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Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. - Agriculture (6) - Nairaland

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Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by lanre2009: 4:51am On Jan 21, 2015
Maple:
My contribution to this post would be to advice those interested in venturing into cattle/sheep/goat farming business to make security of their livestock a #1 priority with an unwavering diligence

I ventured into cattle farming (starting with 6 cows) about two years ago in Abuja using a well gated and fenced 2 plots of land. Unfortunately, when I was close to reaping the fruits of my labor, one night some armed cattle rustlers (thieves) broke into my farm stole all my cattles, along with several others in the neighborhood. Search parties were sent out the following morning, but to no avail. And the police, were useless.

Cattle rustling is now very rampant in Nigeria and even more rampant than highway robbery. It is a major dream killer for many prospective livestock farmers. Cattle rustlers are often well armed, and carry out their nefarious acts with utmost sophistication. using sophisticated weapons and so on. I was not unaware of the menace posed by cattle ruslers before I started, which was why I chose to locate my fenced farm in abuja. Sadly, what I was not aware of, was how daring they can be; to even break into a gated and well fenced farm located around Abuja and in a thriving neighbourhood, says alot. It means no location is safe from these people. However, you can secure your farm in a manner that would make their nefarious task very very difficult and expensive for them to carry-out.

Despite my unfortunate experience, my passion for cattle farming business remains unshaken, because it is a very lucrative business when successfully run. I have learned some important lessons with my experience and which I like to share:

1) Construct a very strong iron boulder fencing for your livestocks inside your farm, do so, even if your farm is already fenced. Double fencing means double risk for would-be thieves. Construct the iron fencing in a manner such that once you placed your livestock inside, it would be very hard for them to be taken out of it. Also, repair any lapses you may find in your fence or gate. Put metal caps on your fence & gates interlocks, so it makes it harder to break the locks. Any extra break-in time , is bad omen for would-be thieves.

2) Be wary of strangers around your farm location , Any new face loitering around your farm should be a warning sign. If they dont have their insider/spy who already knows your farm, livestock/Cattle rustlers spend a great amount of time (days & weeks) surveying/spying a farm, before they strike.

3) Be wary of who you invite into your farm, from the common farm help to the professional veterinarian. Some croocks among veterinarians (not to even mention farm help/workers) are known to profit by passing their client's farm herd infos, routines & security details to livestock/cattle rustlers, so beware.

4) It is very important that you have dogs in your farms. If you cant afford dogs, geese would do. The commotion dogs and geese create from their barking or quacking at intruders would significantly deter cattle rustlers from striking. The night cattle rustlers strucked my farm, they attempted to steal cows from another neighbourhood not far from my farm location, fortunately, that farm had dogs. Their constant barkings woke the people in the area, and the thieves fled.

5) keep your farm routines to yourself and to those who you can trust, and try not to create a consistent farm visitation time for yourself. Thus, be less predictable even to your farm workers, should u decide to hire any.

6) Finally, if you can afford it, hire a security guard, or build a dwelling place in your farm, and have someone live their. The presence of a person or people living inside your farm can dissuade would-be thieves.


Thanks for the heads up
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 6:40am On Jan 21, 2015
Maple:
My contribution to this post would be to advice those interested in venturing into cattle/sheep/goat farming business to make security of their livestock a #1 priority with an unwavering diligence

I ventured into cattle farming (starting with 6 cows) about two years ago in Abuja using a well gated and fenced 2 plots of land. Unfortunately, when I was close to reaping the fruits of my labor, one night some armed cattle rustlers (thieves) broke into my farm stole all my cattles, along with several others in the neighborhood. Search parties were sent out the following morning, but to no avail. And the police, were useless.

Cattle rustling is now very rampant in Nigeria and even more rampant than highway robbery. It is a major dream killer for many prospective livestock farmers. Cattle rustlers are often well armed, and carry out their nefarious acts with utmost sophistication. using sophisticated weapons and so on. I was not unaware of the menace posed by cattle ruslers before I started, which was why I chose to locate my fenced farm in abuja. Sadly, what I was not aware of, was how daring they can be; to even break into a gated and well fenced farm located around Abuja and in a thriving neighbourhood, says alot. It means no location is safe from these people. However, you can secure your farm in a manner that would make their nefarious task very very difficult and expensive for them to carry-out.

