Tips On How To Start And Run A Banana Farm in Nigeria
The level of banana consumption in Nigeria particularly and the world, in general, should point to the fact if you start and run a banana farm, you will be in for great profits.
As we already know, Agriculture forms a sizable part of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It contributes about 40% of our GDP and, of course, employs the highest number of people.
Nigeria is blessed with good lands and can produce anything in the various parts of the country. To start and run a banana farm is synonymous with starting and running plantain farming business. When you look at certain things like how lucrative is plantain farming in Nigeria, go through plantain farming manual, examine the plantain farming business plan and other key things, you will find out that it is same with how to start and run a banana farm in Nigeria.
You will be amazed that when you look at the largest plantain plantation in Nigeria, it will be same as the largest banana farm in Nigeria.
Having established that fact, I want you to know that it is quite lucrative to pursue a banana farm in Nigeria. Wikipedia has it that banana is the fourth largest agricultural producers in the world. Does that ring a bell in your head? If it was not profitable, would countries and individuals waste so much time producing it?
One interesting part is that you won’t have to keep weeding every 2 weeks and you only have to plant once. It multiplies and you keep reaping the rewards. It is quite easy to run compared to farming of other products that will take time to run.
In this article, we shall explore facts and benefits of banana farming and the guide on how to start and run a banana farm properly. We intend to help you make up your mind on whether you will do this or not.
Related: How to successfully start a plantain farming business in Nigeria
Facts And Benefits Of Banana Farming
According to Edon of startuptipsdaily.com, the following are the benefits of banana farming. The facts are also included.
Also read: How to start a rabbit farm in Nigeria
- Banana trees are the world’s tallest herbaceous plant. They can reach 20 feet in height. “Herbaceous” means there is no woody stem and all the plant matter above the ground dies at the end of a yearly cycle.
- Banana contains potassium-40 which is a radioactive isotope of potassium.
- Over 100 billion bananas are consumed annually in the world.
- Bananas can help with weight loss and digestion. They are high in fiber, which can help keep you full.
- Bananas are picked unripe green and exported this way.
- Bananas are composed of 75% water, despite their firm texture and rather dry mouth-feel.
- Bananas may be helpful in preventing kidney cancer because of their high levels of antioxidant phenolic compounds.
- Bananas don’t grow on trees. Rather they grow from a root structure that produces an above ground system.
- There are over 1000 different banana species in the world today.
- Banana plants are often mistaken for trees or palms – they are actually herbs (startuptipsdaily.com).
How To Start And Run A Banana Farm In Nigeria
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Research banana farming
You cannot successfully start and run a banana farm or banana plantation or banana production without necessarily understanding what the business is all about. It is not really possible. You will need to take some type and take some theoretical and practical knowledge of the business before you venture into it.
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Write a banana farming business plan
You will need to have a business plan that will enable you to start and run a banana farm. It is very important because it gives an idea of how to handle the logistics. Your business plan guides you on the scale of operation, the cash flow, the farm maintenance, marketing strategy and other important aspects of the business.
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Get a suitable spacious farmland
Banana growth is better in some soil and some temperature. Your research will reveal all of that. All you need to do is choose the best soil for the banana farming project. Banana plants best grow in tropical regions where the temperature is at an average of 80° F (27° C) and the volume of rainfall yearly is between 78 and 98 inches.
The loamy soil is the best for growing banana. It needs to be rich, fertile and dark. More so, the soil has to have relatively steady moisture in the ground and air and there has a great drainage.
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Choose the banana breed
The banana breed you plant is a very important determinant of what you want to achieve when you start and run a banana farm. Your research will show you the breed that does well in a particular region and how you can handle that breed. It will also tell you the most profitable breeds and this will help make the right choice.
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Plant the banana
Edon of startuptipsdaily.com has this to say about planting your banana. I agree totally and I want to share it with you. According to him,
“You can acquire a banana sucker (small shoot from the base of a banana plant) from another grower or plant nursery. During planting, the following should be considered:
- The best suckers to use for your banana plant are usually around 1.8-2.1m in height and have sword-shaped leaves that are thin, although suckers that are small should work fine if the main plant is healthy
- If the sucker is still attached to the main plant, remove it by cutting downward with a shovel. Include a reasonable portion of the underground base and its roots that are attached.”
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Take care of the crops
The crops do not require daily attention but you need to pay regular visits to the crops to understand how they are doing. If you don’t have constant rainfall, make it a point of duty to water them regularly as this will make them firm and juicy.
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Harvesting
You will harvest your bananas after 75 to 80 days from the time of flower production. At that time, the fruits will be 70 to 80% mature. Note that you can harvest your plantain at different levels of ripeness pending on the usage.
You will use a knife to cut the hands off. Also, cut off the stem as it will not produce another one.
In the final analysis, you should know that you will decide when to start and run a banana farm. It is quite profitable and it doesn’t take up time and energy as other crops will probably do. It doesn’t in any way suggest that you won’t do the needful. We wish you best of luck.
