₦airaland Forum

Few days ago, I visited my experimental farm to perform three operations.
1. clearing weed
2. Tilling and hipping sand round the growing suckers
3. Application of fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15)
4. priming the Orange tree

Labour is scarce in the community we have our experimental farm so we imported 3 workers from Ibadan to perform 4 operations above. it took them 2days to execute the job and it cost me 17k including feeding the workers and fueling kenfarm conveying space bus. You may spend lesser if labour is readily available in your farm location.

WEEDING OF THE FARM
Exertly 4weeks after planting the suckers, we visited the farm for weeding. In my last weeding is combine two methods (remember is an experimental farm to keep kenfarm followers abrase of best agronomic practice for)

First method is using of Herbicide (name withheld)
second method is using of hand weeding

Herbicide method:
We used a sprayer containing 16liters of water mix with 3cock-cup full of the herbicide to spray the weed professionally ensuring that the herbicide do not come in contact with the growing suckers. If you are not a professional, do not try this method. If you are not careful, you may kill the whole of your growing suckers with the herbicide. We used contact herbicide. Do not use systemic herbicide on your farm planted with your crops. Reason for this is systemic herbicide kill to the root. Emerging you accidentally spraying 40% of your crop. It simply means you just damaged your work yourself.

we used herbicide on 50% of the farm land. On return after 4weeks the area of land we applied herbicide was so clean and free of weed. The suckers look healthier due to lack of competition with weed.

Hand weeding method:
The labourers used hoe and cutlass to root out the weed 50% of the farm. Though it spear tedious and time consuming. But at the end 4weeks, the weed in this area has over grown the suckers. The growing suckers here was competing for sunlight and nutrient.

So on my visit to the farm today (being 4weeks after first weeding) I realised that the use of herbicide to control weed is more Economical, time saving and weed grow very slow. Preventing the crop from competing for Sunlight and Nutrient with weed for at least 1month.

So if you were in my shoes, which method will you adopt henceforth
Today, (I.e, after 4weeks) I decided to apply my herbicide (name withheld) on the 50% area of land that was Hand weed in the las weeding.


Thus, kenfarm wish to advise our esteem client and followers to use application of herbicide to control weed. However, if the crop are tender, pls spraying should be done by a professional (like kenfarm) and contact herbicide should be used. Otherwise, the use of herbicide on a farm with tender crop can be caters trophic. Where a professional sprayer is not available, use hand weeding.

Nevertheless, we tutor/guide client who purchase our sucker on how to spray herbicide on your farm with tender crop.

. . . . . . stay clued to this post as I keep you posted for details on the 3 other operations.

The picture attached is an picture evidence of area of the farm sprayed with herbicide and area hand weed. Am sure you can see 7UP motor(d diff is clear)

machineprice:
we are cassava process machines manufacturer. machines for sale. interest contact on whatsapp:+8618539931566

Good day, can you send me the cost analysis of all the machine I will be needing if am gona go into garri processing. Send it to my email kenfarm2020@gmail.com
Regards

murshid09:
thank u boss directly u re telling me to go for tme.how many bundle will i need to plan 2000 heaps i.e igba mewa.tractor can not work in my place cos of trees so i decided manual ridging
secondly how much is a bundle of tme 419 cassava stem? ur location and lastly how many tonnes of casava are in pick up load?thanks

Good day, you can send me a mail via:

kenfarm2020@gmail.com

and drop in all your enquiry or chat me via my MTN WhatsApp line on my post
Regards

METHODS OF APPLYING FERTILIZER

Deep Soil Application

Organic manures are sometimes placed on the surface of soil and incorporated into the soil with a plough or rototiller before planting. Fertilizer can also be applied in bands at the bottom of plough furrows or broadcast or spread on top of ploughed soil that is then worked into the soil with a harrow before planting.

Broadcasting

You can use a walk-behind drop spreader or hand-held spreader with a crank to scatter granular or bulk fertilizer on the ground. This method, called broadcasting, is good for flowerbeds, lawns, trees and vegetable gardens. Fertilizer may be broadcast on of the ground before planting and then tilled or watered into the soil. If it is broadcast on growing plants and watered into the soil, it is called topdressing.

Banding

To fertilize a row of flowers or vegetables or to get plants started, place the fertilizer 2 inches to the side and 2 inches deeper than the seed furrow. This is called banding. When you irrigate with furrows, place the band of fertilizer between the irrigation furrow and the seed furrow. Place bands of fertilizer on each side of the furrow. When you irrigate with a drip hose, place the fertilizer under the emitter. You can also place the fertilizer on one side of a seedling or on one side of a plant mid-way through its growing period. This is called side dressing.