Despite my unfortunate experience, my passion for cattle farming business remains unshaken, because it is a very lucrative business when successfully run. I have learned some important lessons with my experience and which I like to share:

1) Construct a very strong iron boulder fencing for your livestocks inside your farm, do so, even if your farm is already fenced. Double fencing means double risk for would-be thieves. Construct the iron fencing in a manner such that once you placed your livestock inside, it would be very hard for them to be taken out of it. Also, repair any lapses you may find in your fence or gate. Put metal caps on your fence & gates interlocks, so it makes it harder to break the locks. Any extra break-in time , is bad omen for would-be thieves.

2) Be wary of strangers around your farm location , Any new face loitering around your farm should be a warning sign. If they dont have their insider/spy who already knows your farm, livestock/Cattle rustlers spend a great amount of time (days & weeks) surveying/spying a farm, before they strike.

3) Be wary of who you invite into your farm, from the common farm help to the professional veterinarian. Some croocks among veterinarians (not to even mention farm help/workers) are known to profit by passing their client's farm herd infos, routines & security details to livestock/cattle rustlers, so beware.

4) It is very important that you have dogs in your farms. If you cant afford dogs, geese would do. The commotion dogs and geese create from their barking or quacking at intruders would significantly deter cattle rustlers from striking. The night cattle rustlers strucked my farm, they attempted to steal cows from another neighbourhood not far from my farm location, fortunately, that farm had dogs. Their constant barkings woke the people in the area, and the thieves fled.

5) keep your farm routines to yourself and to those who you can trust, and try not to create a consistent farm visitation time for yourself. Thus, be less predictable even to your farm workers, should u decide to hire any.

6) Finally, if you can afford it, hire a security guard, or build a dwelling place in your farm, and have someone live their. The presence of a person or people living inside your farm can dissuade would-be thieves.
Thank you so much sir for the advice, and may God return ur lost in multiple folds Amen.

4 Likes

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 2:24pm On Jan 22, 2015
What a sunny day. God bless our endeavours......
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by psalm68(m): 7:30am On Jan 23, 2015
@soloxam,tell us about water melon nw,i planted water melon along side ugu(fluted pumpkin) last year.
the ugu blossom but water melon just dried off completely.
share ur experience with us please.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 8:36pm On Jan 23, 2015
psalm68:
@soloxam,tell us about water melon nw,i planted water melon along side ugu(fluted pumpkin) last year.
the ugu blossom but water melon just dried off completely.
share ur experience with us please.
@Psalm68, let me ask u few question, did u plant ugu and watermelon together? Did u ever spray with insecticide/fungicides? If yes which one did u use and at what interval? What time of the year did u plant, was there enough water? So this will help me answer u well, thank for following.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 8:52pm On Jan 23, 2015
psalm68:
@soloxam,tell us about water melon nw,i planted water melon along side ugu(fluted pumpkin) last year.
the ugu blossom but water melon just dried off completely.
share ur experience with us please.
Sir the only bitter experience I have on watermelon was last year when I planted 2 acres of watermelon close to a village called Agbedo along ijaye road before ajibade. My watermelon was doing fine but the villagers will never allow me to harvest my produce before it fully mature. You will just see watermelon slice into two inside the farm, I want to cry but I learn a very great lesson. I was able to harvest cucumber on the same plot because cucumber is not eaten by most of the villager.... I loss all my watermelon to the villagers oooooo......

3 Likes

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by psalm68(m): 11:10am On Jan 24, 2015
Soloxam:
@Psalm68, let me ask u few question, did u plant ugu and watermelon together? Did u ever spray with insecticide/fungicides? If yes which one did u use and at what interval? What time of the year did u plant, was there enough water? So this will help me answer u well, thank for following.
i wish i can really say what happened along the line.i guess i watered too much in the first two weeks.afterwards i became very busy because that i practically abandoned the farm for months.no TLC i suppose.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 8:01pm On Jan 24, 2015
psalm68:

i wish i can really say what happened along the line.i guess i watered too much in the first two weeks.afterwards i became very busy because that i practically abandoned the farm for months.no TLC i suppose.
This crop is called watermelon, many people believe it a water loving plant but reverse is the case, the water supply should be very moderate.
It is every important to control pest in melon farm, failure to do so then there is going to be issue. Insecticide,fungicide, should be applied once in a week or fortnightly, otherwise the outcome won't be interesting, so if you can't avoid to work on ur watermelon farm once in a week or fortnightly pls don't waste ur resources...... Then when ur crop begins to craw, while spraying, pls don't just spray the surface of the leaves, spray behind of the leaves too, cos white fly and aphid do hide behind the leaves. They always suck the sap from the plant and hinder the plant from growing...... At a point u will notice the leaves will begin to shrink and dry off, most fruit will be deformed and get spoil..... Intending farmers watermelon need much attention than u may think of.

