Alternatives to Cucumber and Tomato
I heard about 3 people who landed in hospital last/thisweek (heard about new lady this morning ....lol) because of cucumber challenges. If anyone tells you it is easy without workers, he is telling you lies.

1. Most don't use mulch, weeding is hard if you don't have enough workers, or you do not know how to handle them well
2. Most wait till after sowing before they start staking. Not funny.
3. We are all not used to bending down while working. Staking crazily affects ones back. It is why many are asking if they should stake or not, or prune or not.
4. Fertilizer side application is not an easy job if you are not used to it. Personally, I use fertigation. My workers always bless me. After basal application, I get into side dressing only during flowering if I notice I need more phosphorus. So, how can you survive applying fertilizer every week? Applying even weekly is waste of money this rainy se as on cos it gets washed away. Be wise.

Egg Plant
The purple color variety sells at premium price. No stress with this crop. It gets bigger the more the rain fall and as long as you can fertilize it often.

Zuchini
One of my favorite till date.A bag goes for N15k at times. Kinda delicate like cucumber but you need fewer plants to make it. 1 to 5 bags weekly can do the trick. Add the bags to other products you are taking to market. This is how I used to do it.

Cauliflower
More profitable than cabbage, but more difficult ultimate to produce. You need shade to enjoy it. Honestly, this is super rewarding.There is one man that till date always stop to greet me if we meet in the market, or elsewhere. I consult him on cauliflower now but I introduced it to him. He has become do good in it. He makes good profit. I detected a small market which collects 1 piece at minimum of N600. And I handed this market over to him. This guy has expanded the market lol. So, whenever I want to do it, I just let him know, and the funny thing is, he always downsize his own, which I did not realise until one of my workers told me. I stopped asking him the day I realised it. Why should I disturb him when I have alternatives. But the man appreciated what I did for him. I can reveal any secret to such person.

Golden Melon
Pests are the main challenge. And there must be no bruise on the body while harvesting it. Once you see one with briluise, kindly let your people eat it. My boys used to "injure" some melons intentionally. lol. Quite rewarding also.

Okra
Still my favorite. There is market for lady finger. Though, I have exhausted all mine, I am sure if you search well, you will get.

Radish
Plan your garden in a way you can harvest max of 6 bags as per week. Move it to market along with your other products and you will never regret it. This is a life safer, and so fast like cucumber. Same as zuchini.

Greenhouse
Greenhouse is "bloo.d money". So says two guys I shared the tricks with. Greenhouse is not only tomato. Let me educate you, except you can supply grocery stores, do not attempt tomato. Cos many always think of tomatoes when we talk about greenhouse. Then, you start hearing "BigBeef" is over N2,000 per kg in Shoprite. Then, why don't you go suply them? lol. Noooo! It is "SmallPork" you should cultivate. hahahaaa. If you spend N10 million naira on its construction like I advise someone recently, and you get the right covers, microbes, seedlings (not seeds), design, you will make your cash back within 6 mths to 1 year. You will be shocked. Let the most stubborn bacterial Wilt bombard your land, as soon as you can do soil test, leave it to me, that bacteria will never infect your plants, I assure you. Let others be complaining of fruitflies, aphids, thrips invasion, if you get the right cover, you will be spraying only garlic, ginger, and pepper mixture....those tiny insects are banned from your nethouse. As long as you maintain below 30C which I have solutions to, you will produce super high quality and extremely high yield. And we will keep humidity under check too. It is not guess work, you will use meters to measure these parameters. This is how to get it done well, and not buy ovens from one company here (and you still buy it very expensive, most people using their products have abandoned their greenhouses, even I have seen people advertising here they want to sell their kits....lol,why will they not want to sell those ovens. 40C+ temp inside the greenhouse. That's crazy). And if you use your hands buy inferior Chinese products, goodluck ooooo. 5 people are presently discussing greenhouse option with me, and non of them buy my idea. Well, those who did otherwise some years back returned. They always return. If you have money to install it, I encourage you. It is "blo.od money" indeed.

Op pls permit me to ask this question. The idea of planting gynoecium wt a monoecium/predominantly male while d latter is planted few days ealier to achieve better pollination in cucumber

How is d minor (d monoecium) planted? randomly or to surround d major plants? I mean what s d planting arrangement like?
Also, is hand pollination really necessary wt respect to d arrangement?

OluchiDelly:
Op pls permit me to ask this question. The idea of planting gynoecium wt a monoecium/predominantly male while d latter is planted few days ealier to achieve better pollination in cucumber

How is d minor (d monoecium) planted? randomly or to surround d major plants? I mean what s d planting arrangement like?
Also, is hand pollination really necessary wt respect to d arrangement?

Uniformity is the KEY. Just watch how bees move on your farm, and you will get the idea of how to do it. My style may be different from yours. But I let there be uniformity for easy access for the bees to the males..Some varieties come with monoecious already, so watch out else, you will harm your yield if you do not know. And those that come without given you signs to identify them should be tossed away no matter how good they say they are. Exactly the reason I tossed away Darina to focus on parthenorcarpic.

If you have to stake, prune, and you want to add hand pollination, you will kill your back. lol. Let bees do their job. Let butterflies enjoy your farm. They are good pollinators.

But if you find hand pollination interesting, I encourage you to move a step forward into hybrid seed production. It is worth travelling to Isreal, US, Holland, India, or Thailand for a course on it. Do not bother wasting your time with do called institutions here. But if you are a friend of any doctor or professor in Nigeria, just stay your but here and stick with him. Those guys know more than the people you want to meet outside Nigeria. You will learn more from them by talking to them, than attending general training. Farming veggie is an interesting science subject for me. Not only the business area. Cos many are pushed into it cos of money. I do not attend accept old people or pensioners again. They are not productive. They are only looking for income for themselves. So, I am not sure why they are alway encouraged to go into Agriculture after retirement. To do what? They wanna use old age to farm, when they should have established cash crop plantations in their middle ages like their fathers did through Obafemi Awolowo. What is 60 years and above trying to do on farm? Well, I do not doubt some who can fig deep, but most of them want consultants that do not know jack. And these set of people are stubborn. They have ways of manipulation consultants to their will. I don't deal with such set of people again. Never and Never! Farming has taught me so much about human beings. Forget the holiness they portray in Mosques on Fridays, and in churches on Sundays. Most people are dem.ons, selfi.sh, and sel.fcentered.

Can I have volunteers
So as to show how possible this is, maybe you guys should volunteer to carry out my style, and let them post as many pictures as they want here....not just my style. I use nutrients that are affordable, but expensive for many. So, I will give incredible discount for the volunteers. I am not in a position to go to any farm now. But if you can take instructions via chatting apps, you have enough manure, you can dedicate 25 to 40 days to prepare your manure and turn it to fortified compost, you can use mulch, you can use drip, you can send samples of your soil so I can just check (not soil test, but another quick check which is another trick I learned from a Japanese), get in touch for either tomato or cucumber. And let us display it here. Lastly, you must have cultivated cucurbits or Solanum families around 2 to 3 years last on that spot you want to use. Most of you have destroyed your land and the environment with continuous mono-cropping.

If you qualify, and you are interested to show all readers this, hook up with me within 24 hours. That's all I will say here.

As I am wrapping off this thread, and deliberating making the thread go into archive for those who can dig deep to search it out, and read. Not everything is for the general public. This is my believe. Knowledge has a way of sinking down deep so that the most hard working can only search it out.

Good Day all and well-done to the OP, its such a nice thread you have here.

Please I want to make a passionate appeal to all the learned farmers in the house, I've learnt allot from many of the post here on nairaland, but I need a farm where I can gain practical knowledge of vegetable farming here in Lagos, going out of Lagos is not easy for me now since I live and work in Lagos.

Please kindly link me with any Lagos based farm that you know.

God bless you as you help a brother.

austinomd:
Good Day all and well-done to the OP, its such a nice thread you have here.

Please I want to make a passionate appeal to all the learned farmers in the house, I've learnt allot from many of the post here on nairaland, but I need a farm where I can gain practical knowledge of vegetable farming here in Lagos, going out of Lagos is not easy for me now since I live and work in Lagos.

Please kindly link me with any Lagos based farm that you know.

God bless you as you help a brother.

You can only visit farm for siteseeing in my honest opinion. Most likely the manager on farm is not that knowledgeable, or may not really share much with you. And how long will you stay there since you work. Oga, settle for 3 crops and research everything about them. Create a learning atmosphere at your backyard. Start posting pictures on this forum for suggestions, directions, and ideas. Most importantly, read about the crops you are interested in first. I did not go under any supervision of anyone before I got started. The approach I used was "German German" like we call it. lol. A be real hustler in growing in knowledge.

But if you insist on learning in a farm for practical sake, be prepared to pay money, or you are willing to start doing yes sir, yes ma there, or poll work like a laborer. And after graduation, it does not mean you will be good in it. I kniw many people who went for training, but came out clueless. And some others went there and refined their creative mind.