Liquid Application

Water-soluble fertilizer can be applied with spray cans or applied with sprinklers or furrow irrigation. Small amounts of liquid fertilizer applied to young vegetable plants at the time of transplanting is called a starter solution. Some plants require micronutrients such as zinc and iron that they cannot get through the soil, but their leaves can absorb them. Water-soluble fertilizer is usually sprayed on leaves when they first show signs of nutrient deficiency and in periods of drought when the soil is to dry to absorb the nutrients. There are drawbacks. If you use a solution that is too strong you might burn or scorch the leaves. You can only apply a small amount of nutrients in a single spray. This method is costly unless you combine the fertilizer with pesticides to control insects or disease.

[quote author=murshid09 post=57741857][/quote]Your target customer or end consumers should determine which variety to plant....if you plant TME variety and the likes, you will be able to sell your cassava to either industries or garri processor. But if you plant Vitamin A variety, then often time you will be able to sell it to garri processor only

costeve:
How many npk 15.15.15 can be used on one hectare of cassava?

A 50kg bag should do. Though the Qty you apply should depend on the outcome of your soil analysis.

I apply a 50kg bag to my plantation few days ago. the Qty apply was base on the outcome of my soil analysis
cheers!!

Hey doctor, how do I reach you, am starting plantain plantation in Enugu next week

contact the number on my signature......hybrid suckers available

karlxavier:
I want to ask, are their factories that processes cassava into Garri for individuals for a fee? Just asking

yes there are....one is around my area in Ibadan, Ojoo

jakesbaba:
How do you do your weeding?

we use either manual labour (hand weeding) or application of herbicide precisely contact herbicide and not systemic herbicide. Which ever method we use is determined by :
1. size of the farm
2. Availability of labour
3. Age of the crop
4. Choice of the farm owner and more...

So feel free to hire or consult kenfarm via the number on my signature

Greetings from kenfarm!!!! we wish to congratulate our esteem customers who has taken the right decision by buying our viable stems. Bumper harvest is sure IJN..... for those still browsing google to look for a reliable TME419 cassava stem supplier, browse no further. contact kenfarm via the Number on my signature and place your oder today!!!!

we can supply you as many bundle as you need for your farm


.......together we can feed our Nation and Africa

STEP 3

It our pleasure to inform you of our return....we apologize for not updating this post for some weeks now. It due to Virus attack on kenfarm database.

Nevertheless, the experimental farm was not tilled on May 10 (consult our eBook on more info on tilling), after which holes of 30cm deep where dogged with a 2m by 2m spacing withing roles and between roles. After digging the hole to specification, planting of the suckers commenced. Planting is completed and we were able to plant 800+ suckers on one acre.

We must inform you that practically speaking, what you read online or hear about plantain cultivation may not be apply able to your farm due to Environmental factors or Geographical factors. These factor pose what kenfarm call "on the farm challenge" …... I will give example of these "on the farm challenge we encountered during our farm establishment:

1. It is said that with a 2m by 2m spacing, expected sucker per acre is 900. But we were able to plant 820. Meaning the farm measurement is not standard or error on the part of the planters.

2. Very few of the suckers was shot making it impossible to plant them on a hole of 30cm deep. In such case, the hole to plant the shot sucker was filled with top soil before I setting and burying the short sucker.

Just to mention a few..........

The picture attached is a picture displaying how healthy the suckers planted on our experimental farm look. It a product of our old plantation.

stay glued to this post for update on managing the farm after planting.

the reason y they are all smiling is what am trying to figure out

Plantain is known to grow only in regions with tropical climate. So, if you want to start your own plantain farm, you must make sure you acquire suitable land with the right soil composition for your plantain farm. On the average, you might need at least 2 hectares of land if you want to go into commercial plantain farming.

Once you have been able to secure a farm land, the next thing that you should do is to prepare the land. In preparing your land for your plantain farm you might have to adjust the PH value of your farm land if it is not suitable. Also in preparing your land for plantain farming, your laborers would have to dig holes all over the land where the suckers (plantain seeds) will be planted.

Source for suckers (plantain seeds)
One key factor that can affect your plans to start your own plantain farm is how to source for suckers (plantain seeds) in large quantities. One good thing about plantain farming is that once you are able to get started, the farm can be sustained for over 3 decades without sourcing for new suckers (plantain seeds). Plantain grows rapidly and they reproduce without stress once they are planted in a suitable land.

