How to Start Apple Farming in Nigeria: [Complete Guide 2024]
Are you a farmer and will like to Start Apple Farming in Nigeria? If yes, carefully read this piece as it entails all the steps needed to plant and grow an apple in Nigeria.
Interestingly, there has been a proclamation over the years that Apple doesn’t germinate in Africa. Well, that may be true but not the whole truth.
Although the temperature of our environment here may not be too comfortable to grow apple, yet there are some states in Nigeria where bell apple grows with proper care.
A state like Plateau has some areas that are nice for growing this plant. Other places like Jos Mambilla and Obudu are also notable for the viability of apple farming.
In essence, apple farming is lucrative and profitable owing to the fact that the fruits are highly appreciated in our society. Research shows that 50,000 tonnes of Apples are being imported to Nigeria annually among other fruit businesses in the country Besides as the popular saying goes, “An apple a day, keeps the doctors away”.
Seizing this opportunity to capitalize on starting an apple farm in Nigeria would not be a bad idea. Besides there are lots of benefits that come with the fruit. It serves both as a fruit for humans and feed for livestock like rabbits
The following are the detailed steps to planting and growing apples in Nigeria.
Steps On How To Start Apple Farming in Nigeria
Step 1: Identify Your Cultivars
The first thing you’re to do before starting an apple farm in Nigeria is to decide on the kind of apple you’ll grow.
According to findings, not all types of apple can be grown in Nigeria in large quantities except for Bell apple.
So, it’s ideal you identify your variety or cultivar before starting an apple farming business.
Step 2: Site Selection
The more reason why apple doesn’t germinate in Nigeria is because of the temperature. Apple thrives well in a cold environment.
Hence, choose a location where the temperature is not high but has a good balance of cold weather to grow your apple.
During raining season, the apple plant requires less than 7C temperatures for nothing less than 6 weeks, and the ideal soil to grow in loamy soil with 5.5 to 6.5 pH.
Step 3: Planting And Growing Activities
Usually, Bell apples are planted around January or February with rainfall of 115-120cm annually. Where there is heavy rainfall, irrigation is not required.
Apple seeds need light to grow. Gently press the seeds into the soil and give them spaces apart. Continue to water the seeds until they start to germinate after 3 weeks.
What’s more, you can start by selling the ball apple seedlings after 10 weeks of planting them. Farmers often demand it.
However, be informed that you’ll need to be vigilant when starting the apple farming business in the case of bacteria and some other kinds of pests.
Step 4: Harvesting
It takes about 3 years after planting before Bell apples germinate and each harvest usually yields over 1000 fruits with at least 2 harvests within a single year.
But be enlightened that it takes a lot of time and hard work to grow an apple. Thus, be patient and take proper care of the plant if you want it to yield better results.
FAQs on Starting an Apple Farm in Nigeria
Can apples grow here in Nigeria?
Unlike the popular belief that apples don’t grow in Nigeria, recent studies and practice have shown that apples do grow in Nigeria, only that it requires strict effort and dedication to work
Where can I plant apples in Nigeria?
Apples grow best in areas with temperate climates such as the Jos Plateau and Mambilla Plateau in Nigeria.
How much is a carton of apples in Nigeria?
A carton of small apples containing 198 fruits is sold for Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) to about Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000) currently
How long does an apple take to grow?
Normally, apple trees require at least 8 hours of sun each day during its growing season from which a Dwarf apple tree will start bearing fruit about 2 to 3 years after planting. Standard apple-size trees may bear fruit during the 8th year of their cultivation. However, since Nigeria is not the normal habitat for growing apples this growing period can take longer.
That’s that on how to successfully grow apples in Nigeria.