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by psalm68(m): 4:10pm On Jan 25, 2015
Soloxam:
This crop is called watermelon, many people believe it a water loving plant but reverse is the case, the water supply should be very moderate.
It is every important to control pest in melon farm, failure to do so then there is going to be issue. Insecticide,fungicide, should be applied once in a week or fortnightly, otherwise the outcome won't be interesting, so if you can't avoid to work on ur watermelon farm once in a week or fortnightly pls don't waste ur resources...... Then when ur crop begins to craw, while spraying, pls don't just spray the surface of the leaves, spray behind of the leaves too, cos white fly and aphid do hide behind the leaves. They always suck the sap from the plant and hinder the plant from growing...... At a point u will notice the leaves will begin to shrink and dry off, most fruit will be deformed and get spoil..... Intending farmers watermelon need much attention than u may think of.
you are very right.now i plan to spend time in the farm.
please how can i get the f1 koloss seed in ogun state
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 8:21pm On Jan 25, 2015
psalm68:

you are very right.now i plan to spend time in the farm.
please how can i get the f1 koloss seed in ogun state
Are u coming to the Yabdi program on the 31st In Abeokuta? If yes the seeds will be available, or call me other wise to make arrangement on how it will get to you...
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by debeey87(m): 11:54am On Jan 31, 2015
Soloxam:
Please house let me chip in this less I forget, please do not. Set your watermelon farm beside an existing melon farm or where melon was just harvested. It very risky, as ur watermelon will taste bitter instead of sweet. Merry Xmass........

What could cause the bitterness
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 9:03pm On Jan 31, 2015
debeey87:


What could cause the bitterness
Good question, watermelon and melon (egusi) are the same family, they behave similarly, the taste of watermelon is sweet while melon taste bitter, I mean the juice so when they are planted they are pollinated by same insect here cross pollinated the bitter taste of melon will dominate that of sweetness of watermelon..........

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Nobody: 3:45pm On Feb 01, 2015
solxam, u too much oooo.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by debeey87(m): 4:27pm On Feb 01, 2015
Soloxam:
Good question, watermelon and melon (egusi) are the same family, they behave similarly, the taste of watermelon is sweet while melon taste bitter, I mean the juice so when they are planted they are pollinated by same insect here cross pollinated the bitter taste of melon will dominate that of sweetness of watermelon..........

You are the boss. Thanks
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 4:35pm On Feb 01, 2015
mercylicious:
solxam, u too much oooo.
Thank you madam, how is you plantain doing? Hope you have solve the issues of monkey too? Have a wonderful day maaa.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 4:36pm On Feb 01, 2015
debeey87:


You are the boss. Thanks
Uwc sir.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 5:12am On Feb 15, 2015
It the beginning of another planting season, please learn from your past mistake, experience is the best teacher so they said, intending farmer look before u loop.

Hope we are getting ready for the season? Best of luck to all practicals farmers.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 1:42pm On Feb 21, 2015
I will advice an intending farmers to start small (experiment on small plot) year in year out you will get used to it............. or u work hand in hand with experienced farmers.
cheers.

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 8:12pm On Mar 21, 2015
God we need rain.....

Can someone update the intensity of rain in His/Her area!

I was in farm today it was as if it will rain but never, when I got home the rain was so much I called farm where we needed rain, there was no rain.

God have mercy......

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Lesgupnigeria(m): 7:58am On Mar 22, 2015
Soloxam:
God we need rain.....

Can someone update the intensity of rain in His/Her area!

I was in farm today it was as if it will rain but never, when I got home the rain was so much I called farm where we needed rain, there was no rain.

God have mercy......
its amazing how rain fall in the city where its not needed and fail to fall in the rural area where its needed.
Rain have started in some area but it has not being consistent.
The weather forecast for this year is not accurate.
Rain have started in some part of Edo,Abia and Oyo state
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Nobody: 9:57am On Mar 22, 2015
it rained yesterday arnd 5pm in anambra. nt heavy though, bt enough to wet d ground.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 10:27am On Mar 22, 2015
mercylicious:
it rained yesterday arnd 5pm in anambra. nt heavy though, bt enough to wet d ground.
One can not really predict rain fall this year, last two week I was travelling to Asaba, when I got to Edo I notice it rain a night before that morning, with what I saw it was very heavy, I was happy that at least it will rain in Asaba, by the time I got to Agbor it was some thing else the soil were so dry. On getting to Asaba, I asked my guy over there said it has not rain for months. Just imagine the intensity of sun just like that of the north....
We have many work to execute now rain is holding us.... God shower your rain.........
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by jethro2: 12:27pm On Mar 22, 2015
Soloxam:
I will advice an intending farmers to start small (experiment on small plot) year in year out you will get used to it............. or u work hand in hand with experienced farmers.
cheers.
You ve said it all.
Get trained, get experience. Learn from experience farmers.
Its baffled me on daily basis when the first thing that intending farmer ask is what they can get per acre in naira within 2 months.
No practical experience, no learning process. You see them later come to Nairaland searching for emergency solutions.
Yes. Agriculture is profitable but one has got to learn the rope.
There is no short cut in agric.
Meanwhile an Agribusiness On Farm Practical Training "Grow Your Own Vegetables" is starting in April.
Minimum attendance is a month stay on the farm in Saki.
Participation fee is N20,000 per month,accommodation inclusive.
Time to get your hand dirty
Learn from experience hands on the farm
08064688501, 08188540096
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 3:06pm On Mar 22, 2015
jethro2:

