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Salford organic agro store, Ikorodu (2026)

28/06/2024

Pepper dem
Different shades of Pepper.

Pepper seeds and seedlings available dm to place your orders .

28/06/2024

Bountiful harvest from our farm get your tomato and pepper seeds from us at Salford organic agro store

27/03/2024

Maize farming is a popular agricultural practice in Nigeria due to the numerous advantages it offers to farmers. With a population of over 200 million, maize is an important crop for food security, and it is used in a variety of products such as animal feed, ethanol production, and food processing.

One of the primary advantages of maize farming is the guaranteed market. With Nigeria's large and growing population, the demand for maize is consistently high, providing farmers with reliable buyers and a steady income. Additionally, maize farming requires minimal inputs, making it a cost-effective and low-maintenance crop.

Maize farming is also an environmentally sustainable practice. With the increasing concerns over climate change, farmers are seeking agricultural practices that are eco-friendly and reduce carbon emissions. Maize is a crop that is not only resistant to pests and diseases, but it also requires less water and energy to grow, compared to other cereal crops such as rice, wheat, and sorghum. This reduces the carbon footprint of maize farming, making it an eco-friendly practice.

Another advantage of maize farming is that it is a versatile crop. Maize can be used in a variety of forms, such as flour, grits, and meal, making it a valuable commodity that can be processed into different products for various uses. Additionally, farmers can use maize for animal feed, which is in high demand in the Nigerian market.

Maize farming can be a profitable enterprise for Nigerian farmers. With the rising demand for maize, farmers can expect high returns on their investment. Additionally, the availability of improved seed varieties and modern farming techniques have made it possible for farmers to increase their yields significantly, which translates to higher profits.

In conclusion, maize farming is a profitable and sustainable agricultural practice in Nigeria. With the guaranteed market, minimal inputs, eco-friendliness, versatility, and profitability, it's no surprise that maize farming is a popular agricultural practice in Nigeria. As the population continues to grow, maize farming is likely to become even more profitable, providing farmers with a reliable income and helping to ensure food security in Nigeria.

08/03/2024

Organic farming refers to a type of agricultural system that avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In other words, it is a method of cultivation that relies on the use of natural resources exclusively.

Organic farming has become increasingly popular in recent years, mainly due to the concerns over the environmental impact of modern agriculture. Organic farming practices are designed to reduce the impact of farming on the environment while promoting sustainable farming practices.

One of the primary advantages of organic farming is that it helps to preserve the soil's natural fertility. Instead of relying on synthetic fertilizers, organic farmers use a diverse range of biological fertilizers such as manure and compost, which helps to improve soil structure and maintain soil health. By maintaining healthy soil, organic farming helps to improve crop yield and ensure agricultural sustainability.

Another benefit of organic farming is that it helps to reduce soil erosion. Organic farming methods focus on maintaining healthy vegetation cover through crop rotation and intercropping systems. This vegetation cover helps to reduce water run-off and soil erosion while enhancing the soil's water-holding capacity, which is vital for crop growth.

Organic farming also helps to promote biodiversity in the local ecosystem. Since organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, it allows for a richer and more diverse variety of beneficial insects and natural predators. This diversity ensures that pests and diseases are kept in check, reducing chemical use, and providing a healthier and more balanced environment for crops and other living organisms.

Finally, organic farming practices help to promote healthier food choices. Since organic farmers avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, the crops they produce are free from harmful chemicals. This produces healthier and more nutritious food, which is essential for maintaining good health.

In conclusion, organic farming is a sustainable and eco-friendly farming system that promotes soil health, reduces soil erosion, supports biodiversity, and improves the nutritional quality of our food. As the world becomes more conscious of the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly practices, organic farming is an increasingly popular and viable option for farmers globally.

26/02/2024

Plantain Farming in Nigeria – How to Grow Plantain

Plantain farming is simply the cultivation of plantain. Plantain farming involves the process of planting the plantain suckers till the stage of harvesting and marketing of the plantain produce.

Plantain farming is one of the most profitable farming ventures in Nigeria because of the huge demand of plantains in Nigeria. Most Nigerians if not all consume plantains regularly.

Plantains are starchy bananas that are widely consumed in a lot of countries. Plantains grow the tropical belt of the world. It does not grow in temperate and dry areas. Plantain as a crop also loves humidity. This is why it does well in wet humid regions of the world.

Nigeria’s Business Day Newspaper noted that there was about 99,000 tons demand-supply gap of plantains in Nigeria. About 350 million people in West and Central Africa heavily consume plantains as food.