Our sucker has stand the text of time, resistant to pest and keep fruit for as long you care for your farm/soil

contact kenfarm today!!!

Since the more you put that land to use the more it fertility wear out....it wise to text your soil fertility to ensure a better way of ameliorating the soil...consult kenfarm for the needful

Crop yield losses due to pest and disease attack are one of contributing factors to declining food production in our dear country....join the elite farmer by purchasing kenfarm improved Nematode free Hybrid suckers and TME419 cassava stems while it available.

cheers!!

Splinz:
Yes. It's time to get that lazy arse to the farm. No more romance...
Oga op blast them more!

Thanks Bro, so much work to do in the farm

METHODS OF WEED CONTROL - CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL METHODS HERBICIDAL CONTROL OF WEEDS

Herbicides are chemicals capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of plants. In the last 40 years or so, man has greatly improved upon his weeding efficiency by supplementing the conventional weeding methods with herbicides. It has saved farmers of undue, repeated intercultivations and hoeing, and has helped him in obtaining satisfactory weed control where physical methods often fail. Today, we have over 1501 herbicides in common use for selective and non-selective weed control in different areas.

These chemicals vary greatly in their:
(a) molecular structures,
(b) mobility within plants,
(c) selectivity, (d) fate in soils, and
(e) response to environment.

Many chemicals have shown high codes of selectivity to certain crops, killing the weeds effectively. But proper selection of the herbicide, its rate, time, and method of application are very important to obtain the desire degree of weed control and crop selectivity. Herbicides are tools, and tool must be used with care. Many developing nations have made a good beginning in the use of herbicides in agriculture, but more comprehensive research needs to be done before extending it to new situations.

Benefits of Herbicides Herbicides were developed in the western world primarily to overcome the shortage of farm labour for weeding crops. However, during the past four decades, slowly the utility of herbicides has also been realized in the labour-rich tropical world, for varied reasons. Given adequate labour and money to remove weeds manually, still many advantages accrue from the judicious use of herbicides.

Important among these are the following:-
1. Incessant rainfall may make physical weeding infeasible. Herbicides can be used to ensure freedom of crops from weeds under such a condition. Also, during the early crop growth period when many fields need weeding simultaneously, even in labour-rich countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, and Sudan, there is certainly a weeding bottleneck in crop production. The soil applied herbicides can be of great help in these regions in boosting crop production.

2. Herbicides can be employed to control weeds as they emerge from the soli to eliminate weed crop interference even at a very early stage of crop growth. But by physical methods weeds are removed after they have offered considerable competition to the crops, and rarely at the critical time. Thus, herbicides provide benefits of timely weed control.

3. Herbicides can kill many weeds that survive by mimicry, for example, wildoat (Avena spp.) in wheat and barnyardgrass (Echinochola spp.)

4. Herbicidal control does not dictate strict row spacing’s

5. Herbicides bring about longer lasting control of perennial weeds and bushes than is possible with any physical control method.

6. Herbicides are convenient to use on spiny weeds which cannot be reached manually

7. Herbicides are safe on erodible lands where tillage may accelerate soil and water erosion.

8. Herbicides kill weeds in situ without permitting their dissemination.

9. Herbicide sprays easily reach the weeds growing in obstructed situations, such as utility-rightof-way, under fruit trees, and on undulating lands.

Some other benefits of using herbicides include (a) fewer labour problems, (b) greater possibility of farm mechanization, (c) easier crop harvesting and (d) lower cost of farm produce.


kenfarm advise you make use of contact herbicide and not systemic herbicide reason we explain in other post. check our 2weeks + plantain sucker. Tepid growth was achieved with application of herbicide (Name withheld) and manual weeding together.

kenfarm cares!!!

Phixy:
Hi forward same details to fisayolaobaju@yahoo.com Thanks

ok

LEKAYHIS:
I have 1 acre of land and I want you to help me plant casava on it, can you plant it for me and my e- mail is lekayhis197878@gmail.com

Good day,

We are pleased to know of your interest in our services.
However, we sell cassava stem, plant and Manage cassava farm for our esteem clients. To help us give you a detail Quote of the cost implication, we will like to know your farm location, and if you will be buying the cassava stem from us.


You can call our customer care line via 09091405861 or

 WhatsApp line 08038623884


We advise you make haste as May, June and July is the best time to plant your cassava stems.


