₦airaland Forum

Hi Vo, September 2014, I decided to take a trip to the U.S, California to be precise. I was planning to begin my undergraduate studies in the U.S by Spring 2016. The trip was meant to explore California state and also her educational institutions to enable me make an informed decision against my Spring 2016 studies. So, I applied for a B1/B2 Visa, my interview was February 2015. I was denied the visa by a beautiful, small sized white lady at the Abuja Visa office. She said I haven't been able to adequately prove binding ties to my home country. I own a registered business here Nigeria. I am 28 years old and engaged to be married, I was 27 at the time and Single.
The issue now is that, I am ready to proceed to the U.S for my studies. I have applied to 4 Institutions ( 2 universities and 2 community colleges ). And so far, I've only received I-20 from one of the community colleges. VO, I want you to sincerely tell me the embassy's view of Visa applications from Nigerians aiming for community colleges. And which of the following options would you recommend for me: 1. Proceed with my Visa application with the I-20 issued by the community college. 2. Wait till any of the 4 year college issues me a I-20.[email][/email] I Am eagerly waiting for your responds please.

Agriculture/farming could be a very profitable investment, but the high yielding income doesn't come until you successfully overcome the various problems associated with crops production/ farming. These range from diseases to pests to soil factors and more. The best solution is to consult with a professional.

Our experienced professional Agricultural Scientists are on ground to offer you the following:

- Agricultural Extension Services using current principles and technologies. Activities includes; Land preparation, Soil testing, Farm operations planning & execution, Farm Expansion planning & execution, Weed control and more.

- Crops care & protection. Activities includes; pests Control ( Insects, Birds, mammals), Bacterial and Fungi disease control.

- Yield Improvements: Activities includes; Soil inoculation, Strategic Soil enrichment, Strategic Cropping, Improved strategic fertilization and more.

- Equipments: Tractors & components, boom sprayers and more.

- Crops Marketing and Sales: Agro products includes; Fresh maize, All sorts of Grains, cassava chips and other products and more.

Contact us on: +2348115185482 or 08131030440

Do you know it is wrong to judge a piece of farmland as dead or unproductive? have you had to relocate your farm to a faraway place because the soil of your farm seemingly did not enable good yield for your crops? The best decision might not be to relocate your farming operations.

Contact us today for professional advice and soil enrichment techniques. if farmers in the republic of Israel could produce the world's most healthy crops on a desert soil, then soil infertility is certainly not a problem.

call: 08131030440 or 08115185482

jethro2:
Can get you both. East west and syngenta

pls drop your phone number so I can call you or call me on 08131030440 so I can have your number. thank you.

Do you have Syngenta's Kilele F1 and Tylka F1? And Sweet Pepper: Admiral F1 and Commandant F1?

Good All. @Op, you are a tomatoes don. Can anybody link me with sellers of Recent varieties (2010 or newer) of tomatoes seeds? I need both determinate and indeterminate varieties. Its urgent:
I like the following breeders : Syngenta, East west seeds or any other type.
you can call me on; 08131030440

I read in the earlier part of this post where someone said its not possible to have a tomatoes variety that yields 100tons/ha. For your information, it is very possible. The varieties of Syngenta and East west seeds can yield 60 tons per acre, and 1hectare is = 2.5 acres. therefore total yield per ha is 150 tons.

Our experienced professionals Agricultural Scientists are on ground to offer you the following:

- Agricultural Extension Services using current principles and technologies. Activities includes; Land preparation, Farm operations planning & execution, Farm Expansion planning & execution, Weed control and more.

- Crops care & protection. Activities includes; pests Control ( Insects, Birds, mammals), Bacterial and Fungi disease control.

- Yield Improvements: Activities includes; Soil inoculation, Strategic Soil enrichment, Strategic Cropping, Improved strategic fertilization and more.

- Crops Marketing and Sales: Agro products includes; Fresh maize, All sorts of Grains, cassava chips and other products and more.