In Nigeria, plantains are mainly grown in southern states of Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos and Ebonyi. Plantains do well in the southern belt of Nigeria because of the tropical and humid nature of the region.

Plantain can be grown in the northern part of Nigeria if irrigation is used.

Steps to Take to Start Plantain Farming in Nigeria

The following are the steps to take to grow plantain in Nigeria:

Site Selection

Climatic Conditions

Soil Suitable for Plantain Farming

Soil Preparation

Selection of Cultivar to Plant

Equipment

Irrigation

Sucker Preparation and Management

Transplanting of Plantain Suckers to Field

W**d Control

Training and Pruning of Plantain

Fertilizer and Manure Management

Management of Pests and Diseases

Harvesting

Processing of Plantain

Marketing

1) Site Selection

The location or site to use for your plantain plantation must be easily accessible. There should be a good road connection so that the produce of the farm can be easily evacuated to the market.

The farmland site should be located in a tropical humid belt as this will positively favour the growth of the plantain crop. The soil should preferably by loamy and fertile. Clay and sandy soils are not favourable for the growing of plantain.

2) Climatic Conditions Suitable for Plantain Farming

Plantain prefers tropic and humid climatic conditions. To grow plantain, you need to site your farm in a place that has a tropical climatic condition.

Lowland areas are perfect for the growing of plantains. However, you should not cultivate plantain in flooded areas.

Plantain prefers areas with an annual rainfall level of 2,000mm. The rainfall should be well distributed all through the year.

Plantain can also tolerate high level of humidity.

3) Soil Suitable for Plantain Farming

Plantain crop prefers black loamy soil or any soil rich in organic matter. The soil should be well draining and relatively loose. Sandy and clay soils are not good for the cultivation of plantain.

The soil pH should be 4.0 – 7.5. If your soil is very acidic, you can amend with limestone or dolomite.

4) Soil Preparation

If the farmland to be used is heavily forested, the trees and stumps should be removed. Bulldozers can be used to remove the trees and stumps, however, care should be exercised so that the top soil is not removed.

After the removal of the trees and stumps, the soil should be ploughed and harrowed. Several rounds of plough may be done for the soil to be loose. Ridging can also be done to create beds. For virgin soils, ploughing and harrowing may not be done.

For soil with low organic matter, farmyard manure, animal manure and compost can be added to the soil. These should be mixed to the soil through ploughing.

The soil should be ploughed several times till the soil forms a fine tilth. Tractors with harrowing implement may be used to harrow the farmland.

High phosphate fertilizer like Single Super Phosphate fertilizer or Diammonium Phosphate Fertilizer should be applied to every pit meant for planting the sucker. Depending on how fertile the soil is, up to 75 - 175 grams of Single Super Phosphate fertilizer may be applied per planting hole.

The recommended spacing is 3 m between the plantain rows and 2 m within the row (in other words. 3 m x 2 m). An alternative is 2.5 m x 2.5 m. If spaced 3 m x 2 m, 1 hectare should contain 1667 plants, but with a spacing of 2.5 m x 2.5 m, it should contain 1600 plants.

5) Plantain Cultivar to Plant (Plantain Sucker)

The following are some of the varieties of plantain that can be planted in Nigeria:

Giant Elephant Sucker

The Giant Elephant Sucker is called Agbagba Erin in Nigeria. This plantain variety produced big plantain fruits.

This variety produces the biggest plantain fruits from all plantain varieties in Nigeria. It matures after 8 – 12 months of planting.

Tissue Culture Suckers

Planting tissue culture suckers is the best way of growing plantains. Tissue culture suckers are bred in clean environments, they are sterile and free from harmful pests and microbes. They cannot introduce pests into your soil or farmland.

Uprooted Suckers

Uprooted suckers are suckers uprooted from another farmland. The risk of planting uprooted suckers is that they may have pests and harmful microbes that can be introduced to your farm.

To use uprooted microbes, you must apply pesticides or you dip the suckers into hot water for a few minutes.

There are three types of suckers namely the peeper sucker, maiden sucker and sword sucker.

6) Equipment

The following equipment can be used for plantain farming:

Tractors

Boom Sprayer

Harrowers

Plough

Farm House

Power Tiller

Cutlasses

Hoes

Earth Augers

Motorised Sprayers

W**ders etc.

7) Irrigation

Using irrigation can enhance your plantain yield by 100 – 200%. Irrigation has been known to significantly increase the yield of plantain crop in Nigeria. It is a misconception that plantain does not need irrigation.

