Nigerian agricultural industry is on a rise, and while pineapple farming in Nigeria isn’t necessarily the first thing you think of when considering farming, it is one of the quickest developing branches of agriculture today.
Pineapple production in Nigeria is relatively easy to join and promises great rewards for newcomers. Find out everything you need to know about planting pineapples, an undoubtedly profitable business in Nigeria.
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1. Why a pineapple farm?
Out of all Nigerian fruits, pineapple may not be the most commonly used one, but once you start learning more about farming business in Nigeria, you will realize that there is a huge market for pineapples.
Pineapples are sweet, nutritional, and can be used in a variety of ways in home cooking. Moreover, pineapples are regularly purchased in bulk by food manufacturers who turn the fruit into various beverages, sweets, baked goods, and other food products. That way you can rest assured that you will always be able to find the buyer for your pineapple plant crops.
2. Where and when to plant?
Perhaps, the most important decision you’ll need to make when starting a pineapple plantation in Nigeria is the choice of a land. You can buy or lease your farmland, but, if you’re having doubts about the size of the land, it’s best to go slightly bigger rather than smaller – then you’ll have the opportunity to effortlessly grow your farm.
The soil for pineapple cultivation needs to be sandy and rich in nutrients. Moreover, the soil needs to have a steady supply of water and have great water retaining abilities. Plus, pineapples simply thrive when planted in a naturally humid area.
The time for planting the pineapple is also crucial for the success of the business. Normally, the pineapple season in Nigeria starts at the beginning of the rainy season, so that, once planted, the pineapple tree has at least several months of adequate water level in the soil.
3. How to grow a pineapple
It’s clear that you can’t start a pineapple business without knowing how to plant a pineapple. There are several common ways to plant the pineapple:
- Planting seeds from overripe fruit will definitely work, but you can expect new pineapples only after a few years.
- Planting the top of the pineapple chopped from the fruit into the soil is by far the quickest method to get crops.
- You can also plant the side shoots from the pineapple plant, although this method requires some time to bring results too.
4. How to start a pineapple farm
Here are the steps you need to take in order to become a successful pineapple farm owner.
- The first step for establishing a blooming pineapple business is a pineapple business plan. Your business plan should include a feasibility study, a research on the competitors, the finances and expenses, marketing, and legal aspects of the business.
- Pick the species of pineapple you want to farm. Some species are known for looking perfectly ripe yet tasting sour, while others, especially the Smooth Cayenne and Golden Yellow or Pure Gold pineapples, are guaranteed to produce sweet-tasting fruits.
- Choose the farmland, prepare it for planting if necessary, and plant the pineapples. Fertilize the soil regularly to supply the growing pineapple plants with the necessary nutrients.
- Take care of the plants and soil all along the duration of the growing period. Use the right kinds of herbicides and insecticides, as well as various protection against birds and fungi in order to not lose your crops to pests or plant diseases.
- Harvest the crops when they’re ready, inspect them to remove any spoiled or irregularly-shaped fruits that are not suitable for selling, and sell the pineapples to individual buyers or bulk sellers.
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