If you need to know how to get started by yourself, what to buy, what to research on, how to go about it, you can get in touch. However, uou should continue your search for practical on farm if you believe that is exactly what you need.


Best of luck!

Blessings!

Pistotita:


Uniformity is the KEY. Just watch how bees move on your farm, and you will get the idea of how to do it. My style may be different from yours. But I let there be uniformity for easy access for the bees to the males..Some varieties come with monoecious already, so watch out else, you will harm your yield if you do not know. And those that come without given you signs to identify them should be tossed away no matter how good they say they are. Exactly the reason I tossed away Darina to focus on parthenorcarpic.

If you have to stake, prune, and you want to add hand pollination, you will kill your back. lol. Let bees do their job. Let butterflies enjoy your farm. They are good pollinators.

But if you find hand pollination interesting, I encourage you to move a step forward into hybrid seed production. It is worth travelling to Isreal, US, Holland, India, or Thailand for a course on it. Do not bother wasting your time with do called institutions here. But if you are a friend of any doctor or professor in Nigeria, just stay your but here and stick with him. Those guys know more than the people you want to meet outside Nigeria. You will learn more from them by talking to them, than attending general training. Farming veggie is an interesting science subject for me. Not only the business area. Cos many are pushed into it cos of money. I do not attend accept old people or pensioners again. They are not productive. They are only looking for income for themselves. So, I am not sure why they are alway encouraged to go into Agriculture after retirement. To do what? They wanna use old age to farm, when they should have established cash crop plantations in their middle ages like their fathers did through Obafemi Awolowo. What is 60 years and above trying to do on farm? Well, I do not doubt some who can fig deep, but most of them want consultants that do not know jack. And these set of people are stubborn. They have ways of manipulation consultants to their will. I don't deal with such set of people again. Never and Never! Farming has taught me so much about human beings. Forget the holiness they portray in Mosques on Fridays, and in churches on Sundays. Most people are dem.ons, selfi.sh, and sel.fcentered.

Can I have volunteers
So as to show how possible this is, maybe you guys should volunteer to carry out my style, and let them post as many pictures as they want here....not just my style. I use nutrients that are affordable, but expensive for many. So, I will give incredible discount for the volunteers. I am not in a position to go to any farm now. But if you can take instructions via chatting apps, you have enough manure, you can dedicate 25 to 40 days to prepare your manure and turn it to fortified compost, you can use mulch, you can use drip, you can send samples of your soil so I can just check (not soil test, but another quick check which is another trick I learned from a Japanese), get in touch for either tomato or cucumber. And let us display it here. Lastly, you must have cultivated cucurbits or Solanum families around 2 to 3 years last on that spot you want to use. Most of you have destroyed your land and the environment with continuous mono-cropping.

If you qualify, and you are interested to show all readers this, hook up with me within 24 hours. That's all I will say here.

As I am wrapping off this thread, and deliberating making the thread go into archive for those who can dig deep to search it out, and read. Not everything is for the general public. This is my believe. Knowledge has a way of sinking down deep so that the most hard working can only search it out.

I am interested.

Thanks for your amazing and timely response, I like the way you outlined your points in a simple way, I've actually enjoyed this ur thread but I can't say I understood everything since some of the terms seems complex for a beginner farmer.

I will heed to your advise as I already have access to about 2 plots of land.

Please consider me as one of your new student or mentee from now on, I will send you a PM to get your WhatsApp number or email address(whichever one can be used to get you real fast), so I can be getting real time advice when I need them urgently.

Once again thanks for your timely advice.


Your new student.

Pistotita:


You can only visit farm for siteseeing in my honest opinion. Most likely the manager on farm is not that knowledgeable, or may not really share much with you. And how long will you stay there since you work. Oga, settle for 3 crops and research everything about them. Create a learning atmosphere at your backyard. Start posting pictures on this forum for suggestions, directions, and ideas. Most importantly, read about the crops you are interested in first. I did not go under any supervision of anyone before I got started. The approach I used was "German German" like we call it. lol. A be real hustler in growing in knowledge.

But if you insist on learning in a farm for practical sake, be prepared to pay money, or you are willing to start doing yes sir, yes ma there, or poll work like a laborer. And after graduation, it does not mean you will be good in it. I kniw many people who went for training, but came out clueless. And some others went there and refined their creative mind.

If you need to know how to get started by yourself, what to buy, what to research on, how to go about it, you can get in touch. However, uou should continue your search for practical on farm if you believe that is exactly what you need.


Best of luck!

Blessings!

Thanks for your amazing and timely response, I like the way you outlined your points in a simple way, I've actually enjoyed this ur thread but I can't say I understood everything since some of the terms seems complex for a beginner farmer.

I will heed to your advise as I already have access to about 2 plots of land.

Please consider me as one of your new student or mentee from now on, I will send you a PM to get your WhatsApp number or email address(whichever one can be used to get you real fast), so I can be getting real time advice when I need them urgently.

Once again thanks for your timely advice.


Your new student.

Pistotita:


You can only visit farm for siteseeing in my honest opinion. Most likely the manager on farm is not that knowledgeable, or may not really share much with you. And how long will you stay there since you work. Oga, settle for 3 crops and research everything about them. Create a learning atmosphere at your backyard. Start posting pictures on this forum for suggestions, directions, and ideas. Most importantly, read about the crops you are interested in first. I did not go under any supervision of anyone before I got started. The approach I used was "German German" like we call it. lol. A be real hustler in growing in knowledge.

But if you insist on learning in a farm for practical sake, be prepared to pay money, or you are willing to start doing yes sir, yes ma there, or poll work like a laborer. And after graduation, it does not mean you will be good in it. I kniw many people who went for training, but came out clueless. And some others went there and refined their creative mind.

If you need to know how to get started by yourself, what to buy, what to research on, how to go about it, you can get in touch. However, uou should continue your search for practical on farm if you believe that is exactly what you need.


Best of luck!

Blessings!

Pistotita:


You can only visit farm for siteseeing in my honest opinion. Most likely the manager on farm is not that knowledgeable, or may not really share much with you. And how long will you stay there since you work. Oga, settle for 3 crops and research everything about them. Create a learning atmosphere at your backyard. Start posting pictures on this forum for suggestions, directions, and ideas. Most importantly, read about the crops you are interested in first. I did not go under any supervision of anyone before I got started. The approach I used was "German German" like we call it. lol. A be real hustler in growing in knowledge.

But if you insist on learning in a farm for practical sake, be prepared to pay money, or you are willing to start doing yes sir, yes ma there, or poll work like a laborer. And after graduation, it does not mean you will be good in it. I kniw many people who went for training, but came out clueless. And some others went there and refined their creative mind.

If you need to know how to get started by yourself, what to buy, what to research on, how to go about it, you can get in touch. However, uou should continue your search for practical on farm if you believe that is exactly what you need.


Best of luck!

Blessings!

austinomd:
Thanks for your amazing and timely response, I like the way you outlined your points in a simple way, I've actually enjoyed this ur thread but I can't say I understood everything since some of the terms seems complex for a beginner farmer.

I will heed to your advise as I already have access to about 2 plots of land.

Please consider me as one of your new student or mentee from now on, I will send you a PM to get your WhatsApp number or email address(whichever one can be used to get you real fast), so I can be getting real time advice when I need them urgently.

Once again thanks for your timely advice.


Your new student.

I have replied your email. I will send you a procedure you should follow. I don't charge for such service. I used to take a token in the past, but I have stopped it. However, you will need to buy materials like seeds, chemicals or organic stuff. I will also give you some contacts so you deal with them directly. Mine is to see you excel in your new passion. However, the greater % of all rests on your shoulder.

Managing vegetables is real science to me..For example, someone contacted me yesterday and asked me cocoa Fertilization procedure. I checked my archive and saw a 12 year chat of all major nutrients for cocoa, and sent it to him. That is the answer. But interpretation is the challenge. And he said he wants to do it himself. as he can research it. Waooo, I simply replied him that he need to understand the basis of chemistry like molar mass calculation so as to be able to formulate mixtures of fertilizers. lol. I guess it was a bit confusing for him. And since then, I have not heard from him. lol. The other option is just pay someone to do it for him. lol.

Well, I will do my best but the truth is that if you are reading secrets from professionals, they can just tell you only Nitrogen requirements for the crop. But if you understand nutritional management, you will formulate others. They can say 2nd week, give your crop 1kg Nitrogen. Lol. You must be able to know how many kg NPK or Urea is needed to supply 1kg of Nitrogen. The total weight of 1kg Nitrogen in Urea, NPK 20 10 10, NPK 15 15 15, NPK 20 20 20, all differ. Most will not tell you to use 3 teaspoon of NPK bla.bla bla. lol. So, how do you interpreted such? If you are the type who is good with arithmetic, you can work with me easily. Well, if I see that you are not good in it, I will give you the formulation, but believe me, you have limited yourself. In this Agric I have applied thermodynamics, Newtons law, Kirchorv's law, Sperposition theorem, Forces, Quadratic and Simultaneous equations, vectors analysis, even applied mathematics, etc..I have balanced chemical equations like I used to in high school...lol. And guess what, I always start with book keeping, accounting and marketing. Cos marketing moves sales. A farmer without marketing and accounting skill is limited. But you don't need details of them all, you just need ideas. And you are good to go so bro, I use science. If you think you are up to it, then, you can reach advance stage with me. Otherwise, I will just give you protocols and you keep using them. If you can follow routines, them you are good to go too.