With irrigation, the population of plantain stands on a farm can be significantly increased. This can lead to an enhanced crop yield.

The following types of irrigation can be used for plantain farming:

Drip Irrigation: Drip irrigation is a type of irrigation that provides for the wetting of the root zone of plants. In drip irrigation systems, a network of drip tapes, pipes or hoses and emitters are used to pass water to crops. For plantain, drip irrigation can be used to provide water for the crops. You can increase your plantain population with the use of drip irrigation.

Sprinkler: Sprinklers work like rain; they spray water to the crops. Sprinklers can increase the humidity on your farm, plantain crop do well under high humidity. Spray tubes, rain hoses, center pivots and rain guns are some types of sprinklers that can be used to irrigate plantain.

Furrow Irrigation: This is the passing of water between the ridges or beds on a farmland. Though, this is a type of irrigation, if not well done, it can lead to root rot in plants.

8) Sucker Preparation and Management

In Nigeria, suckers are usually uprooted from existing plantain farms and transplanted to a new plantain farm.

If you want to use uprooted sucker, you should treat them with pesticides before planting them. You can also use hot water treatment to clean up the uprooted suckers.

The use of tissue culture plantain suckers is the best way to start a plantain farm. To have tissue culture suckers, you need to build a mini greenhouse like structure and bury some tissues of the plantain suckers in planting bags filled with soil.

After a few weeks, the young plantain plants can be uprooted and planted in a new plantain field.

9) Transplanting of the Suckers

The suckers should be transplanted to the field in the early morning or late evening. Transplanting of suckers should not be done in the afternoon when it is too hot.

The field should be well irrigated before the transplanting of the plantain suckers. Farmyard manure or compost should be available and there must have been the digging of planting holes before transplanting of the plantain suckers.

Carefully remove the suckers from the soil or planting bag and place it in the planting hole on the field. Fill up the hole with a mix of soil, farmyard manure or compost and 70 - 200 grams of Single Super Phosphate fertilizer (SSP).

Mychorizhae and other microbial innoculants may be placed in the planting pit to speed up the growth of the suckers. If the soil is infected with nematodes, suitable nematicides like vellum should be applied.

About 1,000 – 1,600 suckers can be planted per hectare.

10) W**d Control

Herbicides like Allion can be used to control weeds on a plantain farm. However, shields should be used when applying herbicides. Shields will prevent the herbicides from touching the plantain trees.

W**d control can also be done by growing cover crops in your plantain farm. Cover crops cover the surface of the soil and serve as shield against erosion and nutrients leaching.

Plastic mulches and organic mulches can also be used to control the growth of weeds. Plastic mulch covers the surface of the soil and prevents the growth of weeds.

Cutlasses, hoes and motorized weeders can also be used to remove weeds.

11) Training and Pruning of Plantain

Most of the plantain farmers in Nigeria do not prune their plantain trees. Cutting some of the leaves of your plantain trees may enhance your yield as this will make the plantain tree devote more energy and nutrients to the production of plantain fruits.

You should not prune if you do not know how it is done.

12) Fertilizer and Manure Application in Plantain Farming

Plantain is a heavy feeder. It is also a potassium hungry crop. Plantain needs more potassium than nitrogen and phosphorus.

7 – 14 kg of farmyard manure or well cured animal manure should be mixed with soil and added to each planting hole. 200 - 400 grams of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer and 70 - 100 grams of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizer should be added to every planting hole.

The fertilizers should be applied in a ring form around each plantain tree. Fertigation can also be used to apply fertilizers; in this case, small doses of fertilizers will be applied to the plantain crop intermittently. Fertigation is more efficient than top dressing and side dressing of fertilizers.

Microbial innoculants, chelates and humates like King Humus Plus should also be applied to the plantain crop.

Some of the fertilizers that can be used for plantain farming include the following:

NPK fertilizers

Single Super Phosphate Fertilizer

Urea

Potassium Humate

Boron Fertilizer

Calcium Magnesium Nitrate Fertilizer

Potassium Nitrate

Potassium Sulfate etc.

Potassium nitrate and muriate of potash are the best fertilizers for plantain farming in Nigeria.

13) Pests and Diseases’ Management

Plantain as a crop is affected by pests and diseases like:

Rhinoceros Bettle

Aphid

Nematodes

Viral Diseases

Fungal Diseases

Leaf Rot

Bacterial Wilt

Fusarium Wilt

Root Rot etc

These pests and diseases can be managed with the use of fungicides, insecticides, nematicides and acaricides etc.