Contact us on: +2348115185482

Gheritage:
I love thus diary...Pls when can I plant my own also...knowing fully well today is 17th of July and August rain break will soon come or should I wait till next year like late March that u started ur own?

You may wait till after the August break.

Curiouscity:
Guy, I salute your resilience. You are the kind of person we need more on Agric section of this forum, not some fraudulent internet farmers.
Your marketing strategy is cool, though the workability depends on your farms location. Be aggressive in sourcing for markets, and you will smile home soon.

kudos!!

Thank you. I usually don't see location as stumbling block. With an effective logistics plan, the various challenges posed by location will not exist. As far as this Marketing structure is concerned, I will be responsible for movement of the products, All the buyers need to do is place order and products will be delivered. The rest of the plan is meant for interested persons only. The Supply chain is the heart of a successful business.

FarmTech:
pls does fertilizers come in 25kg bags? How much is the 15:15:15?

yes, they do. The retail price fluctuates between N5,500 and N6000 per 25kg bag.

amarawa:
I couldn't get animal dunes for our 10hectares maize. How much fertilizer bags are required per hectare? And what type?

You need 4bags of NPK ( 15:15:15) per ha. 25 kg per bag.

mercylicious:
Onitsha to agbor is 1hr 30mins on public transport. That emuhu MKT ( pronounced emu) is abt 1hr from Onitsha. They stopped b4 d car navigated to agbor town.

I saw d woman DT I previously told you sells corn all through d year . she was heading to Benin and I believe she was also going to buy corn. I will give her ur contact later in the day.

Thanks a lot Mercy. Am very grateful for your helpful tips. Can I have your phone number? we need to talk.
and @ stagger, I need your phone number too, we need to talk also.

mercylicious:
@ solxam and joive, will d altrazine also kill plantains? Ive already bought it. I plan to mix it with forceup for my plantains as the weeds have outgrown my plantain.

@joive, how is your maize farm? I tot you would have delighted us with updated pics.
I spoke with the stock exchange maize woman I told you abt, she asked if I could trust you, after much talk, she requested for your no . so bad I didn't go out that evening with my phone that has your no as it was evening. I will see her again. She asked for same day harvested corn. She asked if you needed someone to help you sell.
When she calls, tell her exactly what you want and discus how she will get the same day harvested corn.

That woman is a champion this side as ppl drive extra distance to get her corn. Ppl be truthful to her and don't disappoint.

Thanks alot mercy. The whole operation has become more challenging. I've been documenting every detail ( observations, surprises and more), I've also taken a lot of picture which I'll post very soon.
Since June, when the maize began to tazzle ( flower). A totally different challenges has began after I successfully dealt with my previous challenges. some of these new challenges are scary/threatening and has the capacity to jeopardize this project. They require extreme treatment.
1. Aphids attacked my maize en-mass: These heartless, stupid and wicked flies lay worms on the tazzle of many Maize plants and the worms in-turn bore and eats into the main stem/stalk of the maize, they continue to dwell there until the maize dies off. The tazzle normally die-off within 2 days after worms bore into the maize.
What's in for the Aphids?: These heartless-stupid flies sucks the Alcoholic and sugar-rich liquid content deposited by the worms ( generally classified as stem borers). Being an Agricultural pest is destructive enough, much less an Alcoholic pest. I wouldn't expect a better behavior from an Alcoholic pest. The Aphids continues to lay worms in as much maize stalk as they can far more than they can feed on.

MY Responds: I contacted sygenta and place a special order for After a, a systemic insecticide. You've got two major types of Insecticides: 1 Contact: This will only kill pests if it touches them. it cannot kill pest that has already found their way into the internal parts of the crop. 2. Systemic insecticide: This type of insecticides get absorbed by the plant and remain there in a very low quantity sufficient to kill pests attacking it from within or outside it.
I Applied Actera and after 2 days the worms were all dead and dead Aphids littered the some leaves.