There is an Israeli named George who works with Hazera. The guy is with over 35 years experience. George is a master of vegetable farming. Infact, when he talks about Shanty, you just wanna use that variety. I will send you some of his answers to my questions, and other answers he gave some other people. You must be able to interpret them. I am saying this cos you mentioned that I used technical terms Well, you need to know them sir so that I can give you accurate information without any distortion.


Bless you sir!

Lagos State can make more income from Farm produce than from transportation and Housing

How did Gowon win Ojukwu during the Biafran war? One man saved him. He is Chief Obafemi Awolowo who understood the negative impact of hunger. Food production can never be a bad business.

How did SW become so competitive before the era of oil?
The same Chief Obafemi Awolowo developed cash crop production in the region.


Why is Lagos State slacking?
I have points and strategies which the state can use. Lagos is blind to some high income businesses. OK Let me ask you this again: How does Jagaban always win election? Using boys installed at market places. Installation of kings and queens in market places called "Baba-oja, and Iya-Oja". I hope I get the names right. No man can be the enemy of these 2 things - water and food . Fela knew about it before he sang "WATER no get enemy".


Osun State killed the opportunity of becoming No1 Food producer, and the most influencing state
First, I am not proud of the kind of governors people elect. I mean, these people are just not for the people. I am going to publish a book soon about a man who I believe was poisoned in 2014 in Osogbo, some days after he arrived the city. Why? Cos he was a threat to the incumbent and others. He actually held on to his plan of industrializing Osogbo because the people are not appreciative. And he told me that unless he became the governor, he cannot put into play more contributions. In his own words he said: "All these governors are wasters". This was an ambassador representing the United States, but Nigerian by birth. A teacher, a senior economist adviser for Wilmington, DE. The man single handedly took Ata-Oja of Osogbo and his chiefs to cultural exhibitions organised in the US. He expected them to use the opportunities themselves and the people of Osogbo, but these people were about themselves only. After his death, the family wanted him buried in Osogbo, but the children cried, and the major of Wilmington pulled strings together with his brother to move his lifeless body to the US for the befitting burial he deserved, where major road leading to the city were almost blocked with police escort piloting his lifeless body in a casket to his final destination. If he was buried in Nigeria, his grave will be heap of dirt by now, except he's buried in one of these private cemetery in Lagos or Abuja.

We both made a well laid down plan for Osun. He kept asking me to look into hiding opportunitues the state can make use of. What does the state have? Absolutely nothing, except Agriculture and gold mining business. If Ilesha can develop the gold mining business, it will be a very rich state. Anyway good luck to Osun State. And we can even see how the ex governor treated civil servants like trash, and he is even pressing to become a minister. Nigeria can never be good unless we change our way of life. When you choose a man who knew nothing about your state as governor, you get such result. The ex governor was a commissioner in Lagos. He knew absolutely nothing about the state, yet they voted him in. No wonder he spent more time in Lagos than in Osogbo. Nigeria is a real funny land. Yet, people go to church to pray for Nigeria. Wasted time. lol!

Lagos, the city with huge market for everything
Hausas always come in numbers to sell their products in Lagos. The revenue Ibos generate in Lagos is enough to turn their states into super power. But it beats my imagination why Ibos are aggressive at times with their host. Well, I understand them, it is normal..And I understand Yoruba too. Yoruba is totally blind.

While most SW, SE, SS states are talking about cash crop exportation reviving which will not come to reality, Lagos has no business with it. Lagos is huge market itself. But funny enough, the state has been able to put a hold of logistics business which it us still under utilized. Yeah...moving human being is a big business, but moving farm produce is a bigger business. I just wish someone can make Sanwo-Olu choose a very advisory board who will integrate Agricultural businesses into every other sector. Yeah. Food is not a stand alone business It cuts across all other businesses. He needs a good strategist, and not a glorious agricultural expert without good business initiative. Let the agricultural man stay on field, he cannot connect other sectors to benefit from creating farms. All he knows is about production. But a real brain will connect these opportunity to other sectors to create a very big pool of opportunities.

I took statistics of the amount of rice Mushin residence eat monthly, and I lost it. What? And Lagos State is not seeing this opportunity? Was it not Ambode that partnered with another state in the north to produce rice, but I cannot even see 1 bag of the rice allegedly produced. lol. Not saying they do not produce, but who ate them? Where were the produce sold? Who sold them?


Vegetables, fruits, and other crops are bigger businesses than poultry
If you observe well, Lagos State is always about teaching new people poultry all the time. Why must it be only poultry? Poultry is not even rewarding as crops. And if you look closely at their pouktry and fishery programs, they are always sub-standard. Yet, they always mention billions to execute them.

Lagos has shown he is capable of arranging good logistics system. Also, Lagos has shown it can pull out tax from any retailer whether in the market, by the road sides, or even in front of his house. So, how the state cannot take opportunities in vegetable, grains, and fruits production in commercial sizes still beats my imagination.

I laughed hard when I saw one governor in a 6-plots cassava land, and he is not ashamed. Anyway, it is well.

Perhaps, one day, I will finally put together how SW, SS, and SE can make farming lucrative. But first, Lagos State is "dulling" itself, and should be helped. The idea is to create working farms all across SW and NC owned by the state, so that they can move food to wholesale selling (modern closed markets for wholesale buyers only) points all across the state. Mind you, I call these market women wholesale buyers. They all do not have to go to Mile 12. If there can be modern centers all across the states, it will be easier. They should go pick fresh vegetables and fruits in cold rooms near their shops or kiosks so that the products stay only max of 48 hours outside cold rooms before sales. This is how to give Lagosians fresh food. Trust Jagaban, he will install kings and queens at the wholesale selling centers. lolz.

I have statistics of sales in major markets. I understand the frequency of supply, and how often lorries move in and out of the city. Why can't Lagos get into the business by creating farms, logistics, and wholesale selling points. Then allow modern farmers take up farms. They just produce and leave logistics and sales for another set of Lagosians who will manage the areas. Honestly, more than 100,000 jobs will be created through this method in the first phase. This method can create over 3,000,000 jobs by the time it is 30% - 50% implemented. And it is achievable in 4 years. Then after, we start commission our research institutes to come up with seeds for tropics. We will dominate Western and Eastern Africa like we used to. They all respect Nigeria. If we start getting it right, do not be surprise that Malaysia and Thailand will offer to build with us. Why? They Bo send us, they just know we are brilliant, and they need ideas. Same goes with the United States. So, you all think if it were another nation Nigeria is, the G8 will still reckon with her? But Nigeria will alway be Nigeria. A nation meant to be greater even than the US. Nigeria is an eagle, but corruption has presently reduced her to a chicken. We need to replace the Nigerian coat of arms from eagle to a chicken.

So, you understand why I am not into commercial farms. The resources are not there for a single man to do it efficiently. I stopped looking into cash crops production too because I realise there is more money in vegetable production. (I am going to create a thread for cash crops soon..I understand every Naija in diaspora only thinks crop farming is cash crop, yeah...I used to think this way too before my eyes were opened. I will write about using vegetables to launch into the world of cash crops).

Greenhouses solve over monitoring of vegetables
Tropics covering production structures are not what China gives. Only Israel understands us better. China is about sales. Stop going to purchase nets, structures, etc on alibaba. You will wreck yourself. Except you know what you are really looking for. I wrote spec for drip irrigation some months ago, and people who read that post still thank me till date. Also, I have seen improvement in what importers move in. Before, it was only 30cm emitters spacing with 0.2mm thicknes...but these importers have started moving in better products because users are beginning to demand the most appropriate spec for our weather. I thank God I can be useful and make life easier for farmers.

Please, never contact me if you are an adviser of Babajide Sanwo-Olu because you will not get my attention. It is Mr Babajide himself I will report to directly (not even the commissioner of Agric) if I will release anything or help anyone. It is applicable to other states too. And if the Federal government wants me, I report directly to the president or the vice president who is the chairman of the economic team. Whoever is in charge of thr economy is wjo I have business with. I respect Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala That woman is a real brain. And even I give it to the present vice president. Osinbajo is a brain. The economic is my focus and not just agriculture. But I can use agriculture pull other areas to boost the economy. Once I hear you are a minister's secretary or commissioner's senior adviser, I do not allow you finish before I drop the phone, and block the number permanently. I have done it countless of time. I will not work for some selfish people who want to use the project for their selfish interest which is to rise to power. And after, they dump the initiator.