14) Harvesting

Plantains are ready for harvest after 8 – 12 months of planting the suckers. Harvesting is usually done with the use of cutlasses and sickles.

The plantain bunch is usually cut at the point it holds on the plantain tree. Plantain bunches can be sold in the open markets in Nigeria.

15) Processing of Plantain Products

Plantain can be processed into the following:

Plantain Flour

Plantain Snacks

Plantain Beer

Animal Feed etc.

16) Marketing

Plantains are usually sold in the open market in Nigeria. They can also be sold in supermarkets and other places of commerce.

You should start the process of marketing before harvesting your plantains.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a One Hectare Plantain Farm in Nigeria

The cost to start a one hectare plantain farm is detailed below:

Acquisition of one hectare farmland: N100,000 – N400,000

Surveying and Land Documentation: N100,000 – N200,000

Clearing, Ploughing and Harrowing: N70,000

Suckers: N100,000

Planting: N10,000

Irrigation: N300,000 – N650,000 (Optional)

Fertilizers and Manure: N20,000 – N100,000 (Depending on soil fertility)

Pesticides: N20,000

Others: N100,000

For a detailed analysis contact us : 09020469088 or WhatsApp us on 08073396538

12/02/2024

ORGANIC FARMING IN NIGERIA, CHALLENGES, BENEFITS, HOW TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF NIGERIA ORGANIC ECONOMY ?

ORGANIC FARMING IN NIGERIA.

Written by Esther Nwaopete Edited & Published by ANIL MATHEW VARGHESE to the Organic Consultancy of ORGANIL SERVICES

Organic farming represents a deliberate attempt to make the best use of local natural resources and is an environmental friendly system of farming. It relies much on ecosystem management which excludes external input, especially the synthetic ones. Ab initio, Organic Farming started in Nigeria in the 20th Century before it fizzled,then its practice mode was used by many other farmers of various ethnic groups in Nigeria, until the introduction of technology and chemical based type of agriculture.

This organic method of agriculture which was previously abandoned by Nigerian farmers is currently gradually being picked back up. The process was re-introduced into the Nigerian society about a decade ago. Organic farming is gradually becoming a common trend in the country again due to the further premium revenue attained vide the sale of farm yields. Although it has not been embraced as it should be, it has definitely made some progress.

Those who practice this method of farming in Nigeria are a small percentage of farmers. This is probably mainly due to the fact that, organic farming is yet to be properly acknowledged ,established and skyrocketed by the Nigerian government . The mode of farming gets its support mostly from Non-governmental organizations and private farming corporations. But these bodies are making more impact as the years go by.

Organic farming is no doubt the best way to improve the future of agriculture not just in Nigeria, but worldwide. Organic farming does not just center on crop production but also on animal production. This type of farming has several specifications which have to be met before it can be considered up to standard. Crop farming and animal production each have laid down requirements and methods with which farming practices should be carried out. Here, we shall consider Crop farming/production.

Organic Farming Practices (Crop Production)

The basic farming rules discussed below applies to organic crop farming. When planting organic crops, the process should totally eliminate synthetic and chemical additions which could prove hazardous to humans and the environment.

1. Healthy Soil. This is the bed rock to the success of organic farming, in cases where it’s the reverse, soil amendments with natural origin should be done for restoration of soil nutrients and structure.The natural health of the soil should be the priority of organic farmers at all times. For this reason, synthetic fertilizers and crop enhancing chemicals are not to be applied to the soil before, during or after planting as the use of Chemicals end up polluting natural water supplies as the chemicals eventually end up in water bodies like oceans and rivers.

2. Practice Of Crop Rotation And Cover Cropping: Crop rotation is a farming and cultural practice where different types of crops (especially from different families)are grown cyclical on a particular piece of land over a period of time(annually, biannually or perennially). This method helps maintain soil-nutrient balance because, while some crops may require certain nutrients from the soil, some other crops on that same soil could help deposit and thereby replenish these nutrients. Crop rotation could also help in the prevention of pest and plant diseases. Cover cropping is another farming practice which helps in repairing the soil; it replenishes the soil of its lost nutrients, help fight against diseases and pest, protects the soil against wind and water erosion. It can involve planting seasonal cover crops like oats, wheat, and rye to help heal, protect and improve the general health of the soil.

3. Organic Bio - Pesticides :The use of inorganic pesticides in any form is prohibited in organic crop farming. Synthetic pesticides have been proven to contaminate these crops. This in turn could be harmful to the consumers of these food crops. The pesticides which are allowed to be used in organic crop farming also have to be organic in nature. Various types of organic bio pesticides containing the required spices, herbs and fruits can be mixed made into a concoction and used to take care of the issue of pests.

