Plantain farming is undoubtedly one of the most profitable agri-based business in Nigeria. Many young entrepreneurs lack the knowledge and skill set needed to set up a plantain plantation, missing out on the numerous opportunities and profitability of this business.

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with proper research, i found out that a plantain plantation can be a main and sole source of livelihood. Apparently you could buy plantain sucker at just #150 per sucker. An interesting fact about plantain farming is that it is harvested in batches.

After harvesting your first batch, your plantain plant would continue its production of more fruits till the harvest season is over. So all you do is plant once, relax and harvest all through the season.

Plantain is one of the most common staple foods mostly grown in the tropical regions of Nigeria and West Africa.
In Nigeria, plantain is a special delicacy prepared by frying, boiling, steaming or made into plantain chips. Recently, plantain has been processed into flour which is gradually substituting the use of wheat flour due to its superior nutritional value. Plantain flour is also exported from Nigeria to other countries of the world.

STARTING A PLANTAIN PLANTATION BUSINESS:

AQUIRE LAND

The first process in starting a plantain farm is acquiring a farmland. To be successful in this business, any farmland you select should have the exact and adequate type of soil and should be located in an area with favorable weather conditions for plantain growth.
Plantain plants yield best in loamy soil. The soil should contain enough organic matter with moderate moisture content. If the land you intend to use for your plantain farm is not rich enough with the right kind of soil, you have an option to develop the land before use. Applying organic manure like chicken manure, cow manure, etc. would improve the fertility of the soil.
While selecting a land to set up your plantain plantation watch out for a land with thick vegetation. Thick vegetation is an indication that a land contains the right soil that is rich enough for the growth of plantain.

PREPARING THE LAND/SOIL

Subsequent to getting a land for the plantation you should complete land readiness exercises on the land. These exercises incorporate clearing the land of shrubberies, trees, stones, stumps, and so on. Land planning additionally includes working the land and application of compost to enhance land richness (for less fertile land).
You may utilize manual work or utilize machines to set up the land for planting (contingent upon the size of business you mean to work).

BUYING HEALTHY PLANTAIN SUCKERS

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Plantain suckers are utilized to develop new plantain plants. They are outgrowth (shoot) which create from the bud at the base or corm of the mother plantain plant. Plantain suckers generally contain short and thin leafs on them.
When searching for plantain sucker for your new plantain plantation, guarantee you approach trustworthy farmers that can supply you with solid suckers, free of sickness and nuisance harm.
There are three noteworthy assortments of plantain suckers: water suckers, maidenhead and sword sucker. The water suckers are not all that perfect to use for plantain farming business. They deliver powerless plant with low yield of plantain organic products.
To get the best out of your plantation, purchase maidenhead or sword suckers. This assortments deliver solid plants that are exceptionally impervious to bother assault, have an abnormal state of profitability, and create sound organic products.
Plantain suckers sell for as low as #80 in a few spots and as high as #150 in others, contingent upon your area. Most neighborhood farmers would give an alluring markdown to any purchaser purchasing in mass. When you purchase a solid assortment of suckers it would serve you for a long time to come. You should simply to get suckers from your own plantation.

EMPLOYMENT OF LABOR

Depending on the extent of your farm, you may need to enlist workers to do farming exercises, for example, land readiness, planting of plantain suckers, weeding and harvesting. All these should likewise be possible mechanically. On the off chance that you have a major spending plan and can stand to set up an extensive scale plantation at that point automated farming would be more useful to you.

PLANTING THE SUCKERS

Your plantain suckers ought to be 4-5 feet long. While planting the suckers, keep a separation of around 8-10 feet before planting the following sucker. Guarantee that the dirt is reasonably wet. Plantain plant does not develop well in waterlogged regions.

WEEDING AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION

Weed and other undesirable plant go after the supplement of the dirt with the plantain plant, along these lines steady weeding is required. You could utilize manual work to help with the weeding or you could make utilization of chemicals (relies upon how substantial your farm is).
Application of compost relies upon in the event that you began the plantation on a fertile soil. Be that as it may, in the event that you should apply compost on your farm ensure it has the correct extent of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. You could likewise till the dead plantain leaves to the ground to enhance soil richness.

HARVESTING OF PLANTAIN

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The plantain organic products would be prepared for harvest after around 8-10 months. Once the harvest season starts the plant will keep on producing more natural products till the season is finished. Harvesting is done when the plantain begins to mature.

MARKETING STRATEGIES

The interest for plantain is on the increase, there is dependably a business opportunity for the item. You could supply to organizations that procedure plantain into flour, sell in the nearby market, and even fare the farm deliver. The market for plantain in West Africa is substantial and expanding.
Setting up your own plantain handling plant is another certain fire method for boosting benefit in the plantain farming business. Each business needs a business design. So on the off chance that you missed our Writing a Business Plan Course, you can experience it now and prepare your arrangement.