I wish you well my people. Happy new week.

I wish Seun well with this poka and bet people. They open new accounts daily. And they flood good threads and every front page. Well, this should be a concern for you too sir to find a way to start using modern social media styles of eradicating duplicate accounts, and discouraging anonymous accounts. All anonymous accounts should be restricted, while verified accounts should have unlimited access. This is the way to go about it. Frauds will be eradicated on your website too.

Good luck sir.

I wrote the above cos of the post above this particular one. I hope it will be deleted soon.

Thanks once again, God bless you for taking it upon yourself to dish out such valuable information.

I don't know why i can't send you my own message on NL

Please this is my whatsapp number and email address: 08139293592 austinomd@gmail.com, just send me a hi with your whatsapp number so that i can save it and communicate with you better.

Seems you have allot of knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics, well that is gold lol i can also balance chemical equations and whatever arithmetic required in farming, i just have to stop being lazy now and i'm good to go.

Thanks allot for your time.

Pistotita:


I have replied your email. I will send you a procedure you should follow. I don't charge for such service. I used to take a token in the past, but I have stopped it. However, you will need to buy materials like seeds, chemicals or organic stuff. I will also give you some contacts so you deal with them directly. Mine is to see you excel in your new passion. However, the greater % of all rests on your shoulder.

Managing vegetables is real science to me..For example, someone contacted me yesterday and asked me cocoa Fertilization procedure. I checked my archive and saw a 12 year chat of all major nutrients for cocoa, and sent it to him. That is the answer. But interpretation is the challenge. And he said he wants to do it himself. as he can research it. Waooo, I simply replied him that he need to understand the basis of chemistry like molar mass calculation so as to be able to formulate mixtures of fertilizers. lol. I guess it was a bit confusing for him. And since then, I have not heard from him. lol. The other option is just pay someone to do it for him. lol.

Well, I will do my best but the truth is that if you are reading secrets from professionals, they can just tell you only Nitrogen requirements for the crop. But if you understand nutritional management, you will formulate others. They can say 2nd week, give your crop 1kg Nitrogen. Lol. You must be able to know how many kg NPK or Urea is needed to supply 1kg of Nitrogen. The total weight of 1kg Nitrogen in Urea, NPK 20 10 10, NPK 15 15 15, NPK 20 20 20, all differ. Most will not tell you to use 3 teaspoon of NPK bla.bla bla. lol. So, how do you interpreted such? If you are the type who is good with arithmetic, you can work with me easily. Well, if I see that you are not good in it, I will give you the formulation, but believe me, you have limited yourself. In this Agric I have applied thermodynamics, Newtons law, Kirchorv's law, Sperposition theorem, Forces, Quadratic and Simultaneous equations, vectors analysis, even applied mathematics, etc..I have balanced chemical equations like I used to in high school...lol. And guess what, I always start with book keeping, accounting and marketing. Cos marketing moves sales. A farmer without marketing and accounting skill is limited. But you don't need details of them all, you just need ideas. And you are good to go so bro, I use science. If you think you are up to it, then, you can reach advance stage with me. Otherwise, I will just give you protocols and you keep using them. If you can follow routines, them you are good to go too.

There is an Israeli named George who works with Hazera. The guy is with over 35 years experience. George is a master of vegetable farming. Infact, when he talks about Shanty, you just wanna use that variety. I will send you some of his answers to my questions, and other answers he gave some other people. You must be able to interpret them. I am saying this cos you mentioned that I used technical terms Well, you need to know them sir so that I can give you accurate information without any distortion.


Bless you sir!

I really want to write about gardening (not for profit), but not sure how to go about it. Don't know if I can get suggestion on how to do it?

Pistotita:
I really want to write about gardening (not for profit), but not sure how to go about it. Don't know if I can get suggestion on how to do it?

Pls do it here for us if possible
I have been a silent reader of your posts and I must confess it has moved me higher..
May God continue be with you amen

Konafas:


Pls do it here for us if possible
I have been a silent reader of your posts and I must confess it has moved me higher..
May God continue be with you amen

The challenge I am having is that it is 100% organic which I developed myself. Seeds are not treated with chemicals, and they are a bit expensive. It's an open secret as most can be bought online. Fortifying them is the challenge because they are low yield heirlooms breeds, but pure without cross pollination. They are extremely sweet. For example, my tomato paste tastes so delicious, thanks to Italian ancient plum tomato. Big beef beafstake is cool, but there are superior ones I have tried too. Cherry, grapes and tomatillo are my favorotes. And most are indeterminates which means I had to install stakes which many commercial farmers do not want to do. It's a different concept and approach. Building a mini greenhouse with special net (not Chinese anti viral nets), with proper shading is necessary which many do not want to do either. I am not sure how to go about it..

TOMATO: 4 strategies to achieve above 40 tons per acre
Ok. I will just continue profitable tomato instead of gardening here till I find my way around it, but will round up this thread soon. I usually do not publish the info I am posting here, but I just feel like doing it.

1. Seed Cultivars
I have mentioned the kinds of seeds I go for; however, someone still asked me to kindly give him examples. Just to be clear, there is no perfect cultivar. The following are cultivars I am looking at presently which I want to work on with partners.
a. Newton by Syngenta
I was introduced to this variety by a friend, and he has made good profit from it.
Fruit size: 140g - 165g
Maturity: 75 - 85 days from transplanting
See attached image.

b. Shanty by Hazera
Details in picture attached. It has some special features appealing. But there are better varieties, but are not available for farmers yet. Plum.

c. BHN L002
Slicing which produces over 70 fruits of 280 grams average weight.

d. Rock from Philippines
Attached is the picture of the fruits and characteristics of the cultivar. Plum

e. 90 tons per acre slicing from China
I am presently discussing with the breeders to know if to include this. Slicing

f. Rio Grande
The only OP in the list which I am trying. Can we achieve 40 tons per acre? Plum

g. Juliet
Award winning grape plum that is amazingly great. Not sure of the acceptance in Nigerian market though. Can produce 120 fruits, but small grape plums.

I have ruled out all Arka series since there are too many fake products all over India, and online stores are even carrying those fake products. The breeder told me that they do not authorize anyone to sell online. So, these ones are off my list. I will not use my hands buy trouble, and introduce diseases from uncertified seeds to my farm.

Also, I am not trying anything with more than 4,000 population per acre; therefore, most common ones are off my list. I am not trying anything East West, Technisem, Enza, RZ, Lions, Sakata, etc. But maybe I may find something interesting from Sakata. I am not saying these varieties are bad, but for my style, they do not fit into this year. I stopped using them after I found my way around bacterial wilt, nematode, fusarium, and Verticillium.

Interestingly, none of these varieties I opt for resist bacterial wilt, and I think only Juliet and Rock are able to resist blight. So, I am going to use the 3 others strategies below to fight these diseases. In addition, our pilot will determine the best approach to abiotic stress management.

Our target: 70 to 130 tons per hectare. 20 to 60 tons range is permitted as everyone cannot be in the same league. Even we do not get to 20, we are still better than many farmers out there.
Staking is necessary and we will prune partially some cultivars

2. Microbes
It took me years to look into microbes, but I am glad I eventually did. There is this farmer friend I was always talking to in those days, and he kept mentioning a particular family of microbe. I just discarded it, and I felt microbe is microbe. lol. So, one day, I was trying to buy a product and the seller told me to add a particular strain of microbe which was the slogan of my friend. I asked why? And she told me that it will boost the plant. In addition, she gave me the contact of the right person to talk to if I want to purchase the strain. By the time I finished with the microorganism expert, I left more confused than I met him. But I picked ideas from our talk, and I started researching them. Note, the guy refused to give me the details cos he said that is the secret that gives him money, and makes him more relevant. Hmmmm! Of course, I learned that too. After knowing the subject well, I call it microbes too. Lol.

I stumbled on the details by luck, and I grabbed it
While I was cracking my head on how to do it, I ordered from the man and guess what? The difference was clear. I also got my friends strain, and it was a blast. Similar outcome. That was how I got a microscope to even check these two strains from these two guys. And guess what? They were same. While my friend gave me free, I bought it from a Chinese man. lol. This man knows his stuff mehn. I do not mind buying, but importing these special microbes is big problem. Honestly, until you go deep into some areas is when you know that Nigeria is strict with moving some things in. And it beats my imagination how Boko Haram guys move in weapons anyhow. It means that insiders are involved. Cos you cannot beat Nigerian quality check officers at the port of entry easily. From my experience those guys are just something else....lol. But just common $50 always make them misbehave. However, the day their heads spark, with your millions of dollars, if they mean to fight you, just know you are dead. So, I always make sure my papers are intact. Even when travelling, I prefer having only hand luggage. I stopped checking in luggages many years ago after I saw how one guy collected just ordinary bottled water from a stranger, and it turned to something else. When I realized that my luggage can be easily opened after check in, I stopped using luggage. That was like 4 years ago before this Saudi Arabian girl saga. Just myself, my papers, and my hand luggage. Simple. If I need to send goods, I use other means. Of course, I can load the whole world if returning to Naija.

