How to start Onion Farming in Nigeria:
Nigeria is among the biggest manufacturers of onions on the planet with more than 2 millions tonnes produced yearly.
Onions is employed in the preparation of a lot of the popular Nigerian dishes.
Normally, onions can be grown practically everywhere however in the event that you would like to make sure optimal return, you will want to put money into a couple of items, among these is irrigation.
To start onions farming business requires some steps highlighted below:
Land Selection
Organic matter can be used before planting to enhance the soil and to boost crop yield. The soil can be ready by ploughing 6 to 7 days to allow it to be tender. Normally, the organic mulch is inserted in the Last plough.
Planting:
The planting of onions is performed with seeds or setts. Onions are generally cultivated in November or December and it requires approximately 3 to 4 weeks to reach adulthood. As a result of climate in the Northern area of the country, 100 percent of the onions consumed in Nigeria are made in North.
The planting is completed on ridges; and furrows must be made to guarantee simplicity when carrying out planting activities. It is also possible to plant the seeds on elevated or horizontal beds. Usually excess rain may lead to water logging, and onions have a tendency to do badly on waterlogged soil. The raised beds alongside a community of furrows will guarantee that there are stations of depart for the water, which might help to reduce waterlogging.
It’s important that you water your onion plant satisfactorily. This is sometimes carried out by drip irrigation. Normally, irrigation needs to be performed per week for a minimum of two weeks after planting or 3 months prior to the plant attains full maturity. Irrigation is extremely essential throughout the bulb forming phase, however when the watering does not stop at the ideal time, it might delay maturation.
Aside from premature irrigation, excessive irrigation or watering ought to be avoided because this will impact the development of the plant. In reality the kind of irrigation used is very important; this is due to irrigation methods such as overheard irrigation may encourage fungal disease infestation. The best irrigation method for onion farming is trickle irrigation
Normally, onions have been planted between April and August, nevertheless there is typically a shortage around March to June, this is the reason you might have to tweak your planting procedure a little so that you may have supply in this age of scarcity. No matter how the red onions may be kept at room temperature for up to 4 weeks so even in the time that you plant it throughout the normal planting period. You can increase your seed input so that the output of your crop can Meet up with the market need during times of scarcity.
Harvesting:
It requires the bulb onions around 3 to 4 weeks to reach adulthood. They may be chosen in January or even February. The plant is harvested when 50 percent of the throat drops. Another indicator is that the formation of a glistening membranous cover round the bulbs or if the leaves of this plant starts to wither.
Normally, harvesting is accomplished by pulling the bulbs of the onion plant then cutting it off by the leaves. After harvesting, it’s important you wash the bulbs at sunlight prior to storage. That is because moisture may cause fungal disease infestation. After sufficient drying, the bulbs can then be saved in the storehouse prepared to be hauled to the marketplace.
