₦airaland Forum

GreenMavro:
I need land in ikorodu for farming

Elfmannisback:
Do u have suckers?

GreenMavro:
I need land in ikorodu for farming

maxipharo:
Nigeria is one of the largest plantain producing countries in the world. Despite this, Nigeria has not been featuring among plantain exporting countries in the world because the demand from local consumers is relatively high. Today, the number of farms cultivating plantain in Nigeria is low and this makes the demand for plantain and it’s by-products high.

dlondonbadboy:
Once a plaintain is harvested, no need to plant again, what does this mean..?

OdaNobunaga:
Please do we know anybody in this country who has made it via plantain farming?

brodalokie:
Plantain farming is an industry. You can farm and process the harvest or sell it...

OdaNobunaga:
Please do we know anybody in this country who has made it via plantain farming?

GreenMavro:
I need land in ikorodu for farming

maxipharo:
Sit down there and keep looking for someone who has made it through plantain farming

Olami90:
So much I have learnt on the thread.
Can someone help with rough estimate of how many suckers will be needed for a plot or an acre and an idea of what is expected to be made at least from an acre of plantain farm at the end of a season....

Thank you.


cc: maxipharo
Yemike
teeisaac

Yemike:
Clearing is the first thing to do after land had been acquired. The cost varies depending on the location but an Aboki/Agatu man shouldn't charge more than 4k/plot making it #24,000 an acre.

The next thing to do is to acquire the hybrid plantain sucker to be planted. I can provide you with highly yield plantain sucker at an affordable price of #130 per sucker that makes it #130,000 per 1000 sucker cuz you'll need 1,000 plantain sucker on an acre of land.

To plant the sucker you can contact those who did the clearing for you or get in touch with professionals to do that for you at the rate of #30-#50 per sucker. (I can help with that @ #30 per sucker) let's say you'll spend #30,000 here.

Clearing of weeds should be done twice first in 2-3 and 5-6 months respectively its the same amount as the clearing charge which is #24,000.

Fertilizer/maure needs to be added to enhance good yield. Poultry wastes is the best here and you can get this for free from poultry farmers or pay a token for it. Let's assume #5,000 for this.

Total money spent = #250,000.

Then, it's harvest time.

The price of plantain bunches are variable, it depends on the size of the bunch. The price varies from #800 from small bunch to #1,500. Average bunch should be around #1,150. Assuming after harvesting you have like 900 bunches available for sale and you sold it #1,000 each totalling 900k after harvest.
Deducting your start-up capital which is #250,000 and #50,000 for miscellaneous (fuel, transport etc) you'll be left with #600,000.
You can make double the amount. If you follow my calculations I restrict it to the barest minimum profit you can make.

The cost of production for the next planting season is very low as there is no need to buy suckers again. In fact you'll have enough suckers to start up another plantation or you may decide to sell the suckers to a fellow farmer.

I hope this helps a little. Feel free to ask questions in any area that you're still in doubt.