So, I met another guy who proposed to sell me the database of strains after like 7 months. I was like....great. When I heard the price, I went to my bed cos it was after midnight I negotiated with him. This guy wanted $50,000 for the database. I was like.....that is giving this dude 1kg 18 carat gold. lol. But I kept the guy in my contact wallet. Few months passed, and I got a whatsapp message from him. My Chinese friend needed some Nigerian herbs. I hurriedly got the local names, went to market, bought them, and told him to give me $65,000 for it. Hahahahaha! The guy shouted, while it was my turn to laugh. Now, I have what to bargain with. That was how I settled for paying him around $2,300 (of course it was lower by the time I removed the amount I sold hers, and dhl cost) for the database cos I know if I do more "shakara" this dude might get someone else. Truly, the database was loaded. A family has many strains and there are too many families. But if I tell you how much I have made with the information, you will not believe it. My friend buzzed me some months later and asked me how much I had made. I laughed so hard, and he too. And I asked him how much he had made so far with the Nigerian herbs too. The guy told me that I am funny. But he must have made huge profit too, and till date, I respond fast to his requests. Chinese are too intelligent. I respect them. But only a "wayo" man can handle a "barawo". I did not see his first request as ripping me off. He was at an advantage and he took it. But when I had a leverage, I made him come down to my level. lol. If I bill you well well, it means I am at an advantage. Nothing bad in it. Business is Business. No hard feelings. You want it, take it. You don't want, leave it. But if you take what I give you, trust me, you will get much more from me at a rate you will just laugh and thank God you rolled with me. No one wants a friend like mosquito who is always sucking one's blood. Some people want it to be free everytime. You are just doing yourself with your stingy miserable life. lol.

Unusual uses of microbes
a) They fight diseases: What are you fighting? If you don't do soil tests, how can you easily know? So, if you know what you are fighting, you find a strain which can eat those organisms, or render them impotent. You innoculate manure with some, innoculate roots with some, and you spray others. Not just any microbe, but those particular microbes needed for your plants.

b) They promote growth and higher yield: Some make your plants absorb more food by elongating the roots of your plants, some binds to the roots, while others break down nutrients faster in the soil or in the planting media for easy absorption.

c) They create good atmospheres for worm: Some microbes allow worms to produce themselves at high rate. And this is what you need for natural soil tilling which produces good amount of oxygen down the earth so that your plants have healthy roots.

Trees do better with microbes
Gone are the days trees are cultivated without irrigation. I think it is in Nigeria farmers still depend on rain. Trees mulched, irrigated regularly with fertigation, and have the right microbes in the soil perform wonders. Of course Microbes flourish even when inorganic fertilizers are used in the right quantity. I do not have a perfect solution for organic orchard. But does it even make sense economically if one does not have a special market for it? It is like saying you want to supply open market, and you are doing organic, does it make sense economically?

Microbes do better with micronutrients
I have not seen a complete organic micronutrients product, so the only option left is to use salts around. Chelated compounds used properly are not proved to be dangerous. Well, for my garden, it will still be without them as I will.opt for very rich compost tea... lol. Except you constantly bombard your plants with compost or manure, they will not get enough if you rely on all the so called super micronutrients organic formulars which are also sold at high cost rate. The only difference is if those contents are high in microorganism that are beneficial for your plants.

Not every kind, but specific one
You cultured microbes from the forest, hmmmm....it is ok, it is good, but just know that you are multiplying the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. If you decide to take strains from your farm, you are multiplying Ecoli if it's in your soil, you are multiplying bacterial wilt if it is in your soil too. I don't use randomly made microbes because I just love my self.

Bio Technology and Genetic Engineering
These are two powerful tools which this world has just seen a micro fraction of their capabilities. GM seeds are just part of it. What about modified microbes? lol. Have you ever thought if you are buying diseases in the name of treated seeds? Which seed company in Nigeria sells organic seeds? Yet, you want to die on 100% organic commercial production. Is there anything like organic microbes? They are multiplied and modified in laboratories by genetic experts. Infectious diseases are man made mistakes in the laboratories. I am torn apart at times when trying to understand how possible 100% organic is. Yet, you just hear even educated brilliant minds talk about 100% organic like they do not even know it is almost impossible. Mulch is plastic itself. Is it organic? If you want organic mulch, be ready to buy wood chippers and cut down many trees. Thenafter, deforestation officer will definitely come for your head. lol. This world eh....we just complicate everything for ourselves. hahahha

Following with keen interest

3. Organic Farming produces better than Inorganic for small scale farmers
It sounds contradictory, but this is the honest truth. I avoid talking about chemicals these days because I learned that it does not work on the long run. Let us be honest, how many infections has antibiotics actually eradicated succefully? They suppress, and the disease return.

Note: Small farms are from 1 plot to some few hectares. If you aren't using tractors, your farm is small. This kind of farm is where I can confidently tell you that you will do yourself more favor if you start thinking towards organic farming.

Your soil is the foundation of high yield
If you doubt me, create just a small bed and create a very good habitation for microorganisms to reproduce well in it. I am sure that natural microbes will find their way inside a very healthy soil, but it will take time. This is why our fore fathers observe soil rest for some number of years. But in this modern world, there is no need for soil rest. So, if you can find help with the best microbes for your soil, and your choice of crop, go for it.

[b]Living organisms, thrive under dim light, in very cool temperature, and in a moisturized (not dry) medium. If you have ever lived in a temperate region, you should have noticed that diseases cannot function during winter (very cold), and during summer (hot), but they come out in full force when ice in the street is melting (favorable temperature for them to operate). It made more sense to me after getting the microbes database since I was about to research each strain I want to use very well. Most of them survive in cool temperture. [b]As soon as you clear your farm, you have already killed over 80% microbes (my estimation), if you proceed to burn your farm land, you definitely have destroyed life in your soil. And if you choose to not burn, but exposes your soil to heat and radiation from sun, your soil becomes lifeless in just few days.

What options are you left with? Usage of chemical prepared salts like NPK, Urea, Potash, etc that do not need microbes to work on them. Let me say it like this: Do we have huge population of fat Kenyans? Or fat Fulanis? Compare these people with Americans. Then put Ibos, Yorubas, or Zulus in the equation. Kenyans and Hausas are slim, Americans are fat, while the non greedy Yoruba, Ibo, and Zulu are just normal. If you see a fat Yoruba or ibo, the person eats too much. Just check them very well. While the Kenyans and Fulani eat mainly protein which cannot make them fat, but healthy and strong, the Americans eat fertilizers and just blow up (some do not necessarily eat too up). If you are in the Western world, have you noticed how you quickly grow grey hair? lol. Your skin may look very fresh, but you start noticing grey hair coming out fast, and you do not feel so healthy. Despite having good air there, you just do not feel very ok. Why? Too much toxins in your system from salts, sugar, pesticides, etc. Take detoxification serious since we cannot live in a chemical free world again.

Replicate the environment microbes love before deforestation
1. Dim light - mulch
2. Moisturize soil - irrigation and mulch
3. Non toxic chemicals - Avoid using chemicals in your soil after initial treatment, (doctors battles infection initially with antibiotics to suppress the organism, and build your immune systems to clear them off your system 100%). You can use salts but make sure you get the right ph favorable for your microbes, and also make sure you do not exceed the recommended TDS value. Therefore, in organic, you can still use salts (some kinds of fertilizers even urea). Is it not salts you use to correct ph even in cat fish management? lol.
4.Tropical heat tolerated cultivars fail if your soil temperature is extremely high. Let above soil be close to 40C, but if under your mulch is favorable for the roots and the living organisms, your plants will be ok. What is going to happen is that water will be supplied more to your plants, and transpiration will be extremely high. Since the soil temperature is low, I help my plants by irrigating them in the afternoon. You dear not try this with unmulched soil.
5. Make permanent beds.
Follow chemical usage instructions if using fungicides and pesticides on the leaves. But never use chemicals on your soil after initial treatment. It is safer and better to use no or less chamicals on leaves too. Using less densely plant population helps in organic, but may not be profitable in this country where no one cares to pay you more for producing organic, except you find the market for yourself.

