Without rain or irrigation, maize is not profitable.

Please what do you think of this: Having 10 ha near river, have a powerful water pump which can drive a rain gun that can cover 1 ha at once. Do you think it will be profitable? Fresh maize farmer: Around which period can one deploy this to get maximum profit? When is fresh maize crazily expensive?

Maize planted around a river will grow very well with little rain. The reason is the river will breathe on the maize. Also, the soil around the river is soft and moist. I have a stream at the end of my farm where I plant vegetables. My maize stand around the stream grows well with little rain. It the stream that brings antelopes and co. to my farm.

The land far from the river will need the pump. But if it isn't automated (which is expensive) you have to consider pumping machine, hose, labour (that will not do it well), theft etc. Cost and risk.

Fresh maize is expensive from around September to April. Most maize farmers that plant dry season aim for dried maize instead of fresh.

Pistotita:
Farmers, how do you manage using rain to grow maize? This year rain was so late. For example, if you apply fertilizer, and rain does not fall, what do you do? During the 6th week tassels start developing and there is no rain, what do you do? Or do you have a secret to force down rain? Just curious. Cos rain isn't stable. I think only roots and tubers can tolerate long period of drought. @ifedola28 @Inspectahdeck @ijemishkisic @Chiansky @

Hello,

This is where hybrid seeds with drought resistant comes to play.
We hope rain falls well this week on our farms.

Once a farmer applies fertiliser and rain does not fall, my observation is same will not work at all or be effective on the maize.

The danger is when the maize starts producing cob/fruit and it does not get water to grow to it's full capacity. The result is mostly smaller maize cobs.

Finally, in the villages they have guys that hold or make rain fall. Never used them before but my neighbour has.

viktry:
Good afternoon everyone, please I intend to plant maize by the last week of July
I hope I'm not late or planting @the wrong time

Do not try it except you have irrigation system.

If not wait till September for dry season planting.

Why will they resist arrest? It is a crime to do so and force is the next action by the law enforcement agency.

Chiansky:
I'm having the same issue on my farm now, I started spraying today, I had to stop because of the time, I want to get this thing right because I want to sell fresh, I don't mind spraying once a month till I harvest, so I will be spraying around 6-7pm daily until we cover the whole farm, we are two sha so it will be fast, someone told me about hallakat today. Will try it out

Please spray with the intention of concluding that day. Armyworm is a funny pest, they can return to the maize already sprayed, spray directly into the maize. You can do same early in the morning.

You do not have to spray monthly, once you get it right the first time. I do not know about hallakat and never heard of it. You can also use neem - dogoyaro for those looking at organic farming.

Please always check the instructions and procedures on the pack before using any chemical that is what I do.

Available

Pistotita:
Is it every first week of May they go through such particular phase of their life cycle? Or how can one know?

I dread armyworms, but I know there are precautions for most known pests. And precaution is better than finding cure. In most cases, there is no remedy after the damage has gone far. The same way I dread whiteflies, fruitflies, aphids, thrips, and other tiny pests in vegetables. Anti viral insect nets just don't address them, except highly potent pesticides which they develop resistant easily to if the farmer is not careful, especially inside greenhouses. I have not seen any organic solution for those nasty tiny creatures. It is why organic farming emphasizes on wide planting spacing (but using such recommended spacing does not make greenhouse production profitable). So, there is a better technology to address them in covered or protected vegetable farming which is extremely better and more effective than the strongest pesticides man can ever make.

But this armyworms, I have not really looked into it well. Hopefully, someone will come up with a better solution.

Armyworm is a pest on maize that can affect profitability of the farm invaded. Armyworm was transport to Nigeria by overzealous farmers looking for more tonnage per hectare. This pest came from America and I know a few big farmers that caused this problem on us but I will not mention any names.

@OP the reason the chemicals did not work maybe the type of chemical and application. last dry season when I used the solo seed I used emacot or Caterpillar force but the secret is to spray very early in the morning or late in the evening. During the day the pest leave the maize so if you spray during this time you are just wasting money and time. Note spray early in the morning say 6 or 7 am and late in the night say 6ish.

Then when spraying direct the nose of the sprayer into the maize not around it or on it. Note INTO the maize stand where they hide.

Below is a picture of the dead pest after applying the pesticide

Also, about workers and their management. What I do is I create a sense of responsibility and belonging in my staffs. I allow their ideas and use such idea. It makes them happy and willing to put more effort and when I don't agree with them, I explain and we argue till we conclude.

I don't monitor money so much with my manager. I give him a chance to gain some... Note not to much maybe 500 or 1000 naira per task. I also give them profit sharing after sales. I give them clothes, old phones, I know their parents, family, we drink together after work anytime I sleep over, we joke like peers etc. So they are the once doing more to Impress me it is psychology and when the staffs do not do the job well, the manager and supervisor re-do the work sometimes before I get to the farm or when I complain.

Sorry for the grammar and mistakes, I am only a farmer and on the move. I will explain better when I am settled

numen:
Thank you Sir. Yes the question was directed at the OP, but I appreciate your prompt response and your experienced contribution.

@bolded is a very good experience worth passing on to others.

Thank you.

Thank you and happy birthday to you. The new year will bring great tidings to you and your family. Do have a splendid day.

Pistotita:
Looks like you are an emotional person. Well, my apologies. My brother/sister, it is all about improvement. Why will I want to rubbish your points and opinions? Of course, I don't do that.