2. Monkeys Attacked ( Even when the maize was yet to produce silk), they'll break the stalk and chew it.

MY Responds: I contacted some local hunters to watch the farm in the morning and Evenings. 3 days into the watch, the shot 3 big red monkeys ( 3rd week of June) and then no Monkey has crossed my farm again. Well, I'll keep watching out for them.

Am also working on marketing/ Sales. I've done a little survey on pricing and i must say, it's interesting. I met with roadside maize sellers and told them I have a supply source for them. they were very interested, here in Edo State wholesale prices range from N10 to N20 depending on the size of the cob, Retail is N30 to N50. They usually demand for a sample. My plan is to have sales reps across the country who are able to organize and maintain a trustworthy business relationship with them, I recommend not less than 50 costumers who are able to buy atleast 1 bag of maize (120 cobs) every 5 days. Sales reps will earn 10% of total sales accrue from his/her customers not later than 10 days after payment is received. Marketing Firms are also welcome. Independent/standalone sales reps can constitute a field marketing team in need be. All what our sales reps are required to do is: - Capture contact details of maize buyers, offer them our contact card ( which will have your contact number) and ensure they call you when ever they need supplies ( Maize). Of course, you should not wait for their calls, call them instead. You should be proactive. We will shoulder certain responsibilities and this will be made known to interested persons only. If you are interested call me on: 08131030440 or send me a Message right here on nairaland.

Projections
If a sales rep is able to maintain 50 costumer, he'll earn as follows:
Assuming we are selling a Cob for N20
1 bag (120 cobs) - 120 x N20 = N2400
Assuming all your 50 Costumers are able to place order every 5 days
N2400 X 50 - N120, 000 ( total sales in 5 days), Your entitlement is 10% of N120,000 = N12000.
therefore, total sales for 1 month ( for months with 30 days) = 30/5= 6 ( Minimum orders per month).
Total Sales per Month = 6 x N120,000 = N720, 000. Your entitlement is 10% = N72,000 per month.

---- This is Just a summary, I'll post picture next time -----

Thank you all.

anienge001:
Good farm journal!! Explicit with lots of practical lessons.

@Joive, check the bold statement. Is this quantity for the 10hectares or per hectare? Going by your planting distance, it should be 53333 cobs/ha assuming every stand produces a marketable cob.

Thank you so much. That quantity of cobs is for 10 ha not 1ha. I have 26600 spots, 2 maize stands per spot = 53,200 per ha. Actually, I meant to say 532,000 cobs for the whole farm.

Thanks for the correction.

@Poster, oga which is the weed and which is the corn?

stagger:
I have not done a study but I can gauge the demand as follows. If you go to 1st avenue in Gwarinpa, there are several people selling corn in front of that market there, opposite Diamond bank. Go to Galadima junction, and you will see boiled corn; at least 3-4 women daily. It is from these people I got the price of a bag of corn. They almost always sell the product out daily. Sometimes you have to stay on queue for roasted corn in some places. The demand for fresh maize is very high.

The job for you is how to convert the high consumption into money in your pocket via distribution. Maybe you may need to get one or two bulk buyers. Perhaps you can talk to sellers to buy from your farm directly. I think that once your corn is of very high quality (big with good seed formation) which sets it apart from the rest, very soon your fame will spread.

So is there demand? Yes there is. But try to ensure that you can CORNER THE MARKET for your product.

Thank you so much!

Curiouscity:
Though I am still testing the waters, one thing you can do next time if you continue with maize is plant one (or 2) hectare(s) per week if you intend to sell fresh corn. That way, one hectare matures in a week and you concentrate on marketing one or two hectare(s).

BTW, I like your diary !!

Thank you so much for this smart suggestion. I will definitely put it into practice when next I plant.

AreaFada2:
@Poster,

Watch out for grasscutter in your area. They ruined a family member's hectares of maize last year. He switched to plantain this year.

Good account/diary.

Thank you so much. Am prepared to deal with them.