What I spray instead of chemicals
1. Enzymes
2. Amino Acids (vitamins)
3. Preventive herbal tintures (I worked with a microbiologist to try many herbal formulars on strains of fungicides, trust me garlic and ginger do not kill most deadly ones. Thry even hardly work. I know these are common prescriptions). This is the area private consultation pays. As long as you can do different tests, and pay well for such service, you can get an expert to guide you. But if you choose to continue self prescription like we call it, good luck with your trial and error. And if you are looking for free deep information, good luck to you. You have read how I paid for a database I needed at a time. I still pay till date if I know you are good with what I need. And I pay very well. But you want it free, while I paid for it, you are not yet ready. So, better know how to dig deep. What I have in this thread is enough to set you on the right track, but it may take you even longer years than it took me. But I know the time spent on such is not a waste. But if you choose to fast track your journey, good for you too.
4. Micronutrients formular - I do not joke with it. I always use it. Better if you can formulate it yourself like me. What we have out there are mostly rubbish. Those ones will not destroy anything. It will kill your microbes gradually and silently. I fear more organic foliar spray than inorganic. I do not even want to know how much it works for you I just do not want to try most products from India, Thailand, and China. I do not want to. Better I go for chemicals than use them. If you cannot formulate, and you cannot buy, spray nothing. In my opinion, it is better than relying on all those products. Learn Nutrients requirements of your crops. Nitrogen always is used more, followed by pottasium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulphur (in the order listed here). Get the required dose for each nutrient and apply all daily, bi weekly, or weekly. It is a wrong approach to say apply potassium at this time, bla bla bla. You must apply all, everytime, in the right proportion, and according to the needs of your plants. Too much of any element is bad. Example, too much of Magnesium will lock calcium, potassium, and Iron in the soil, though they are there, but your plants have Magnesium toxins which will not make them absorb those 3 elements. And I believe it may result to Nitrogen toxin which creates dark green color. But there is no way you can spray Magnesium an results into toxin. Not possible. Toxin can occur only via fertigation, or side dressing.
5. I am going to be honest with you, I do not have organic solutions for viral infections which are deadly too. As soon as I try some options, and I see no result, I go with inorganic pesticide to arrest the situation. (I can only go on 100% organic under nethouse, and it is more efficient than the most potent pesticides)

Step back and look at yourself, and access yourself. Ask yourself "If I do not go to farm for a week, how will my state of mind be?" If you are sure of almost having hypertension, you do not own a business, but it owns you. So, why do 2 acres? Why don't you do what you can handle well? Just set up a small plot near you, and practise what I have preached here. Set it up in a way only you can work inside it without additional help. This is how you are to operate with your capital base. Over 95% of so called farmers are spectators but they want 3 ha so they can say they are farners. lol

If after reading my thread, and you still want to force your way through cultivating massive land area which you cannot afford, you are just killing yourself.

4. Grafting, Budding, Tissue Culture, Cross Pollination, and Biotechnology
These are my strongest weapons in Agriculture. They have improved my sense of reasoning. I might pursue double PhDs so I can include genetic engineering because I am so into it. I do not know how I will return to farm and manage workers anymore because working in a laboratory has taking my attention. And you can imagine an individual set up a lab in Nigeria. Passion pushed me. Not cheap at all. Not that I am rich, but when I know what I am trying to achieve, I do my very best. I feel for many, and it is why I give free info, but the truth is agriculture is needs huge capital. And since we know that and you want to do it with little captial, does it not make sense to cut away logistics costs? Take off the huge cost of travelling far away in the bush. It is too much. Find a plot or less near you, and do it very well. Or move to outside big cities, get a cheap accomodation, and walk to your farm. Start small but efficiently.

I have been collecting breeding lines seeds too just to make my own hybrids. It is about combining different traits in plants or animals to achieve a bigger goal. At the sound of GM seeds, some people frown. But the truth is that grafting is the same concept too. I need to be honest with you: Most hybrids are biotechnology products. I do not want anyone tell me that all these hybrids first generation we use are manually pollinated. Might be manual process is possible, but all these seed companies use bio technology, most especially the so called Asian organic seed companies. Not arguing with anyone, but after going into tissue culture which led me into genetic engineering, I know what I am saying. If East West or Sakata want to really prove anyone wrong, let them say the first generation lines (though, I know it is always top secrets which is acceotable) of greengo or that of Sakata cucumber. Where did they get the first generation lines? What were the initial traits? Please, let no one deceive you Human are small gods . There is nothing we cannot do if we are united. If you understand the power of genetic engineering, you will want to cryopreserved yourself. I see a situation body parts will be grown inside laboratories in the future. Yes, it is very possible since I don't underestimate the ability of man. You may see me too blunt, but I respect your view too. Therefore, we do not need to agree now, and we can part ways. But trust me, if I see you are the one right, I will return. And it is why I still talk to people who I diagram with even after big fight. lol. I do not keep malice. That is me. But I know people who can keep grudges for years. lol. We are all small gods.

If you check American websites that sell seeds online, uou will definitely notice that most seeds labeled organic are not just OP but heirlooms. East West, Sakata, and other Asian seeds can never pass as organic seeds there. So, what are we saying? You claim to be pro organic, and you criticize me for using Nemacides and fungicides in my soil. So, are the seeds you bought from Technisem naturally blue in color? So, you never thought that they were treated with chemicals? Those red, pink cucumber seeds from East West are not treated with chemicals? So, do you think they do not have impacts on the soil, or kill some microbes? Dear readers, it is extremely hard to be 100% organic farmer in this present time. Just take it from me.

All cassava cultivars from IITA are from bio-technology. Yellow, vitamin A cassava, vitamin whatever are all made from bio technology known as Genetic Modified Seeds. Simple as ABC. Almost all grains are from bio technology especially high starch maize contents and sweet corns. Where did corn get its sweetness from? Where did recent watermelons get high brix (sweetness) from? And they package it for you as normal seeds. Isolating microorganisms strains, replicating, and modifying are done with bio technology, and you use the end products as organic microorganisms. lol... But Monsanto which is very opened turned to everyone's enemy. I will rather use Monsanto seeds which I know I can scrutinize very well than Chinese seeds. Ha! Those ones with plastic rice. hehehe. No regulations in Asia when it comes to technology. Why do you think the US is after North Korea nuclear program? They do not know limitation and moderation in that continent. Just tell them what you want, they will give you more than you expect. lol. But funny they have very potent herbs there too. Honestly, I am aways torn apart choosing what to use, but God has always been faithful to me.

Grafting made it possible for a single plant to produce tomato above soil, and potato inside the soil. It is possible to grow garden egg and tomato on same plant, and possible yo grow Padma, Cobra, and Rio Grande cultivars on same plant. Therefore, I can manipulate it to my advantage, but limited in use because it is slow, and expensive. So, why not dive into tissue culture to make it easier, faster, and more efficient. And finally why not genetic engineering?

I frown against some procedures in gene manipulation, but it is an invaluable tool which has come to stay.

For my projects, it is only biotechnology I do not do myself. I always outsource it because I need more training in this area. I intend to use all others in the tomato project ahead. And I determine which approach to use based on the result of soil test.

The most important thing are:
1. The level of chemicals in food should be lower than recommended (not possible these days since farmers do not care again.)
2. Detoxify yourself constantly
3. Grow your own organic food.

I will check from time to time if there are questions here. It might be easier if I am mentioned so I get notification. And if your questions are private use: Pistotita19@gmail.com. From there, we can chat.

Bless you all


@tomtom15, kindly check the email you used to register nairaland. I have replied your messages. And drop your whatsapp through email..

@pistotita, thanks for d deep secrets. Pls sir i need ur take/education on watermelon especially with stake. Thanks

Juliana7:
@pistotita, thanks for d deep secrets. Pls sir i need ur take/education on watermelon especially with stake. Thanks

I believe you are looking for a way to do it yourself. I do not train in the usual way most farmers want (they call it practical in the bush, visiting farms so they can copy templates on farms). I don't take such people. I give out concepts, and I brainstorm together with partners. However, anyone who wants to get A to Z working principles should be ready to pay for it, and they are usually quality protocols.

Here is the concept:
1. All cucumber principles apply, except pruning.
2. Nutrition is vital
3. War against soil and air borne diseases is vital
4. Get your arithmetic and physics right and calculate the force needed to hold each section of your stakes. And go for quality materials.
5. Do it small cos it is expensive to do it big, but practice high population.
6. Rotate with other crops to make it valuable and very eficient.
7. If you can get rid of using soil, it is the best because you are going on high population. And then, you do not have to worry with soil diseases anymore. Even you have just rid off downy mildews spores accumulating in the soil with this method.
8. Work with market and let it tell you when to produce it.

Pistotita:


I believe you are looking for a way to do it yourself. I do not train in the usual way most farmers want (they call it practical in the bush, visiting farms so they can copy templates on farms). I don't take such people. I give out concepts, and I brainstorm together with partners. However, anyone who wants to get A to Z working principles should be ready to pay for it, and they are usually quality protocols.

Here is the concept:
1. All cucumber principles apply, except pruning.
2. Nutrition is vital
3. War against soil and air borne diseases is vital
4. Get your arithmetic and physics right and calculate the force needed to hold each section of your stakes. And go for quality materials.
5. Do it small cos it is expensive to do it big, but practice high population.
6. Rotate with other crops to make it valuable and very eficient.
7. If you can get rid of using soil, it is the best because you are going on high population. And then, you do not have to worry with soil diseases anymore. Even you have just rid off downy mildews spores accumulating in the soil with this method.
8. Work with market and let it tell you when to produce it.

welcome back to nairaland Mr S. A

220 grams Roma VFN Tomato Fruits

I am trying to get farmer's permission to post pics here.