Benefits of Organic farming in Nigeria.

1. Environmental Conservation: Organic farming promotes the use of natural resources and practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment. It avoids the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), reducing soil and water pollution and protecting biodiversity.

2. Soil Health and Fertility: Organic farming focuses on building and maintaining healthy soils. Practices such as crop rotation, composting, and the use of organic fertilizers help improve soil structure, enhance nutrient content, and promote beneficial soil organisms. This leads to long-term soil fertility and sustainability.

3. Healthier Food: Organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and GMOs, resulting in healthier and safer food products. Organic crops often have higher nutrient content and fewer pesticide residues, providing consumers with food that is free from potentially harmful substances.

4. Preservation of Biodiversity: Organic farming supports biodiversity by creating a favorable habitat for a wide range of plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms. It avoids the use of chemical pesticides that can harm beneficial insects and pollinators, contributing to the preservation of ecosystem balance.

5. Climate Change Mitigation: Organic farming practices, such as agroforestry, cover cropping, and carbon sequestration, can help mitigate climate change. Organic systems tend to have lower greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, and promote carbon storage in the soil, which aids in reducing the overall carbon footprint.

6. Economic Opportunities: Organic farming presents economic opportunities for farmers in Nigeria. It allows for the cultivation of high-value organic produce, which can command premium prices in local and international markets. Organic farming also promotes diversification and reduces farmers' dependence on costly synthetic inputs.

7. Food Security and Resilience: Organic farming systems often prioritize local inputs and resources, reducing dependency on external factors. By focusing on building healthy soils and diversified crop rotations, organic farming contributes to improved crop resilience, making farming systems more resistant to pests, diseases, and extreme weather events.

8. Improved Water Quality: Organic farming avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can contaminate water bodies. By minimizing the use of synthetic inputs, organic farming helps maintain water quality, benefiting both human health and aquatic ecosystems.

Problems And Challenges Of Organic Farming In Nigeria

Organic farming has encountered quite a number of setbacks especially in Nigeria. These challenges are the reasons behind its slow progress in Nigeria. Some of these challenges include:

1. Lack Of Organic Farming Resources :Nigeria is grossly lacking in this regard as there are hardly any facilities which manufacture organic foods, value added organic semi processed foods, nutraceutical plant origin, supplements etc. most often than not organic farmers have to find a way to meet the organic needs of their farms. Also, securing organic breeds of animals for rearing as well as organic seeds for planting crops in Nigeria is a rather difficult task.

2. Low Public Awareness : Quite a number of people are not aware of organic farming practices in Nigeria. Neither do they understand the importance of organic farming to human health and the environment. This is perhaps a major challenge organic farming faces in Nigeria. A consumer who is not aware of the process and importance of organic farming will hardly seek out these products.

3. Low Level Of Production

Due to the difficulty in meeting the adequate requirements for organic farming, only few people are willing to venture into this kind of farming in Nigeria. Fewer farmers venture into organic farming on a commercial scale. Therefore the production of organic goods in Nigeria is quite low is the understanding but the reality is that the yields in Organic productions are quite high where the survey can be taken statewise farmers never have indulged in fertilizers or use of chemical pesticides.

4. Fear Of The Risk Involved : There are more than enough products and services available for inorganic farming practices while there are few available products and services for organic farming in Nigeria. A lot of money is required for organic farming and should anything go wrong, the farmer stands to lose quite a large amount of money. A lot of farmers would prefer to stick with what they considered to be safer grounds rather than bear this risk.

5. Inadequate Government Support

So far the Nigerian government has not upgraded or advanced contribution budget to encourage organic farming practices. One of outstanding efforts into the Organic Agriculture is by NOAN Nigeria. NOAN stands for the Nigerian Organic Agriculture Network. It is a national umbrella body for organic agriculture in Nigeria. NOAN serves as a platform to promote and develop organic farming practices in the country. The organization works towards creating awareness about organic agriculture, providing training and capacity building for farmers, advocating for policies that support organic farming, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the organic sector.

Critical or Prime lacking is the Nigerian Organic Standards which will clearly attribute for the Organic farmers or Food business Operators to understand the guidelines or policy of undergoing this system and lack of statewise Organic Certification body which shall be cheaper in operation than other third country certification bodies. Nigerian Farmers or FBO are to be certified by framed Nigerian Certification body for the citizens.

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28/06/2024

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