₦airaland Forum

Okay... so... NUMBER SEVEN and the final one is AGRONOMY. This is the best and the last. Agronomy can shortly be defined as the technology used in food production and processing and soil science. I can't start teaching my style or my own technology because that one na very very long and intensive.

But your location and your capital decides the Agronomy practise.

Didn't go to farm today so class starts early

Still not better than keshi

His time will come, and I trust the lad to grab it with both hands and feet

jethro2:
I have been following with keen interest and planning to incorporate a lot into my next farming. Its indeed one of the best i ever got from nairaland. Great work.

Oga jethro, thanks so much.

ghost1718:
this one na If i mess, i go stand up talk say i mess

Lol

eddyspice:
@op yes I do grow cucumbers too. You farm has thought some new things I never knew.am happy I came across this thread. I would love to ask: How do I get the mulching film as well as the seeds.I live in Delta state.how do I contact you?

Okay sir, I'll soon drop the list of companies that have the best seed (at least to the best of my knowledge) as for the mulching films. You can improvise to black tarpaulin or black nylon sheets.

idumuose:
How much will it cost to start a 1Hectare of cucumber excluding the cost of sinking a borehole since the cost is determined by your location?

The cost depends on the agronomy you want to employ, and the cost of labour in the area you set up your farm. The cheapest cost will be about, 300k while to get a farm like mine will cost nothing less than 500k. But either way, you'll make 800k-1million profit in 2 months. That's if you have available market to sell 1 hectare worth of cucumber. Cause the harvest is unimaginable. I'll soon post a cost analysis for farming 1 hectare of cucumber

deeptechcool:
The agric section on nairaland is the most inspiring, courtesy people like the OP. I ve learnt a lot from this section and my steady flow of income s inspired here. @ op, many w appreciate ur effort, some w downcast you but I want you to knw that ur efforts shall neva be in vain. Keep the good work going....Nigeria must be better.

Thanks sir. Am encouraged

Heanry:
Hello jasper. I like your zeal. I stay in Enugu. How can I reach you at you farm in owerri this weekend. My number is 08037399865.

That will be fantastic. I'll give you a call 2moro. Although we'll keep the visit for next week because I'll be travelling 2moro evening.

rareman:
More reason why I need to get to closer, there are a lot to learn from you sir. Infact I left the place for now had move to poultry in the meantime. Though planning for year season

It's good to have more than 1 source of agricultural income. And your chicken droppings na sure manure for your cucumber.

1stUnique:
I gat that. is that how the film will b till harvesting time?

Yes o, quality film can last for 6months to a year

Back to class. NUMBER SIX is WEED. and am not talking of marijuana here (cis some pple can ask silly questions ). Weed is dangerous to the crop at a young age. Cos it competes with the young cucumber cucumber for nutrients. And the cost of weeding in Nigeria is high (as we have already handled that in labour). So I choose to use mulching films, which prevents the growth of weed. Although the mulching film serves other purposes, my favourite is it's weed control. You don't know what mulching film looks like? Here it is

1stUnique:
dancing shoki and skelewu together. waiting for the suprise

Oga you flatter me.

rareman:
Am forced to comment at this juncture, I have been following this threaD since yesterday as if my life depended on it. I don't even know weather to start crying or weep for myself. Sure farm work requires patient and due diligence, its not a get rich quick avenue but sure gives riches if you know your game.
Earlier this year I did 3 hectares of cucumber but couldn't make much due to glut then. But with your system here am gearing up for a rematch.
Thank you very much. If I have a way of reaching you I won't mind spending my christmas holiday with you. Am from anambra though base in lagos my farm is sited at ogun state. Chukwuduifeanyi@gmail.com that's my email I don't know how best to reach you as I couldn't access your contact. Thanks for the VALUE you are sharing!

Hmmm 3 hectares? That's alot of land in cucumber farming o. You have a war chest with you o. Am talking endless possibilities of financial income

curiousmind11:
@jasper7, U are a rare gem. An example to many lazy youths waiting for hand-outs from politicians.
This is really inspiring. Your description of the labor mentality among Nigerian youths is very accurate, hilarious, and worrisome at the time.
Finally, this type of open source information is what keeps the developed countries ahead of us. Keep it up!! But note any "hungry" internet farmer copying this useful info and selling as e-books. No one should buy any ebook on cucumber after this class ooooooo!!

I am very much flattered sir, I was inspired by someone. So, it's my moral duty to inspire others. And I understand that I can't do so much without the help of other young people. My success in life, lies inside the success of others.

Okay, am back. Night class will start soon. And I have a surprise for you guys and gals tonight

Let me just point this out. There's is no shortcut to success. You have to work hard, take risks and raise your game in order to succeed. Am saying this because I received a mail and the guy seems too desperate to make quick millions. I have to say it doesn't work like that. Any experienced farmer will tell you that.