maxipharo:
Plantain farming in Nigeria is not a new thing, but over the years it has taken a dramatic turn in alleviating poverty and creating opportunities for agripreneurs. Million are currently been made every year from plantain farming in Nigeria, yet there is no end to it prospects because the demand for plantain and its by-product is higher than it used to be.
Nigeria is one of the largest plantain producing countries in the world. Despite this, Nigeria has not been featuring among plantain exporting countries in the world because the demand from local consumers is relatively high. Today, the number of farms cultivating plantain in Nigeria is low and this makes the demand for plantain and it’s by-products high.
Plantains are members of the banana family, but they contain more starch and is lower in sugar, on the average plantain has about 200 calories and is a good source of potassium and dietary fiber.
Plantains can be used in many ways:
- It can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted and fried
- Plantains can be dried and grounded into flour commonly called Amala among yoruba’s
- Plantain can be boiled, blended with water, spices and sugar to make chapo.
- After removing the skin, the unripe fruit can be sliced thin and deep fried in hot oil to produce plantain chips.
- Overripe plantain can be fried, to produced dodo(Dodo Ikire)
Now, let us consider some basic steps to start a plantain farm:
Land Selection
When selecting land for a plantain farm, the land should be :
- Well-drained
- Fertile
- Good topography
- Adequate PH
- Free from pest
- Easily accessible.
Plantain does best in loamy soil, the soil should contain enough organic matter with moderate moisture content.
Land Preparation
The purpose of land preparation is to provide the necessary soil conditions which will enhance the successful establishment of the young suckers. The land is to be prepared with minimum disturbance to the soil (no-tillage). Manual clearing should be preferred to mechanized clearing because the machinery used always remove the topsoil which contains the organic matters.
Land Spacing
The recommended spacing for plantain farming is 3m between the plantain rows and 2m within the row (3m by 2m). Alternatively, 2.5m×2.5m can also be used. A straight row in a flat land is recommended for the plantain suckers for maximum excess to sunshine and flow of air. Rows should follow a contour line in a sloppy land to decrease the effect of soil erosion.
Selecting Plantain Sucker
Plantain suckers are usually used in growing plantain, so it can also be referred to as the plant seed. Plantain suckers are usually acquired from plantain farmers at a price range of #150-#500 depending on the variety. When selecting plantain sucker the medium sized plantain suckers is usually preferred to the giant ones because the giant one's leaves can easily be damaged by strong wind.
Selected plantain sucker should be strong and active, free from pest and diseases. Plantain suckers are usually separated from the matured plantain with the use of spade or machete, care must be taken so as not to peel off the sucker corm.
NOTE: The yield of your plantain farm depends on the type of sucker selected and varieties.
Planting
Plantain suckers are usually planted during the rainy season. The acquire plantain sucker should be planted as soon as possible, planted 30 by 30 by 30cm each. The planting hole should be deep so as to accommodate the root ball of the sucker.
Mulching, Fertilization, Weed control
Mulching is important for the transplanted plantain sucker to retain soil water, regulate soil temperature, improve soil fertility and suppress weed growth around the planted suckers.
Fertilization
Plantain requires sufficient organic matter to thrive well. The organic matter provides a suitable environment necessary for the growth of the sucker and to ensure a good yield. It is therefore required to provide nutrient to the suckers through fertilizers either organic or inorganic fertilizer. Dead plantain leaves should be left on the ground to improve soil fertility.
Organic fertilizer made up of livestock manure, household waste and wood ash improves plantain growth, yield and greatly reduce the effect of borer weevils and nematodes.
Weed control
It is necessary to eliminate weeds because they deprive plants of vital nutrients. Weeding can be done every six to eight weeks but the effect of the weed will get less when the canopy of the plantain leaves have grown thick. Weed can be done manually or by the use of herbicides.
Harvesting
Harvesting of plantain is done after eight to ten months of planting, or when one or two plantains out of the bunch is beginning to look yellowish. Cut the bunches from the stalk, this should be done carefully to avoid scratch on the bunch, little scratch or pressure on the bunch cause it to get rotten within a very short time.
Cut down the plantain tree to the ground and shred the leaves to be used for another mulching.
Remember once a plantain is harvested, you don’t need to plant again.
Marketing
There is always a readily available market for plantains, you can sell in the local market, or supply to companies or industries that process plantain.

http://www.agricincome.com/plantain-farming/

Yemike:
Clearing is the first thing to do after land had been acquired. The cost varies depending on the location but an Aboki/Agatu man shouldn't charge more than 4k/plot making it #24,000 an acre.

The next thing to do is to acquire the hybrid plantain sucker to be planted. I can provide you with highly yield plantain sucker at an affordable price of #130 per sucker that makes it #130,000 per 1000 sucker cuz you'll need 1,000 plantain sucker on an acre of land.

To plant the sucker you can contact those who did the clearing for you or get in touch with professionals to do that for you at the rate of #30-#50 per sucker. (I can help with that @ #30 per sucker) let's say you'll spend #30,000 here.

Clearing of weeds should be done twice first in 2-3 and 5-6 months respectively its the same amount as the clearing charge which is #24,000.

Fertilizer/maure needs to be added to enhance good yield. Poultry wastes is the best here and you can get this for free from poultry farmers or pay a token for it. Let's assume #5,000 for this.

Total money spent = #250,000.

Then, it's harvest time.

The price of plantain bunches are variable, it depends on the size of the bunch. The price varies from #800 from small bunch to #1,500. Average bunch should be around #1,150. Assuming after harvesting you have like 900 bunches available for sale and you sold it #1,000 each totalling 900k after harvest.
Deducting your start-up capital which is #250,000 and #50,000 for miscellaneous (fuel, transport etc) you'll be left with #600,000.
You can make double the amount. If you follow my calculations I restrict it to the barest minimum profit you can make.

The cost of production for the next planting season is very low as there is no need to buy suckers again. In fact you'll have enough suckers to start up another plantation or you may decide to sell the suckers to a fellow farmer.

I hope this helps a little. Feel free to ask questions in any area that you're still in doubt.