How To Start Agribusiness In Nigeria

Overview of Agribusiness

Nigeria has a huge agricultural potential and the agribusiness is just among them. Agriculture consists of plant and animal farming. You may choose to rear animal farming. You may choose to rear animals or cultivate crops.

Planting and harvesting and extracting of green resources are all components of agriculture. This article tells you how to start agribusiness in Nigeria.

Agricultural business in Nigeria consists of:

1. Subsistence farming

This type of farming let’s the farmer utilise the farm produce within the home and this is without selling them.

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2. Commercial agriculture

This means cultivation of plants and animals for marketing purposes.

Facts Of Agriculture In Nigeria

a. There are many categories of crops like yam, maize, millet, beans and others. However there is need for more cultivation and production.

b. Agriculture contributes more than 20% of the Nigerian GDP and this can be increased with more cultivation. Nigeria is among the top 10 producers of cassava in the world for the example and country exports this crop

c. There is increase in the Nigerian population and also need for more agricultural production. Nigeria was once an agric giant but the emergence of crude oil have put Nigeria at a proper place in global agriculture.

In as much as Nigeria tops the list in oil exploration and production, they can still top the list again in agriculture. However the government is trying to bring back and tap on the agric potential of Nigeria.

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Steps To Start Agribusiness In Nigeria

1. Do some research

You first research on the business branch you intend to deal on and find out the potentials. Research and feasibility studies will tell you the market potentials of that business.

2. Select the livestock or crop

You now choose the livestock or crop to cultivate. Choose crops that do well in your area and the same thing applies to the animals. Check how conducive and how these crops and animals perform in your area.

3. Get land that is adequate

Obtain land that is conducive for farming and lands with high agro potential. Ensure that you check the land properly and then confirm whether you have to do much land improvement.

Also ensure efficient water supply through irrigation or rainfall. If you have to buy land, ensure you are not dealing with fake land sellers or fraudsters.

More On Land

Some lands may require doing land improvement. One of the methods of land improvement is to apply fertilizer and manure.

These things help to promote land quality and you can apply that technique. Once you get your land you have to prepare it and this is among the first stage.

You can use heavy machinery for clearing and ploughing. Land needs phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Nevertheless nutrient needs depend on the plant type and add some supplements when necessary.

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Selecting the seed

Seed selection depends on certain factors and they include pest resistance, disease and high yield capacity.

Planting your crops

Many methods of planting exist and this depends on the crop you are cultivating. Planting depth, spacing and so on are among these factors. Plant your crops in nursery, farmland or on ridges. Some post planting activities comprise of weeding, fertilizers, irrigation and mulching etc.

Harvesting your crops

This is the last stage and after this the farmer can market the products. Make the necessary arrangements and market accordingly. Get provisions for storing since some of the crops are not durable and can get lost. Preserving your crops is an integral part of farming and ensure that you do this in an effective manner.

Categories of farming

Crop farming

This involves cultivating different categories of crops like yam, maize, cocoyam and others.

Animal farming

This is the rearing of animals. Options exist for poultry farming, catfish farming, cattle rearing and snail farming.

Broiler Breeding Poultry

These animals are reared for their meat and the broilers actually grow in a fast manner. The best periods for rearing these animals are during Easter and Christmas and there is much demand during such periods.

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Breeding of layers

This is for the production of eggs and the span of the layers is 2 years.

Production of feeds

You may become a producer of feeds and market the feeds to the farmers.

Specialist on hatchery

This is the place for hatching birds or chicken and you can market them to some poultry farmers. Ensure that there is maintenance of the hatchery to proper conditions since this will promote the health of the birds.

Equipment for poultry

This service let’s you market equipment and items of poultry.

Consultant for poultry

You can become a consultant through offering advisory services and tips to poultry farmers.

Factors To Consider For Animal Rearing:

a. Land and space

You may begin rearing animals within your backyard but you will need a large space for commercial purposes.

b. Waste disposal

Ensure proper disposal of animal waste and these animal waste can be applied to crop farming. Market them to crop farmers or use them on your farm.

c. Lighting source

The animals need heat and light. You may utilize lamps or rechargeable devices when electricity is not available. The animals like poultry need the light especially at late evenings and at night. Younger animals like chickens need more light and you can have access to more light.

d. Storage

There is need to store the animal feeds, vaccines and also the eggs. Ensure that proper storage takes place and this will help to reduce loss.

e. Feeding the animals

A chick of a broiler consumes up to 20kg within 6 weeks from the beginning and this is a factor to consider before buying feeds.

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f. Housing the animals

This type of farming depends on certain factors and you may utilize the battery cage, deep litter and free range system. For the free range system the animals move freely in an area and this is among the basic methods.

However there is need for an efficient housing method and this applies for commercial farming. Deep litter system let’s the floor to have a layer of saw dust and the birds stay within a house. The battery cage system classifies animals according to type and categories.

Conclusion

Nigeria has a high agricultural potential and starting an agribusiness is one way of tapping into it. You may choose crop or animal farming or both and this article is a guide on starting this business.

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