Let me share the hurdles this man crossed.

1. Variety can resist just Verticillium, Nematodes and Fusarium Wilts. I am not sure of the nature of his soil, but the region where he did the pilot is known for having salty soil. Bacteria Wilt is common too.

2. Very fresh looking fruits. And with what he sprayed abd hiw he sprayed them, I am sure brix level will be super high.

This guy prepared his soil excellently. This is the main secret, and I keep telling farmers. Soil is the life your yield comes from . Get life inside it, and make it a well living condition medium for organisms. You are wasting money with chemicals which destroy your soil. Stop using herbicides. It is terrible for veggie farmers. Stop it.

He followed my principles,added his, and did more than I can imagine. He does not need to buy seeds again. He is free from Seed sellers slavery..Lol. I am going to start selling seeds soon. hehehehe.

Average yield per plant: 2.2kg (10 fruits per plant)
A plot can conveniently take 2,800 plants.

There is absolutely no reason to go 1 acre and kill yourself on the farm if you gat no worker. If you perfect your skill like this guy, and you could get 20 plants done with such success, all you need is to sit down and plan how to replicate your pilot for a plot. Calculate all your costs, and try to reduce the costs of production. Set in place risk management and recovery plan if things go south.

Minimum yield for this guy on a plot = 4.9 tons. If you can simulate raining season condition with your pilot....o boy.....you gat it. You are making a whooping sales of approx N900K on just that one plot. That's what people get on 2 hectares. Lol. I am not surprised at all. Get Knowledge, apply them with Wisdom, and then you can say you Understand it very well.


Modified: Pictures attached.

Just after modifying the above post (Roma VFN), I received 5 requests for investment offers. Please, I am not interested in taking money from anyone. Infact, I had some investment plans which was unsuccessful, but landed me in debts. When running investment farming plan, it is collaboration in nature. But when the team is faulty, the head is made to suffer the losses. Anyway, recovery plans are necessary.

I am not against investing in others; therefore, I can link interested people with farms, colleagues, or students who have passed through me. For example, if you like the tomato up there, and you want to partner with the farmer, it's your decision to make. I will not be liable for any loss just like how you will not invite me to take from your profit. lol

Just yesterday, an acclaimed farmer asked me to help him with marketing some products. And I told him the truth that I have contacts for all he is asking me, but I do not know his capability and consistency. He kept pushing it, but I was polite until he got my message clearly. We resolved to starting his own. I gave him tips how to market his products in his area. And he himself told me that it will surely work because he has tried somethings similar but not like the way we arranged it. And then, I told him to find the kind of attributes of the crops that really move well, and we will look for varieties that fit in.

So, I cannot link up anyone I do not know anything about. At the same time, it is left for the investor to investigate the proposal thoroughly. Also, I will not just listen to anyone with claims of having millions of naira somewhere. I will not link you up so you can go steal from farms. lol. It's a two-way approach. lol.

Thank you all for the emails and messages. It is my pleasure to serve you all well.

Good morning house!

What period of the year are cucumbers expensive and cheap and how much are they sold during that period?

Akposy:
Good morning house!

What period of the year are cucumbers expensive and cheap and how much are they sold during that period?

Two types of market for Lagos and Abuja.

1. Expats Market(Alpha Beit and minis): N300 - N600 or even more per kg. It fluctuates. It's more profitable but market share is slim. It is also more difficult and more technical to produce for this market. Seeds are very expensive too. This market is actually the inspiration for cucumber on this thread.

2. Open market (slicing): average of N500 per 40-kg bag. It fluctuates too.

My advice is that you understand your local market where you plan to sell. Carry out market research first. Do not rely only on the info you get here. Get out there and work it out yourself.

Best of luck!

Don't choose varieties based on the prices
I asked for some seeds in the category of the ones I am working on, and they are around N15,000 for 1,000 saladette varieties. Hazera is one. Some special seeds can be as high as N60 for one. Of course yes. And they might be more profitable than cheap seeds. But when there are cheaper alternatives, but a brand is expensive cos of its name, ditch it. Like I said previously, nothing special in RZ seeds. I can't use them. Technisem Cobra to me makes more sense, and quite affordable than it. And there is nothing special with Enza tomato seeds too. Perhaps, if I find a cheaper way of buying both RZ and Enza, I may consider them. But not now. And of course, Technisem is one of the brands that first moved in seeds with bacterial wilt resistance to Nigeria. Infact, East West was still in Benin Republic then. When they saw market in Nigeria especially in the north, no one taught them to move into the Nigerian market. But I think there is nothing special about most of their seeds if you ask me too. I don't really know why many always shout here like the brand is messiah. Nothing absolutely special. Just normal Thai seeds from Asia. You may not like my choice, it's ok. If you choose East West, Technisem, Enza, or even RZ, it's fine as long as you derive satisfaction with their products and services. I may not see other things you are benefiting. So, it's fine. What I know is that feeding 12,000 per acre is like 3 times feeding 4,000 per acre. And 4,000 per acre varieties might even command better market with better pricing, thereby give you higher profit. Just from my experience. Also, it is easier to use 4,000 bags than 12,000 bags on 1 acre. lol. The benefits are huge. The only disadvantage is staking.

Not how large the farm is but pricing matters
It is not compulsory to target rainy season. If the cost of dry season production is low, and the sales is reasonable go for it. You are not serious if you come on nairaland and start asking prices of commodities. Don't you know major markets in your area? And you want to farm. Infact, anyone who asks such stu.pid and irritating questions should not be answered. I answered previously cos I want to encourage people, but it's getting very serious as people keep loading me with that burden. It reminds me of the pepper farmer who said he noticed people are enticed cos of the figures. Please, stop it and stop asking me prices of this and that. If you are too lazy to go to market to carry out market research, you are as playful as grasshoppers on nairaland. If you are asking just to compare, it is ok. But using online answers to make decision is stu.pid. Are you selling online?

You may need to buy several packs of seeds which may cost from N900 to N50,000 each and use just few seeds inside. Lol. I do it many times, and by the time I return to the seeds again, they might have expired. lol If you cannot afford it, you are not ready to improve. You will be tied to same spot.

Roma and Rio Grande are OPs. I think you should pick them only for dry season after you have practised with them very well. You will be shocked how things can go wrong on farms. Why? You just don't replicate easily or conveniently your pilots. Things go wrong on farms. And it's only you who will understand. The more solutions you come up with, the better you become. This is why I asked you divide your farms into sections and keep improving. But dividing into sections comes with its own challenges too, especially diseases fast spreading from old plants to new ones.


Tomato is more technical, but less energy tasking than cucumber . Why are you all rushing into cucumber? Just that cucumber is faster. Yeah. I used to do it first on my new farms just to recover faster, and to introduce farmers to aggressive farming, so they do not become lazy. lol. To me, it's not worth doing cucumber continously on same land. By the time you move to other crops, you will realise how much you have limited yourself. Continuous production of a single crop on same land is just counter productive, bad agronomy practice, and extremely dangerous to the health. I believe you all did Agricultural Science in elementary school, and crop rotation is one of the basis taught there. Always practise it. I can imagine how you are terribly abusing chemicals by loading your crops to be free from pests and diseases. Honestly, I will never eat from your farm as soon as I notice that. That's gateway to cancer. So, everyone asking me of mono crop practice on same land has got the answer. The exception is using bags and nethousing. Even after some series, one needs to still rotate. Not just healthy to do same crop on same land area. You must break pests and diseases accumulation by rotation. You must destroy colonies of pests with rotation. Chemicals can control, but cannot destroy colonies. And you will definitely abuse it, injure, damage or kill consumers of your products.

I think I have covered all the questions received so far.

Failures over Failures outside Northern Vegetable Farming
- Listen to exaggeration on nairaland at your own peril
- Follow more non profit gardeners
- Find a close friend who knows the issues surrounding the industry. Success lies in solving those issues
- Be willing to discuss with many people

Vegetable production is the most profitable Agricultural Business in my opinion
Take a look at the north, that is where almost all veggies come from. Do you see them get involved in poultry and fishery like that? I am sure if it's so profitable, they would be the ones importing them to the south. Compare the ones producing meat, and the ones producing fruits and vegetables. I have met simple veggie men who wear white nature attire and black leather slippers only. But by the time you stay with him for 1 hour, you are going to think he owns a Bureau de Change business. lol.

Failure over Failure is what I read about daily
The only way out for you here is to form a working team, and put resources together. But this cannot work unless this generation is eradicated instantly and suddenly so they don't put the seeds in coming generations. So, how is it possible? I have met only 3 faithful farmers. And they all do not want to work with any other person. Lol. But recently, I am talking to them so the team can be strong. The price for me will definitely be finding fund to start, and still have equal share with them. FYI, I have been offered 50% share of a farm without 1 kobo from me, and I still refused the offer. What have we not seen or experienced?