Hope to read from you soon


Kenfarm Manager

LEKAYHIS:
I have 1 acre of land and I want you to help me plant casava on it, can you plant it for me and my e- mail is lekayhis197878@gmail.com

Thanks for your interest in our services.....we will send you a mail right away

cheers!

murshid09:
oga kentagent.thanks for info.pls any difference btw vit a and tme 419 cassava.what are the advantages and disadvantages they have over themselves.don't u think its advisable to plant oyo cassava stem because if u plant tme 419 in smaller quantity company might not take it due transportation cost for the farmer because to me its advisable to plant tme 419 in large quantity so as to gain but u know garri don't always like all these starchy cassava and they in low prices.aany advice on this

Difference: Vitamin A cassava is an improved variety cassava basically meant to increase Vitamin A consumption in the home since garri is consume most by all Economic class. It has less starch content and the garri is naturally yellow. while TME419 cassava is also an improved variety but the starch content is more that that of Vitamin A cassava. The garri is naturally white.

However, both variety do not have any advantage over the other because each of them is genetically engineered for different purpose. TME419 cassava cassava stem is improved to produce cassava tuber that is rich in starch content used as industrial raw material while Vitamin A cassava stem is improved basically to increase rate of consumption of Vitamin A in the Home

I will advise you plant an improved variety cassava stem however small the land may be. The advantages is enormous over the local okoiyawo. It true TME419 cassava tubers has high starch content which make the garri of low value. But you can reduce the starch content in your garri during processing and the end product garri will have low starch content( consult our eBook for detail)

cheers!!

tintedniggz:
Hi Mr. Ken, Nice work!
Please, how many toones of cassava would an acre of land yield?
Thanks!

I will give you the expected/paper figure which is 9-12 tones yield per acre. But like is use to tell people, what is expected or whatever figure you see online may not be applicable to your farm because:

1. Soil profile deference
2. care giving to your crop
3. Variety of seed used
⁴. How long the cassava is left before harvest
5. Rate and method of fertilizer application, Type of fertilizer used
Just to mention a few.......so this mean that your one acre of land can yield less than 10 tones or more than 20 tones depending on the factors over listed

cheers!!

IITA intensifies Awareness on Plantain/banana disease

As you will all agree with me (we mean our esteem followers) that it is in our practice to bring to the notice of our esteem followers and customers information that will help us make the best out of this ongoing planting season. It is in this regards that we employ you all to read the info below:

Towards stemming the tide of the ravaging Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD), prevalent in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), held a one-day awareness and launching of the ‘Stop Bunchy Top’ workshop and campaign in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to the research findings of the IITA, BBTD is caused by a virus named ‘Banana Bunchy Top Virus’ (BBTV), which is pervasive in all banana and plantain-producing areas of Nigeria and many parts of the world.

This virus infection results in dwarfing, narrow leaf, chlorosis of leaf margins and continuous dark-green streaks on leaves, petioles and pseudo stems. The leaves of infected plants become progressively smaller and stand more erect, giving the plant a bunchy appearance. It was also discovered that while plants infected at later stages may produce normal or deformed fruits, plants infected early in their growth do not produce fruits at all, resulting in total loss of yield. The plant may eventually die, but often remains with its lateral shoots, which serves as a source of infection.

The disease, which was first discovered in Odologun community, Yewa South Council Area, Nigeria in 2012 by the IITA, in collaboration with the University of Ibadan and Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Service (NAQS), has reportedly spread to Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa North, Imeko-Afon and Abeokuta North council areas. It has also been recorded in the Ibarapa zone of Oyo state.

The leader of the awareness team, Dr. Lava Kumar said the Institute had been able to identify the vector responsible for the BBTD, but is yet to find a permanent vaccine. “For now, what we have is the preventive approach, which is being accepted by the farmers,” he said.

According to him, since the disease migrated from Benin Republic into the Idologun community, the institute has been able to provide new BBTD-free suckers for the farmers in the area. Speaking further, he stated that prevention is the best option for BBTD control. This includes avoiding importation of planting materials from BBTD known regions, and using only healthy planting materials.

The Baale (Community Leader) of Idologun community, Chief Alade Fashina said the intervention of the Institute has saved plantain farmers in the community from total extinction.


Cheers!!!

karlxavier:
Mr Ken, a friend of mine has been in dilemma for sometime now. He is asking me wether planting cassava and processing it to Garri or planting plantain and selling directly to food processors, which is more profitable for him? He is equally asking how much it would cos to be able to process up to 70tones of cassava I to Garri? Note that, he has someone that wants to help him and use his factory for the processing though and as such, he wants to know how much it's going to cost him to process his stock . What's your advise?

