Here in this post, we are going to give you detailed steps to start garden egg farming business in Nigeria and tips to succeed.
Business Overview
Garden egg is a business that involves cultivating garden eggs and marketing them. It is a nice fruit that is rich in vitamins and good for health.
There is much distribution of garden egg in the temperate and tropical regions. The eggplant serves for medicinal and food purposes.
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It is garden egg because of the shape of the egg and it has a colour that is white. Garden egg has a botanical name and the name is Solanum.
The eggplant is an economic plant that belongs to a family with the name Solanacae and the egg comes in many varieties. One of the difference between white and green varieties is that there is chlorophyll.
This chlorophyll is better than white ones and it can easily digest. The eggplant is also has much Nasunin content and it is an antioxidant that is good for health. It is also an alkaline fruit and can cure stomach issues like ulcer.
Many people take it raw while others take it as they take sauce and there is blending of groundnut and pepper. Groundnut also have some traditional value and is used on many occasions.
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Steps To Start Garden Egg Business In Nigeria
1. Preparation of land and land preparation
First clear the stump of debris and grasses and the best soil for this is sandy-loam. Mix your organic manure using soil as you prepare land and there is loosening to let the roots to penetrate properly inside the soil. Mix the organic manure properly before you plant and this helps to promote yield.
A tractor may be necessary for large scale garden eggs but ensure that the top soil does not displace entirely. Tilling of land should not be below 20cm and you can plant it by raising up the bed and planting in a direct manner.
2. Planting technique
Planting should take place in the afternoon or in the morning. Add 2 seeds to plant directly and then broadcast later. Plant 2 seeds in a hole inside the nursery and then transfer them and this should not be too far from the nursery.
The seedling should have 2-3 leaves and you can plant it on a space with dimemsions of 90cm by 90cm. Give a space that is up to 60cm in between and also 90cm in between the ridges. There is pollination because they contain female and male reproductive organs.
Fruiting and flowering happens between 6 and 8 weeks after transplanting takes place and this will develop until about 2-3 months.
After 2-3 months harvesting can take place and this depends on the category. The categories that are useful for commercial farming include blackbeauty, long purple, baby aubergines and florida market. There is a requirement for optimal development and growth.
3. Fertilisation Process
There is need for manure at a particular point or the other. Apply the manure on monthly intervals and this is for each of the harvest. Add potassium nitrate and up to 400g for each hectares.
Mulching/weeding
Take care and avoid damages if you are utilising chemicals. Proper weeding has to take place and this is to prevent the weeds from competing with weeds.
Mulching is important and one can utilize straw and cut grasses for covering the farm. This helps in conservation of soil moisture and the prevention of weeds reducing sunlight and adding of manure.
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4. Pests and diseases
The most common of the common diseases are fruit rot and bacteria wilt. There are many types of fungus diseases and the causes are water and wind.
A parasite with the name phytophitora have some effects on the garden egg and the control of the disease is through the removal of the plants.
It can happen through the spraying of the fungicides and for organic growers. You can utilise water or neem oil for the eradication of the diseases.
Check out the quality of the oil and the water to utilise. The planting of varieties that are resistant will enable their curbing and also improve quality.
Different categories of garden eggs are fruits borer, spider mutes, caterpillars, flea beetle and bugs. This can cause caterpillar larva to be inside of it and you can utilise some insecticides etc.
Why Do Garden Egg Farming Business?
Garden egg farming is very profitable and the fruits it produce can reach up to 5 months. You can possess above 50% on the return of your investment and there is an increase in its demand. This increase in demand is due to it’s benefits and this takes a time that is shorter for harvesting.
This is very profitable since production can go on for 5 months after the first cultivation. Most of the fruits do not spoil immediately and the rate of consumption is very fast.
Many people are beginning to realise that farming can be profitable on a large scale and garden egg farming is one of them.
Harvesting your gardening
Harvesting can begin after 65-70 days and this depends on the variety. You can harvest them early when they are reasonable going and this can be twice a week. The plant is ripe for harvesting when the skin becomes smooth and the size reaches marketable.
Few of the varieties take longer periods for maintaining and example is that of elongation. When the garden egg gets more mature it loses the smoothness and you can harvest more of the fruits. Harvesting proceed for a pretty good time off.
After the eggplant matures hardening of stem is next and you can then cut the egg. This cutting off can be with calyx and stalk for up to 4cm. Do not pull the garden egg with hand and this can result in damaging stems.
Take care to prevent damage through abrasions, puncturing and compression. Different categories of the skin can undergo damage and the average hectare yield is between 30 and 40 tonnes. Wash the garden before you market them.
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Marketability Of Garden Egg
Garden egg is marketable in all parts of the country and you can locate markets and display products. Package it properly inside sizes or in many sizes to market them.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Garden Egg?
- It regulates sugar and helps in blood circulation.
- Garden egg is a source of vitamin B and controls cholesterol.
- It has fibre and can reduce constipation.
- Garden egg can strengthen bones and protect the body from risks.
- It helps in the management of weight and this is due to the low content of calories. It can also promote bowel movement.
Tips To Succeed In Garden Egg Farming Business
1. Cultivate better species
Some garden egg species are better than others and also has more yield.
2. Prepare the land properly
You can use manure or fertilizers since helps to promote yield.
3. Use better marketing techniques
Many people use garden eggs in many parts of the country and it is very good for health. Transport to other areas and market them. Also advertising your farming business.
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Conclusion
Garden egg is very good for health and is also a profitable business in Nigeria. Proper farming techniques like manuring and fertilising are useful in this business.