Plantation Farming in Nigeria:Reasons For The Choice

One of the easiest and surest route to riches in agriculture in Nigeria, besides chicken farming, is through plantain farming. Plantain is a banana specie but is generally contrasted to the sweeter banana specie also known as the desert banana.

Plantain is firmer and has a lower sugar content than the desert banana. While the plantain specie is generally cooked before consumption, the desert banana is eaten raw.However, the plantain can also be eaten raw as well either in a ripe or unripe state.

Reasons for the choice:

Has an all year round market
Ease of establishing the farm
Ease of farm management
Low risk cropping
Lower start up costs
Higher profit margins from the 2nd year
Provides monthly income year round
Quicker returns on investment
Ability to replicate itself for continuity and expansion
Ability to recover from natural disasters

In the 2nd year of operation, the costs of production are greatly reduced compared to the first year because much of the major costs incurred in the first year are unnecessary and are eliminated. From the 2nd year upward, the revenues soar.

Profitability Analysis:
The profitability is based on the quantity of bunches that can be harvested per acre/hectare multiplied by the selling price per bunch of plantain. Also, it may not be feasible to realize a 100% harvest for various reasons. However, where the farm is well managed, it is very possible to realize 90% harvest level.


John Ayodele
Email:ayodeleade2002@yahoo.com
Phone:2348035978352
www.johnayodele.wordpress.com
www.plantainrichesnigeria.blogspot.com