You ve said it all.
Get trained, get experience. Learn from experience farmers.
Its baffled me on daily basis when the first thing that intending farmer ask is what they can get per acre in naira within 2 months.
No practical experience, no learning process. You see them later come to Nairaland searching for emergency solutions.
Yes. Agriculture is profitable but one has got to learn the rope.
There is no short cut in agric.
Meanwhile an Agribusiness On Farm Practical Training "Grow Your Own Vegetables" is starting in April.
Minimum attendance is a month stay on the farm in Saki.
Participation fee is N20,000 per month,accommodation inclusive.
Time to get your hand dirty
Learn from experience hands on the farm
08064688501, 08188540096
Knowledge is power..... One need to acquire it before venturing to Agric or get an experience person to guide u...... If u must do it by ur self then start small so that u won't get ur fingers burnt....... Madam jethro hope u done book my space down........?
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 3:17pm On Mar 22, 2015
Lesgupnigeria:

its amazing how rain fall in the city where its not needed and fail to fall in the rural area where its needed.
Rain have started in some area but it has not being consistent.
The weather forecast for this year is not accurate.
Rain have started in some part of Edo,Abia and Oyo state
The climatic change have really cause issue my oga.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by cbrass(m): 7:54pm On Mar 22, 2015
Lesgupnigeria:

its amazing how rain fall in the city where its not needed and fail to fall in the rural area where its needed.
Rain have started in some area but it has not being consistent.
The weather forecast for this year is not accurate.
Rain have started in some part of Edo,Abia and Oyo state

we need it in the city too o cos the heat is much too

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Lesgupnigeria(m): 8:09pm On Mar 22, 2015
Soloxam:
The climatic change have really cause issue my oga.
Na so o.
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Lesgupnigeria(m): 8:19pm On Mar 22, 2015
cbrass:


we need it in the city too o cos the heat is much too
you sure you need it in the city? gringringrin
But we need it more.
You can still survive with heat but you cant survive with no food,and moreover i need to make some quick money with watermelon.

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by cbrass(m): 9:21pm On Mar 22, 2015
Lesgupnigeria:

you sure you need it in the city? gringringrin
But we need it more.
You can still survive with heat but you cant survive with no food,and moreover i need to make some quick money with watermelon.

ok o cheesy
Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by Soloxam(m): 10:40am On Mar 23, 2015
cbrass:


we need it in the city too o cos the heat is much too
Lol, my brother heat no be small thing...

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by funstufz: 11:47am On Mar 23, 2015
[quote author=jethro2 post=3188104
Yes. Agriculture is profitable but one has got to learn the rope.
There is no short cut in agric.
Meanwhile an Agribusiness On Farm Practical Training "Grow Your Own Vegetables" is starting in April.
Minimum attendance is a month stay on the farm in Saki.
Participation fee is N20,000 per month,accommodation inclusive.
Time to get your hand dirty
Learn from experience hands on the farm
08064688501, 08188540096[/quote]

Nice way to go before one venture into agribusiness. I need more info, is it weekend inclusive, time schedule per day, wat types of vegetables are we learning with?....

1 Like

Re: Practical Farmers Pls Share Ur Bitter Experience, Let Learn From Your Mistakes. by jethro2: 12:44pm On Mar 23, 2015
[quote author=funstufz post=31913703][/quote]
Yes. Its weekend inclusive.
Morning and evening session. Morning Session 7am-12noon.
Evening Session 3pm -7pm
Vegetables such as
Cucumber, Tomato, Green pepper, Chilli pepper, Green beans, Cabbage, Ugwu, Onion, Okra, water melon etc.
Starting from the nursery through transplanting. Meeting the standard market requirement and accessing the market are part of the training

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