@Stagger, How would you rate the demand for fresh maize across Nigeria? High, Moderate, Moderately-Low or Low and how many persons out of 10 do you think will eat maize whenever the opportunity arises. I really need to hear from people and the general public on this. Judging by the fact that Fresh maize is mostly consumed boiled or roasted ( it is usually not processed into something else). Ironically, though a maize farmer, I don't consume maize that much. I eat 1 cob per week. So, am thinking " Who's gonna eat all these maize if I decide to sell them fresh?" ( about 532,000 cobs obtainable per ha).

@mercylicious, I understand you know a lot about Anambra.
1. How would you rate Anambra' maize market?
2. Judging by the level of demand, Would you say: Anambra' market is for Fresh maize or Dried maize?
3. Are there signs of Unity/ Organization of fresh maize buyers in Anambra?
4. Have you recognized some sort of fresh maize dealers who buy in bulk and distribute/sell in less quantity (bags) to Retailers ( processed fresh maize sellers)?
5. Is there a local Igbo delicacy derivable from fresh maize or dried maize?

I intend to Tour the following places in order to assess their fresh maize markets: Abuja, Niger State, Anambra, Ogun and Lagos. your input will be helpful.
Thanks

mercylicious:
Nice one.
Am really impressed with how u cleared ur vegetation.
I will try ur method next time. The herbs in my location are very wicked. They sprout immediately rain falls on the ground if u clear with manual labour. They will respect u a little if u use herbicides buy not more than 3months.

U didn't tell us how u tilled ur land cos it looks ploughed .
Can those herbicides be used in a vegetable farm like cucumber?

The land was already tractorized in 2007 and has not be cultivated ever since. When planting, we used hoes to till the soil ( planting spots), not cutlasses.

Yes, they are normal herbicides. one is Glyphosate ( but in more concentrated form ) while the other is Altrazine. However, I advise you to treat and wait for the recommended window period of 14 days before planting. Most Agric Extension Agents from Government agencies will tell you to plant before treatment, don't try it because Altrazine which treats pre-emergence is very good at killing seeds and your crop's will not be spared.

stagger:
OP,

nice diary you are putting up here. I have some question though.

1) Did you eventually use the tractors? You never stated.
2) From your experience, when do you recommend the use of poultry droppings? Is it while preparing the land or immediately after sprouting?
3) It is obvious the seeds were not treated. Is it therefore advisable to treat the seeds once again even after assurances from the seed source?
4) Do you intend to keep this project rain-fed or are you planning on using irrigation?

Keep the posts and pictures coming.

1. No, I did not. I only treated the area for pre and post emergence weed control.
2. Since poultry dropping is made up of complex Nitrites which usually takes time to be broken-down in
the soil for release of the much needed soil Nitrogen. it is best done during land prep or shortly after sprouting. Chemical fertilizers shouldn't be used this early because it will leech away.
3. Yes. I advise farmers to treat their seeds before planting even if the source has confirmed that it was treated before.
4. The rains has started properly. so, I intend to rely solely on rainfall as far as this project is concerned.

stagger:
A bag of about 120 fresh maize cobs currently sells for between N3,500 and N4,000 in the FCT. Would it be advantageous to sell fresh maize as opposed to those looking for breweries and feed mills to sell at N70,000 per ton.

The problem we've had with selling fresh maize is lack of Bulk buyers. From a little research I did, it is far more profitable to sell fresh maize. As for me, if I get an offer of bulk purchase ( even if its a pickup truck load), I'll sell fresh ( after all, I planted sweet corn not field corn). The fear most maize farmers have is not finding buyers for their fresh maize on time. if the market is available, Selling fresh is the best.

drake2:
Am surprised your maize responded to poultry manure in 4days. That was pretty fast; how long will the post emergence effect of the spray last on the weeds? Do you anticipate any physical weeding before harvest?

Your land prep. was really effective and impressive, but we are not allowed to use inorganic inputs in our farms. Land prep. and manual weeding are always huge challenges.

We cultivate wide array of medicinal plants organically. And "Zobo" (H.sabdariffa) has been giving us problem (pests-leaf hoppers); have you got any organic (sprays) solutions?