Obviously, the output of plantain suckers is outrightly profitable than cassava whether you are selling the tubers or processing to garri. Ironically, you do not spend as much in maintaining your plantain plantation unlike cassava farm. Also, after first harvest of plantain, the suckers keeps multiplying and keep producing fruit for as long as 10years depending on how viable the parent suckers are(like ours). But for cassava stem, after harvest the cycle is over...think about that.

However, I can not say vividly how much it will cost to process 70tones because it vary with location. But I can say it is not as expensive as you think. consult the nearest garri processing factory to you for detail.

cheers!!!!

N.B: Kenfarm is still in the business of selling cassava stem and plantain suckers as well as soil analysis. we appreciate those customers who has adopted our seed. You shall harvest bountifully IJN.

However,

Happy New month to our esteem customers and followers!!!!

Happy New Month to our esteem customers and followers!!!!

TokyoBulls:
What do you propose to have this real life experience? You can work as an intern with a farmer (and get paid a token) or take practical trainings with farmers and pay them a fee. As much as possible, make sure you work on the farm and see how it really works. Most of the farmers I see on Nairaland do not own farms and experience has shown there's a major difference between what we think farming is and what it actually is.

Very much agree to your assertion that most farmers on NL do not have a farm.....google farmers things......all the same you could just read through their post as no knowledge is lost

Greetings to our esteem customers and articulate followers!!!!!
we say congratulations to those who has desired to go into farming this season especially cultivation of cassava and plantain suckers. The future is bright.

For those who are still contemplating, the trading is yet to move so yu can still join the train

For those of us who do not compromise standard of seeds, contact kenfarm for our viable TME419 cassava stem and Nematode free hybrid suckers.

You will call us at harvest time to pay us your humble tight in thanks giving to the alarming cash returns our seed will give you.

contact kenfarm via: kenfarm2020@gmail.com
or call the Number on my signature

Paulordiah:
I studied agriculture, I know , over 80% of the food stuff we have in market today are produced by rural farmers in the rural area, they don't do soil test, and they still have wonderful harvest, how?

I agree with you that 80% of food produce are produce by rural farmer and perhaps they do not do soil text.

The rural farmers you talking about I guess are the illiterate or local farmer. Otherwise, the elite are now migrating amass to join the rural farmers in land cultivation.

However, take your time to survey quality of farm produce of the rural/Local farmers and compare it with that of the Rural/elite farmers. No doubt, that of the rural/elite farmer will outdo that of the rural/illiterate farmers.

This is so because the rural/ illiterate farmer who will not adopt the best agronomic practice which include (soil testing, shifting cultivation, mono cropping, fertilizer application, mulching, ploughing, tilling etc) will end up complaining the gods are after his farmland. But the rural/elite farmer who adopt all these methods above surely comes out with bumper harvest.

Unconsciously, the rural/illiterate farmer who are presumed to produce 80% of our food product are now becoming enlightened by various Govt agency on best agric practice which produce high yield.

I will give you a practical experience to prove this
I just acquired acres of land to extend my farm this season. After clearing, the day I went to collect the soil for soil analysis, a local farmer who has a farm close to mine saw me when digging and collecting the soil from various point on my farm and concluded that I was taking the soil so as to give it to a juju man who will help me a peace the gods of the land so that my produce will be great........I laughed uncontrollably and afterwards took my time to educate him on the reason some agronomic best practice is important including soil analysis.

He immediately took me to his farm to show me how poorly his crops are doing. I Offer to do the analysis free for him and result showed his soil has been over used without replenishing. The soil lack NPK and more micaro element. I apply the lacking nutrients using folia sprayer and also apply inorganic fertilizer and at the same time encourage him to practice mulching.

After 4months he contacted me that his crop has improved and was ready to get as much info as possible.

Farming has gone pass just burying your seed, go home sleep with your two eyes closed and return to harvest.

we should all be in the vanguard of educating rural/local farmers so that the quality of farm produce can improve and yield increase.

This is what kenfarm stand for........we say NO to contemporary farming and YES to Technology driving farming

......together we can eradicate food insecurity!!!!!!!

[quote author=ogene70 post=56854125][/quote]Thanks for the complement......it our work oh!!

Paulordiah:
is soil test that necessary?

Very good Question!!!

I will advise you take your time to read through the post on the link below......you agree with me afterwards that information is power
cheers!!

https://www.nairaland.com/3675634/why-soil-analysis-farmland

Whether you will be satisfy or dissatisfy on your harvesting day depends on your choice of suckers.....this follow the saying that what you plant is what you harvest.....make a wise choice by calling kenfarm for your genetically engineered suckers suitable for the tropical region.
kenfarm customer care on WhatsApp :08038623884