In Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, the agricultural sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy, with farmers (commercial or subsistence) being the backbone of the industry.
From experience, being a community of smart farmers, Greenbles have observed that many farmers in Nigeria face challenges in increasing their farm yield, which have hinder their productivity and profitability.
In this article, we will share our top tips for farmers to boost their farm yield in Nigeria, drawing from our extensive experience as an organization that has grown from managing a single acre of farmland to overseeing over 1,000 acres as of December 2023.
By implementing our professional tips, farmers who may want to record success like us, can significantly improve their farm yield, increase their profitability, and contribute to the country’s food security and economic growth.
If you’re a farmer, and would love to learn, sit back, and let’s get started.
1. Soil Testing and Management:
Soil testing is crucial to understand the pH level, nutrient content, and structure of your soil. This information helps you identify nutrient deficiencies, pH imbalances, and structural issues that can affect crop growth. Regular soil testing (every 2-3 years) enables you to:
- Determine the optimal fertilizer application
- Adjust soil pH levels
- Improve soil structure through amendments like organic matter or lime
- Enhance soil fertility and overall soil health
While we highly recommend that farmers invest in soil testing before cultivating their farmland and seek the expertise of a professional, our technical team at Greenbles is pleased to offer this service to Nigerian farmers at discounted rates. To qualify for this affordable package, farmers must present their National Identification Number (NIN).
2. Irrigation and Water Management:
Adequate water supply is vital for crop growth, and efficient irrigation systems help minimize waste and optimize water usage. Winning the game required that farmers implement:
- Drip irrigation or sprinkler systems to reduce evaporation and runoff
- Water conservation techniques like mulching and cover cropping
- Rainwater harvesting to supplement irrigation needs
- Soil moisture monitoring to avoid over-irrigation
3. Crop Selection and Rotation:
Choosing the right crops and practicing rotation enhances soil fertility, reduces pests and diseases, and promotes biodiversity. From our field experience, we recommend that farmers consider:
- High-yielding, disease-resistant crop varieties suitable for Nigeria’s climate
- Crop rotation to break disease and pest cycles, and improve soil fertility
- Including legumes to fix nitrogen and improve soil health
- Planting cover crops to reduce erosion and add organic matter
4. Fertilizer Application:
Fertilizers provide essential nutrients for crop growth. Use organic and inorganic fertilizers judiciously, considering:
- Soil test results to determine nutrient deficiencies
- Crop requirements for specific nutrients
- Avoiding over-fertilization, which can harm soil and crops
- Integrating organic amendments like compost or manure to enhance soil fertility
5. Pest and Disease Management:
Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques minimize pest and disease damage. On best tips, Greenbles COO, Saeed Oshin, suggests that farmers should adopt:
- Crop rotation to break disease and pest cycles
- Biological control using natural predators or parasites
- Chemical control using targeted pesticides
- Cultural controls like pruning, sanitation, and trap cropping
6. Mechanization and Technology:
Mechanized farming tools and technology enhance efficiency, reduce labour costs, and increase yield. On the many acres of farmland, the Greenbles team manages, we currently leverage:
- Tractors and planters for efficient planting and cultivation
- Precision agriculture techniques like GPS-guided planting and crop monitoring
- Irrigation automation systems
- Data analysis software for informed decision-making
7. Extension Services and Training:
Collaborate with agricultural extension agents, research institutions, and training programs to:
- Stay updated on best practices and new technologies
- Access innovative farming techniques and expertise
- Participate in workshops, training, and demonstrations
- Network with other farmers and industry professionals
Speaking on the impact of agriculture-focused boot camps, Greenbles’ CEO, Kasumu Oladapo, encouraged farmers to leverage every learning opportunity.
“Every learning opportunity is a good opportunity. We also have a SmartFarm Bootcamp we run. We invested in it to provide great resources for a comprehensive and immersive learning experience,” Oladapo noted.
8. Market Access and Pricing:
Establish relationships with reliable markets and negotiate fair prices for your produce to ensure profitability and sustainability. Over the years, to scale, we have also had to consider:
- Identifying stable markets and building relationships with buyers
- Understanding market demand and pricing dynamics
- Negotiating fair prices based on quality and quantity
- Exploring value-added products and diversification
9. Record Keeping and Data Analysis:
To be blunt, many farmers don’t keep records. And, this has become the weakest link in the management of the farm business. For success, farmers must maintain accurate records of farm activities, yields, and finances. Accepting to keep record is one thing, understanding what to keep is more important.
Fausat Sanni-Yusuf, Greenbles’ Co-founder and Marketing Lead, explained that farms seeking to grow and expand must coordinate effort to:
- Track progress and identify areas for improvement
- Analyze data to inform decision-making
- Monitor financial performance and adjust strategies
- Refine farming techniques based on data insights
10. Climate-Smart Agriculture:
Climate change is affecting the entire globe, and Nigeria is no exception. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are having a profound impact on the country’s agricultural sector, threatening food security and the livelihoods of millions of people.
As a farmer, recording success requires adopting climate-resilient farming practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure long-term sustainability. In doing this, consider:
- Conservation agriculture techniques like no-till or reduced-till farming
- Agroforestry practices integrating trees into farming systems
- Climate-resilient crop and animal varieties
- Soil conservation and water harvesting techniques
Food Security:
By implementing these top tips, Nigerian farmers can significantly increase their farm yield, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s food security and economic growth.
If you find this article helpful, please share it with your network. Additionally, if you would like to discuss the tips shared here in more detail or have further questions, please click here to connect with a Greenbles representative.