The post emergence of the weeds will last for 5 - 6 months before you see noticeable population of weeds. Am not expecting to weed before harvest because my maize is an early maturing variety of 70 days ( According to the source), but I'll looking at 90 days maturity.

About Organic sprays, I really don't have a brand to recommend. But you can prep a simple one yourself.

1. Locate a couple of Glyricydia trees ( most people use them for staking yams). peel the bark and pound to a paste.
2. Add a measure of vegetable oil ( not red oil) to the paste. And press the solution ( filter the liquid part from the paste) and store it. thats your insecticide.
3. Store sufficient quantity of wood ash.
3. When you are ready to use: fill a 16L knapsack spray pump and Add 2 milk cups of wood ash + 1 milk cup of your insecticide solution. Then, Spray your crops.

shinaboy:
What is the expected selling price per ton of maize.?

A ton of dried Maize sold for N50,000 ( Nov/Dec 2014, exchange rate was around N150), N60,000 - N65,000 (Jan - Feb 2015, exchange rate was N187). Major consumers of maize, namely; Animal Feed mills, breweries and Flour mills has been importing maize from the USA to meet their needs because of inadequate local production. They pay the Naira equivalent of $350. As at today, the exchange rate is $200 to 1 dollar. so, they buy at N70,000 per ton. They also buy locally produced maize at the same price ( in fact, they try to beat the price down). However, if you are current with price trends, you will bargain wisely. So, the current price of maize is N70,000 per ton.

Hello House, My name is Mr James. Am mainly based in Lagos and Edo State. My Areas of Activity: Crops Production, Marketing and Supplies. Main Crops: Maize, Soybeans, Cassava and Beans. Upcoming: Rice
Contact me on: 08115185182

@adeekiti, You can reach me on my phone number: 08115185182 ( No night calls pls)

MAIZE FARMING IN NIGERIA ( 2015 SEASON) - MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

Farm Location : Uromi, Edo State ( South South Nigeria).
Farm Size: 10 hectares ( 25 Acres).
Budget: N300, 000
Variety: IAR&T' Tropical Zea Planter ( Baga).
Variant: Color: White.

By Jan 2015, the land area was chosen, so much needs to be put in place, the exact location of the farm was more than 45 mins drive from the city centre. At this point, the seeds for planting has not been sourced ( I was initially considering IFe maize 3 or 4 or the newly released 5 & 6) . Here is how its been so far:

WHAT I BORE IN MIND
NImet' 2015 weather and rainfall forecast predicting a later than normal rainfall in the area.

LAND PREP
Feb 2015
The land was formally a Government assisted communal farm. Those in charge told me the last time it was cultivated is 2007. So, I skipped the soil test with the hope that any possible deficiency will be fixed when I apply fertilizers.

March 13 2015, there still was no single drop of rain in the area. This same day, those in charge finally allocated my portion of land to me after paying my dues ( Approximately N65,000 for a 2 year lease).

NATURE OF LAND: Grassland with a number of trees and broad leaves. The Land was sparsely populated on one side and was a little thick with trees on the other side.

CHALLENGE 1: I planned to till and harrow with tractor. however, such was not readily available in the area. I was directed to a nearby university in order to hire, the price was very high ( N50,000 per day and am required to buy diesel ). secondly, their 2 tractors were not operational at the time I made my request.

CHALLENGE 2: Due to the trees and shrubs in the farming area, the tractor hiring unit required me to de-stomp the area. This process is slow and costly.

MY DECISION:
I contacted Biostadt, Lagos for Syngenta' Touchdown ( A more concentrated Glyphosate/systemic herbicide) and I bought some cartons sufficient for 10 hectares. I went to a reliable Chemical store, I bought a reliable brand of Altrazine. I mixed as recommended. This I expect will treat Both pre-emergence and post-emergence. I brought hired labor and they sprayed the whole area with Knapsack spray pumps. I had to wait until the Fifteenth day before planting. I also had to pray for rain to fall with 7 days, else the Altrazine will not work. As it happened, there was a heavy down pour on the 6th day after spraying ( this was the first rain we had). When I arrived at my farm land 15 days after spraying, everything was dead except the trees. The soil was visible and smooth. I did not brush/slash nor till. All I did was spray. The only little challenge posed was the cutting off of dead stems of broad-leaved weeds. After which am ready to plant.