Many of you are working in vain like your fore-fathers. How can a man value his time more than resources? You are absolutely s.ick for thinking you can irrigate even 1 plot efficiently with watery cans, keep weed off it, apply fertilizer regularly, all by yourself. You are s.ick. I don't get it when someone decides to waste his time, burn his energy, grow old faster because he refuses to spend on modern technology. Quit the business and find something else to do. Have you noticed farmers near cities are joining bike business these days? Manual farming is too tasking and waste of time. Paying too much salaries is just being stu.pid in my view.

N100,000 is just around $270. It is nothing. We do not manufacture here again, we buy and pay for shipping. Meaning we spend more than farmers in advance countries when setting up. Naira is so weak. Farming is in the same league with mining, oil and gas. Have you ever seen any rich small scale miner? If you do not own at least N1,000,000 I believe you are wasting your time. This is the truth. And if that is what you own and get into the bush, you will face so many challenges. That amount should be used for a small vegetable plot of land. I am beginning to feel many reading this post nodding in agreement. Why cultivate and have high blood pressure cos you are expecting rain? Why kill yourself over herdsmen dispute when you can avoid it? You claim they are destroying your land. ....lol. You are to be blamed. The people who leased the land are those using them. You knew before hand the area is with dispute, but you went ahead just because you must farm. Are you okay? You need to visit a psychologist who should lecture you on avoiding violences Peace is precious. Must you farm in a known violent area? Who is the real f00l?

Personally, it beats my imagination how people do not know how to quit at the right time. If you do not farm veggie, you will still survive. Quit vegetable farming if your capital base is not up to N1,000,000. I am telling you the truth. You are running a race that you will never finish or win. It's far better you lose and find something else, but when locked in it with the hope of a better tomorrow while you keep struggling daily alone in the bush like you came down from heaven without any relative, it is always too late when your senses return to their normal operating frequency.

No matter how much high you spend on quality set up and management, you will recover your investment easily
As long as you can manage your workers well, you will get huge profit. You alone can manage them easily. Good vegetables and fruits are extremely expensive in Nigeria. And farmers can always take advantage of lack of power to keep veggie for longer period of time. Until the day uninterrupted power is available to Nigerians, tomato and other fresh veggies will always be extremely expensive at some period of time in Nigeria. But it still does not mean tomato should be your focus. I have mentioned very expensive ones in this thread you can consider. Tomato is not the most profitable veggie. But it's a good one for small scale farmers during rainy sesson. But who can get it right? Like I said, watch out. Farms are going to start collapsing. Just let this continue for one more month....and let it continue till October, if tomato of 35kg is not N40,000....just wait and see. But if rain stops, many tomato champs "will make more mouths".

You may not get contracts with grocery stores, but you can easily work with their suppliers
You will still get good prices with this method. Most of their suppliers import from Cotonou and Lome. So, it's relieving when they get supplies nearby. But how consistent are you? You cannot be consistent with open field with that little cash you have. You better get minimum of 2 covered areas and start producing like a man who knows what he wants for himself.

If you like listen, if you like continue asking for chemicals, seed varieties, new fertilizers as if those are the reasons for your past failures. I can confidently tell you that I have saved many people from sorrows by telling them to their faces to quit farming, and they listened. Today, they are so glad I was bold to tell them the truth. But I noticed that the ambition is always there even after they left it, so let me say, they stayed away temporarily while they source for the appropriate fund to set up very well. And at the sane time acquire knowledge to excel.

Good luck to you if you are not tired of struggling in the bush. I wish you well. And be careful if you are new and if you think it's the way out of the financial crisis you are presently in. When you were rich, you did not think of farming veggie, but it is when you are poor that you saw figures on nairalander you want to do it. Hmmm. You will land in hospital if you try cucumber first. Trust me! Almost everyone who lost their jobs and decided to relocate to their villages to farm ended up poorer. Go check very well. So, why do you think yours will be different.

I am writing this in response to all of you asking for less than N100,000 set up cost. It is only a pro who knows his way around that can manage such amount to get the job done well (but he will not manage...lol). For you new comers, it is absolutely impossible. Perhaps, you have a big backyard and you do not employ outside help. How many are born on farms? You just need to employ labor. Please go and raise boilers with such little amount and manage it yourself. It's better. Leave veggie farming alone.

My thoughts about Ruga farming system
If you have been following my thread, you will realize I do not have strength to waste on inefficiency.

Let me ask you the following:
1. Can anyone belittle you if you also have good quality life mentality? Govt simply gave you what you say you are.
2. Can you set up anything meaning by yourself without calling on government? Very funny how a capitalist based economy call on government for everything. It is so unfortunate how people shamelessly cru.cify government everytime on nairaland. But they themselves are more us.eless.
3. Ruga is 17th Century system, so you do not deserve it. Hmmmm...Is the way you are practising farming 2019 compliant? You deliberately refused to improve in the ways you were champions. Infact you abandoned them. Where are the cash crops you were known for? Ma.dness is running in your bl.ood, you are not just aware. Lol!

No one can disrespect you, if you respect yourself. Why can't you produce your own food by yourself? You have the market, yet you expect others to produce for you. They bring you food all the way from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and you never sit down one day to think if these people cannot bring food someday. Yours is to post dishes on social media like you are gluttons. Is it not fast money you are running after?

Even during rainy season that you can produce and make good tomato sales, you keep holding back because you are all disunited. The people bringing you food are poorer, yet, unity made it possible..But you all are bouncing up and down, driving used cars by the Oyinbo that are almost dead, you party because of buying 15 years old cars, etc. Are you normal? Did anyone cur.se you not to drive new Benz? Who curs.ed you with all the natural resources and fertile land you have? Ha! You are totally curs.ed.

Nigeria is so disunited
This issue has really shown how disunited the nation called Nigeria is. And it is so sad.

The way their ears are blocked is the way your own ears are blocked
Go to Alaba market in Lagos and see how Ibos molest girls in the name of selling. And you see thuggery in action if you confront them. If you put weapons in their hands, they can kill everyone. Even in other markets, Tejuosho is a popular one, and see how both Yorubas and Ibos behave like lu.natics to young girls. Hausas there are better cultured. So, what are we saying? Everyone in Nigeria is guilty of the terrible state Nigeria is presently.

How many parents can honestly beat their chests they do not assist their kids to get involved in examination malpractices when it comes to JAMB and High school final exams? Can you see how we have been using our hands to destroy ourselves?

I always look at the roots of problems. This was the approach I used for any business I am in. You are wasting your time, resources, and energy if you do not start thinking of doing vegetable farming in a way you can be free from these cultural and social issues. In 2019, you still carry cutlass and hoes to farm, and you are happy. You travel many miles away to use cutlass, hoes, and carry hose to irrigate 2 acres of land daily. You dey ma.d. . lolz You come on Internet to ask about 16th century way of doing things. Are you insa.ne? You are holding modern tech in your hands (mobile phones), get on Internet (why don't you walk on camel down to Sokoto just because you want talk to someone there), and you start asking how you will use fulanis and Hausas to weed your farm. Are you not the one who invited them because you do not want to spend on mulch or weeder? Your ma.dness took another dimension by trying to use that old style to cover what modern powerful equipment cover. Are you normal?

Then, the next response of yours is: "There is no money". If there is no money, sit down and do nothing. If there is little cash, use it appropriately. If it is not enough, wait and save till its enough. N5 million naira is just $13,500. That's absolutely nothing. It is nothing. Why do you all see it big? Poverty? Chai! Poverty is terrible. It is a big mess. It twists brains. It is just terrible. How much is $13,500? And that is what you are shouting is too much to set up a 300-1000 sqm nethouse? And after set up that you can recover your money in less than 6 months, and make enough profit better than in most places in the world. Profit you can't even make in advance nation. Sorry to tell you, there is poverty for who wants to be poor. In this same nation, the opportunities around are too much. Damn! You just deliberately do not want to do something for yourself. You keep on blaming government and expect government to do it all for you.

You will die of hunger. You will shout till thy kingdom come, and your land wil be sold to people you call strangers. The Fula.nis will take your land. If their agenda is forcing another religion on you, that is what will happen. Why? You are unreasonable and not tactical in your approaches to work. And your new generations are lazy. Hausas, Fulanis, Benues, Cotonous, Togos, etc are the ones you can employ. lol. Where are the yoruba and ibo farm workers? If there are none, why don't you think of using technology.

In one of my posts, I wrote about using them as security, but really why can't you secure your own domain? No Yoruba or Ibo is ready to work on farms
Securities are mainly hausas. lol. And I started reading how using them is becoming dangerous these days.

Well, you know I have quit big farms. I have seen it ahead, and I know it is purely waste of resources. I will not use my money to buy my own cof.fin in Jesus' name. That big land you call asset may be the cof.fin of your entire family if you are not careful. You better be sure of what you buy these days

Nigeria is becoming destiny kil.ler.

If you do not want the worst to happen, start thinking like someone in 2019