Just left my farm now. Will soon hit the road home. Will update with the last 2 factors as soon as I get home

Denn:
Real drip and not the hole-in-hose stuff will actually concentrate fluids to the roots.... But I think your model works.

However, you mentioned bitter cucumber as a symptom of low irrigation.... You can also look into it too...

Won't mind signing up into your class... I am a learner


***modified.
Since you have the drip... Do a small project and compare results...

I'll do that sir. We are all here to learn. I'll love to feed off the wide imaginations of others. And believe me when I say I have learnt alot since I opened this thread. That's why I am encouraging more farmers to get involved with the thread. Now, I think by marshaling this thing out, we'll both take something home.
The problem with drip is this. Cucumber roots dey go far, infact we are encouraged to use furrow irrigation at the vegetative and fruiting stage. Because the roots have grown far beyond the bed and into the furrow. Now, drip doesn't reach the furrow, but sprinkler touches everywhere. Drip is highlt recommended at the early tender stage, when the roots are still within the bed

Denn:
Yes bros.

The issue of irrigation with your mulch on.

How do you do it? You mentioned sprinkler but I think the mulch will prevent maximum penetration. Drip might be better

I won't lie o. Haven't used drip before. Not because it's not good, but because I haven't seen the need to. Sprinkler does the job fine for me. Even whith the mulching, it just rains down and waters the crops. I have over 10km of drip tapes that are perforated in the right measurement as the holes on my covered bed. But I haven't seen any need to install them.

1stUnique:
I haven't sight Oga Jethro2 in this thread.. Abeg who help me see that bro?

He has been here a couple of times. Bros comment na. Encourage your boys

Denn:
Been following your posts.

Was about asking you on how you irrigate.

Can you please shed more light on this?

What methods do you employ.

In addition, I can notice mulching... More on these please

Bros, I just handled mulching in my past post. And the use of mulching film. Hope you find it useful? any other thing you need me to straighten out? Thanks.

fm7070:
@Jasper7
You're doing a wonderfully well for yourself and great inspiration to Nigerian youth who loves farming.
I have been following this thread with super-keen interest. But I have the following questions
1. In the pictures you posted, there are some black polythene at the ridges, what are they for?
2. At what point do I transplant the cucumber nursery and what are the precautions to be taken?
3. How do I get the THAI cucumber seed, How much does it cost?
4. Where are you based? I am based in Lagos but may need to come and learn from the master.

Okay let me answer your questions first
1. Yes, good observation. Now, alot of farmers fight with weed and cost of weeding is very high. So... the polythene is used as a form of mulching film. This is common practise in developed countries. It makes the plant grow faster and healthier. Because at the early stage, the plant does not have to contend with weed. It is an integral part of my land preparation before planting. Cause it saves cost of weeding and stress. Below you'll see a typical example of my mulching.

2. It is not compulsory to plant in nursery trays. But if you want, its usually after the third leaf appears. You can plant directly, to avoid the stress. There is no direct disadvantage in doing so. Except you have a hard soil.

3. The seed are of different species, they have been genetically enhanced/engineered to serve different purpose. Depends on what you need, determines the price of the seed. I have the Thai Agro group here who sell seeds. The seeds cost about 3-4 Naira per one approximately. They cheapest pack is N200. With about 65 seeds inside. But for intending farmers who join their farm network, they give free seeds for test/exhibition farm.

4. I am currently in owerri where my major farms are based. But spend quite sometime in Lagos. Maybe when next I visit lagos I'll give you a one on one turorial.

Class continues soon. If you are not following, you are on a long thing.

Thebfarm in the first harvest picture produces 100k per harvest. And dey sell cheap, N100 per kg. (Me, I sell N150) The fair woman in that picture is the Director of Thai Agro and Allied. That woman dey inspire me.

eddyspice:
@jasper7 thanks for the job u have been doing informing everyone. I am into cucumber farming as well. I would like to know how to get the Thia seeds. The ones I do use are disease prone and growth are sometimes stunted.

Really? You are into cucumber farming? What seeds do you use at the moment? The thai seeds are quite expensive but they are very very good. Perfect for Nigerian weather and big size. Below are some pics of it's product from different farms

stint:
thanks pls try and post the pics. so you transplant to the open field after how long? do u put manure in the tray? I really want to know all I can about this thing. I need a steady source of income plantain just tie my money for ground till like 10months.

Sorry, couldn't find empty trays at home. But these are types of the seedling trays. Bought them from the Thai representatives in Nigeria. Cost about N200 each back then

We can complain all we want about boko haram. But these little killings going on within the country account to more death rate than any bombing

The OX anyday anytime. But sterling has really improved o. Sentiments aside, sterling is better at the moment

1stUnique:
nice one world1. following the thread with keen interest...


We are now having front page materials in our Agriculture thread this days..

I sight u o jasper7.. greeting to u sir

Oga boss sir. We trying our best. Way go soon come out