Ozonna:


I cultivated 4 hectares of maize dis year. Harvested it this July and made quite a loss which I must confess is my fault because I was an absentee farmer who handed over my farm to a guy that claims he's an expert consultant. At the end of the day I made a loss. I'll still return next year sha.

However, I've learnt so much already and this is what I learnt.

1. Always make sure that your farm is not too far from the market

2. Never be an absentee farmer. Make sure your farm is close to where you live and if its not, rent a house in that village. If you must be an absentee farmer, then tell the person that will takia of the farm that you are willing to give him 5-10% of the net profit if the maize does well (I might do this nxt year cos my leased farm land is in the east)

3. Don't manage money. Make sure you have enough money for weeding (2ice), fertilizer (2ice),labour. etc

4. If you want to maximize your profit (maize), try planting early maize or late maize. One of the reasons I made a loss was because of my timing.

5. There is more money in selling fresh than threshing and bagging it.

6. Know the right herbicides/pesticides to use and how to use them.

7. Pray to God for a favorable weather. After my 1st fertilizer application (which is 2 weeks after planting), rain no gree fall for like almost 2weeks

8. Pray to God to turn away Fulani herdsmen from your farm . The week I was supposed to harvest, a Fulani herdsman was butchered to death by one of the locals because the Fulani man and his cows scattered the local's rice farm. I postponed my harvest by 1 week to allow things to cool down before the Fulani men think that i'm from the village and attack me when im harvesting.

These are the few things I can remember for now. Truth is that there is so much money to be made from Agric. I'm still getting experience and working hard/saving money because I hope to go back and start an Integrated farm in the near future. Cheers

Lesgupnigeria:
Great topic!
We are Located in Ogun State and are Into crop production mainly maize,cassava, watermelon,vegetables and cucumber.
The season of maize is between March15 - May 15. therefore the season of planting maize is gone except you want to invite Loss.Late planting is in August.
Agriculture is the most profitable business any unemployed graduate can venture into.
We also manage farm for people interested in agriculture. Our Maize Plan is as follows:

STAGE 1:
Land lease " #5,000
1st Ploughing #8,000
2nd Ploughing #8,000
Hybrid Seed/hectare #5,000

STAGE 2:
Planting #3,000
1st Weeding #9,000
Fertiliser #5,500
Application #4,000

STAGE 3:
2nd Weeding #9,000
GNLD #8,000
Application #4,000
Insecticide #6,000
Application #4,000

TOTAL #78,500
The target yield is 3tons/ha.
1ton sells for #60,000,Now multiply 60,000*3 = #180,000.Your profit =180,000-78,500 =101,500 within 2months.
We can help you get land for rent @ #5,000/hectare in Ogun State.
We also consult for both crop production and animal production.Crops like melon,cassava,maize,vegetables,Tomato and cucumber
We also consult for poultry,fishery,piggery
For full proposal you can contact:
The Farm Manager,Gbenga:
08101148992, 01-7910494 or yusuffgbenga@gmail.com
Also like us in www.facebook.com/Lesgupnigeria

sheyi86:
Pls where can i get hybrid maize to plant.thanks

megainvest:
Hello business minded people. I am pleased to inform you that our maize farm has now started up fully. In summary, over 7 hectares of farmland was cultivated within a month. Target yield is 3 tons per hectare. In 3 months, it is expected that we can inject about 20 tons of maize into the global market.

I would encourage young entrepreneurs to go iinto agriculture. You are welcome to join me on this thread to discuss this and other issues. Foremost on my mind is the marketing of this harvest.

Thanks

SlyIg:


Hello, please I was actually going through google to see if I can get some help and I saw your topic on nairaland.
I need to ask you please Cos I saw this topic about maize cultivation. I have a little vegetable garden that I planted maize. It has been growing very well and healthy until caterpillar starting eating up the the leaves and the shoots all through.
I've been so sad about it as this happen to be my very first time of my cultivating anything.
Is there any chemical you know that can help me kill those caterpillars without causing any damage to my crops please
Thanks

SlyIg:


Hello, please I was actually going through google to see if I can get some help and I saw your topic on nairaland.
I need to ask you please Cos I saw this topic about maize cultivation. I have a little vegetable garden that I planted maize. It has been growing very well and healthy until caterpillar starting eating up the the leaves and the shoots all through.
I've been so sad about it as this happen to be my very first time of my cultivating anything.
Is there any chemical you know that can help me kill those caterpillars without causing any damage to my crops please
Thanks

FarmTech:

..
Those are stem borers. They affected my maize too. Early comtrol with an insecticide is the best. Spray the pesticide inside the middle part of the maize bc that's where they normally stay.