SOURCING FOR PLANTING SEEDS
All efforts made to get Ife maize directly from IAR&T failed. So, I contacted local ADP office and the Commercial sales manager recommended Tropical zae planter Baga. I took samples, did a planting test and it was More than 90%. I bought 250 KG for 10 ha.

PLANTING
Layout: 75cm x 50cm, 2 seeds per spot.
MARCH ( 4TH WEEK): There is still no sufficient rainfall, everywhere was dry and hot. But we had to plant. I brought a bunch of hired laborers, I told them they must plant in rows, they argued and said that's not how they do it in their village. Well, I dropped them off and got other persons ( it took me 10 days to put a planting team together ). I expected the planting stage to be easier, but it was the toughest and most expensive. A team of 4 persons was only able to plant half a hectare per day and I had 2 teams. Well after 10 days, the planting was over, I was happy and for the first time since I embarked on this project, I had a chilled pack of fruit juice and slept well, to return to my farm after 4 days to see the beautiful young sprouts of maize.

CHALLENGES UPON CHALLENGES
1. When I got to my farm, I was so much In a hurry to see the young sprouts. I realized only a few of them had Germinated. I was so uncomfortable, I tilled a spot with a slim cutlass. what I saw shook me; a small yellow milipaed was wrapped around the 2 seeds planted and has completely eaten the seeds. I tilled up to 20 spots, in some I saw termites, ants and millipaeds. The ADP manager earlier told me the seeds were treated against insects, I called him up. He said he was not sure it is treated.

2. Those that have Germinated ( less than 60%) were being destroyed by Laeva worms, spotted hoppers. it was a terrible sight to behold. My fine young maize had holes all over it and were being cut-down by worms.

3. Then the worse happened: These ants, termites and hoppers drew the attention of birds which came in droves, weeded/uprooted my crops from the soil and ate both the ants and seeds. I cried!

DEFYING AND OVERCOMING
Of the area planted so far, only 20 percent survived. I had to replant, but not until I was ready to eliminate my enemies ( the enemies of progress).
1. Defense 1: I bought Syngenta' Karat, mixed as recommended and sprayed the surviving crops. The heartless insects all died ( some on top of the crop while taking a bite). within 3 days, their vegetation improved. My Maize now looks like it.
2. I used a little bit diluted Karat to coat the second batch of maize seeds I bought before planting them. 4 days after planting, they all germinated and with fresh leaves. Good riddance to Insects.

GBOSA! ANOTHER CHALLENGE: Oh my God. Just when I thought I can rest my body and mind, I realized something was terribly wrong. its been 2 weeks since we planted, the crops seems to be slow with growth. Also, some areas ( especially where the trees formally were) experienced good crops growth. The conclusion is that the soil though well drain, its not fertile.

I can't use chemical fertilizer at this early stage and if I leave my crops this way, they'll suffer from Chronic nutrients deficiency and they will give me low yield. So, I mobilized 120 bags ( 100kg each) of poultry droppings. it was applied in a ring style around each spot containing 2 stands of growing maize. Within 4 days ( After rainfall), the maize doubled their size, leaves became greener. In 10, they tripled their sizes.

EXPECTATIONS
Yield: 1 neatly filled ear per plant stand , 6 tons per ha ( dried grains).

FINANCES
Budget ( Adjustment): N350, 000 spent so far

MARKETING/ SALES:
Target Market: 1. Fresh maize buyers. 2 Dried grains Buyers.

I promise to provide update as soon as I can.

Personal experience of Mr James
Published by Mr James.

What do you think? do you have an advise or suggestion? Though I have a sales channel, I need more. You can contact me.

You may check www.educhirve.com they have nice project materials.

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