You are not alone in experiencing people rubbing it (you rendering help and voicing out your opinions) at ones face. I get it like minimum of once a month. But this past week has been crazy. lol. From asking me to prove my case to demanding me that I must create time (not 1 person)...bla bla bla. So, if you feel offended, please forgive me.

Usually, I don't jump into threads, but when I see a well organised, brilliant, and intelligent person, I cannot resist rubbing minds with the fellow. But you gat some toughness in you. Really, you do, cos you still dished out the info cos you know what you are saying. However, I have proved my cases at times, dropped it, and accepted to look into my opponents'. And I have returned on some occasions to give feedback that my opponents' idea seems to outweigh mine.

If I believe you at your words without analysis, how can we improve? Don't get me wrong. Just like you, I feel I have no one to question my style since I am not feeding under anyone. But really, I check myself many times also.

Once again, do not feel too bad about the first person's comment, and mine. Not meant to attack you. Infact, you should ask your opponents what they saw, and why they chose the opposite of your believe. That's real discussion. You then may want to ask about their methodologies. I do it many times. From this, I might spot a new way of doing it better. May even not necessarily be that you will do fresh maize, but you might get tricks to improve dried maize production.

Lastly, anyone who holds information firmly cannot receive. This has been a secret that has been shooting me to higher places. As you release, much more come your way. Even people who hold back will sneak to your door and share privately. It pays more to share than to hold on to. Trust me. And the evidence is in social media, digital marketers have realised that free flow and sharing of information is real marketing. And when you share, be ready to receive punches on your face, it is you who will find a strategy of using everything (the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly) to your advantage.


Now, I hope you don't mind the comments of mine about your yield. I think it is low. See, a fresh maize farmer knows that grains on his cobs must be filled to get good deal. So, he does everything possible not to have scanty grains on the cobs. But for the farmer who sells dried, he cares about the total grains. Also, the more the cobs and grains, the more the yield. The standard population for maize is around 53,000 to 60,000 per ha. And pop corn variety is even higher. When you get into sweet corn farming, then, you understand me well. Just watch vegetables farmers who dive into sweet corn production. They are master if fresh maize production. Hope you get me. I think you should aim at minimum of 7 tons per hectare, and 10 to 13 tons is possible. As long as the seed has the potential, it can do it. The issue is that one must remove all hindrances and hurdles to make it possible. You may need to try another variety which might give more yield. I am not criticizing you. But if you are contented with 3 tons, then, who am I to convince or confuse you? My apologies if you find my comments offenssive. But I am sure OP gat it. And I am sure she will get to the secrets of getting high populstion. But she has even already shared it. lol.

It is all well. Have a nice day bro/sister.

I thank you for your response and You do not need all the apologies, we are in a discus and we are to share our view especially when it is on the job/ experience based. I only had a problem with the word SPECULATION.

Also, I am not speaking from one point of view. I have tried selling fresh maize at the farm gate, contracted women to roast and boil corn on some major roads etc.

What made me dive into dried maize.... I met an old woman in one of the villages I have my farms, all she does is to buy maize from farmer, dry and sell when the price is right. For an illiterate woman to do this for years and making a kill from it. I had to buy dry maize from her(I am also a livestock farmer and I also have a factory where I process corn flour) also paid her before she gave me the secret. But like you said we all have our opinion and I am also ready to learn but at least I can share my experience.

Also, about tonnage per hectare to be Frank except one is into mechanised farming achieving 7-10 ton even with the kind of seed is impossible. Also, there are a lot of risk limiting one from achieving same. For example I wrote earlier that antelopes invaded my farm that's a shortage even if I am to sell fresh and so on risk that farmers face. So to be realistic I am contented with what I make at the moment until I can move into mechanised farming. What I make covers for my capital and a lot more as profit.

Thanks

numen:
Today is my birthday and coincidentally I have access to 5 hectares of land very close to water sources that I want to plant maize and here I am stumbling onto this very informative thread of a crop I eagerly want to plant. Thank you OP and all contributors so far.

I intend to consume the knowledge that will flow from this thread.

@ifedola28
Pls what is your plant spacing for the 20 hectares you planted?

What is the name of the hybrid seed planted and it's expected yield per hectare.

Your application of pesticides is it proactive or reactive?

Did you spray herbicides before planting or after planting but before germination and why?

Thanks.

I shared a picture of the spacing below. I use labour but monitor closely. I am very sure it is not more than 1 -1.5mx2m

I use premier seed oba super 1. You can check the expected yield per hectare. From experience this hybrid resist army worm attack. This is an on the field experience. I used solo yellow maize last year dry season to complete the remaining portion of my farm. The solo was attack and I had to spray pesticides but the hybrid was also attacked but when rain started the army worm disappeared. Also, the hybrid is drought resistant.

I prepare my land well then plant. After a month or so I weed manually and once the maize is up they cover the weed and limit its growth. Then I apply selective herbicide a month to harvest. I always clear any Bush at least 3-4m away from my farm to avoid antelopes etc from invading. At the other side I constructed ropes so I get to take Bush meat home.

It is difficult to spray herbicide when the maize is young, it may affect it. That is way I wait for it to grow well. Also, very important maize and broad leaves weed are the same. Using herbicide that kills the formal may also kill the latter.

You can spray herbicide glyphosate before planting. It was reviewed that the danger is minimal. As seen in the picture below.

I think your question was directed at the op but I think I shared my experience.