Lesgupnigeria:

It is very possible to harvest maize in 2months' time from time of cultivation to time of harvest.Where are you located to give you the nearest IITA centre address.

Chrisiyked:
Truth be told for anyone to be successful in maize farming you need the following.
1.high yield seeds. Preferablely one that gives yields above 3tonnes per hectare.
2. Know the appropriate seed quantity per space. I, e for open pollinated seeds 20kg per hectare and for hybrids 15kg per hectare.
3.spacing. your loss will be compounded if you dont space properly. I. e 25 cm in between stands and 75 cm between rows. For efficiency avoid manual planting. Hire a planter.
4. Fertilizer. Fertilizer can be applied in 3 split applications as follows at planting, four weeks after planting and a third at six weeks to eight weeks. Use Npk and and urea. For efficiency budget a minimum of 4 bags per hectare. 3npk 1 urea.
5.ensure your farm is free of weeds from the 3-10 leaves stage. Generally make sure ur farm is free of weeds.
6 avoid land prep manually. Use a tractor as follows. Ploughing and harrowing if youre using a planter.
7. Use a powerful pre and post emergence herbicide two days after planting then follow up with weeding as necessary.
8. Harvest only when maize has dried fully, for better accuracy shell at 150days. This is to avoid losses due to Mycotoxin growth during storage.
9. Selling dried shelled maize is by far more profitable than selling fresh. In Niger state where I farm by November a bag was sold for 11,000. I will be happy to entertain more questions and look forward to your success this farming season.

Chrisiyked:
Truth be told for anyone to be successful in maize farming you need the following.
1.high yield seeds. Preferablely one that gives yields above 3tonnes per hectare.
2. Know the appropriate seed quantity per space. I, e for open pollinated seeds 20kg per hectare and for hybrids 15kg per hectare.
3.spacing. your loss will be compounded if you dont space properly. I. e 25 cm in between stands and 75 cm between rows. For efficiency avoid manual planting. Hire a planter.
4. Fertilizer. Fertilizer can be applied in 3 split applications as follows at planting, four weeks after planting and a third at six weeks to eight weeks. Use Npk and and urea. For efficiency budget a minimum of 4 bags per hectare. 3npk 1 urea.
5.ensure your farm is free of weeds from the 3-10 leaves stage. Generally make sure ur farm is free of weeds.
6 avoid land prep manually. Use a tractor as follows. Ploughing and harrowing if youre using a planter.
7. Use a powerful pre and post emergence herbicide two days after planting then follow up with weeding as necessary.
8. [b]Harvest only when maize has dried fully, for better accuracy shell at 150days. [/b]This is to avoid losses due to Mycotoxin growth during storage.
9. Selling dried shelled maize is by far more profitable than selling fresh. In Niger state where I farm by November a bag was sold for 11,000. I will be happy to entertain more questions and look forward to your success this farming season.

Chrisiyked:
Truth be told for anyone to be successful in maize farming you need the following.
1.high yield seeds. Preferablely one that gives yields above 3tonnes per hectare.
2. Know the appropriate seed quantity per space. I, e for open pollinated seeds 20kg per hectare and for hybrids 15kg per hectare.
3.spacing. your loss will be compounded if you dont space properly. I. e 25 cm in between stands and 75 cm between rows. For efficiency avoid manual planting. Hire a planter.
4. Fertilizer. Fertilizer can be applied in 3 split applications as follows at planting, four weeks after planting and a third at six weeks to eight weeks. Use Npk and and urea. For efficiency budget a minimum of 4 bags per hectare. 3npk 1 urea.
5.ensure your farm is free of weeds from the 3-10 leaves stage. Generally make sure ur farm is free of weeds.
6 avoid land prep manually. Use a tractor as follows. Ploughing and harrowing if youre using a planter.
7. Use a powerful pre and post emergence herbicide two days after planting then follow up with weeding as necessary.
8. Harvest only when maize has dried fully, for better accuracy shell at 150days. This is to avoid losses due to Mycotoxin growth during storage.
9. Selling dried shelled maize is by far more profitable than selling fresh. In Niger state where I farm by November a bag was sold for 11,000. I will be happy to entertain more questions and look forward to your success this farming season.

Jideams:
Nice one