Nigeria is one of the largest producers of potatoes in Africa. The potato was introduced to the country in the 19th century by Christian missionaries and is largely cultivated in the central region of the country in Plateau State.
How long does it take potato to grow in Nigeria?
about three to four months
It takes about three to four months for it to get to maturity stage and the yield is determined largely by how well the farmed cared and managed the production. On the average, each plant has about five to ten tubers.
What month do you plant potatoes in Nigeria?
Planting is between March-April during early rains but can also be planted with irrigation during dry season October November and late rains August-September. Sweet potato farming needs annual rainfall of 750-1000mm and a temperature of 24°C for optimum growth.
How many types of potatoes do we have in Nigeria?
Apart from yam, there are two other major food crops in Nigeria — potatoes. Irish potato (solanum tuberosum) and sweet potatoes (ipomoea batatas). Apart from yam, there are two other major food crops in Nigeria — potatoes. Irish potato (solanum tuberosum) and sweet potatoes (ipomoea batatas).
Can Irish potato grow in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, Plateau State is the major producers of Irish potatoes. Other places with high altitudes are Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State and Obudu, Cross River State. Irish potato can grow well during harmattan when the North is generating cold.
Is potato farming profitable in Nigeria?
In many countries of the world, especially in Nigeria, potato is a very lucrative business as it provide employment to the masses, good source of revenue for both the agriculturists who are into potato farming and the country, as potato is exported to other countries as trade.
What is Nigerian potato?
Nigeria is one of the largest producers of potatoes in Africa. The potato was introduced to the country in the 19th century by Christian missionaries and is largely cultivated in the central region of the country in Plateau State.
How many bags of potatoes can one acre produce?
“Certified seeds give better yield at 16 tonnes per acre as opposed to the conventional four to six tonnes per acre. Hence, one acre takes up 16 bags of certified seeds, but yields 160 as opposed to 60 ordinarily,” Eugene explained.
How profitable is potatoes farming?
Kerns says that in the area of eastern Oregon where his family farms, growers can generally get $2,200 to $2,700 per acre for their spuds, but they can also put up to $2,000 per acre into the crop. “You can get rewarded for growing potatoes, but there’s also a lot of risk out there,” he says.
How profitable is Irish potato farming in Nigeria?
Irish potato farming was found to be profitable with most (53.97%) farmers at high profitability level. The net farm income was ₦604, 245.81 per hectare with returns per naira spent of ₦1.70.
What country is the potato originally from?
The humble potato was domesticated in the South American Andes some 8,000 years ago and was only brought to Europe in the mid-1500s, from where it spread west and northwards, back to the Americas, and beyond.
Is yam a potato?
Yams are not a type of potato. Both are stem tubers that grow underground, but they belong to different botanical families. The potato is a part of the nightshade family, which also includes peppers and tomatoes. Yams belong to a plant family of flowering vines that surprisingly includes grasses and lilies.
Where are sweet potatoes grown Nigeria?
Sweet potato is tropical herbaceous plant which, by the nature of its temperature requirement, can be grown throughout Nigeria. States like Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, and Sokoto in the North-west are currently leading in its production in the country.
How do Nigerians farm potatoes?
Potatoes should be grown in an open area with adequate access to sunlight. You can cut down trees on the site that may hinder sunlight exposure. Also, the soil should be fertile and well-drained with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
How do sweet potatoes grow in Nigeria?
Sweet potato is grown through stems from mature plants. Dig a hole 10 to 18 inch apart for planting your stems. You can apply compost manure directly into these holes, or do so when making the ridges/mounds. Your fresh Sweet Potato stems should be put into these holes upwards and soil used to cover it.
What is Yam Nigeria?
Yam is in the class of roots and tubers that is a staple of the Nigerian and West African diet, which provides some 200 calories of energy per capital daily. In Nigeria, in many yam-producing areas, it is said that “yam is food and food is yam”.
How do I start a potato farm?
Tips to start a potato farm business for beginners
- Startup Capital is Required.
- Choose the Best Soil for Potato Farming.
- Farm Tools and Machinery.
- Know the Right Season.
- Land Clearing.
- Choose a Special & Follow the Important Factors.
- Get the Right potato Stem/Seed.
- Weed Control & Manure.
How long does it take sweet potato to mature in Nigeria?
early varieties take 3 to 4 months. medium varieties take 4 to 6 months. late varieties take more than 6 months.
How many kg is a hectare of potatoes?
The recommended potato seeding rate is 2 to 2,5 tons per hectare for tuber diameter 45-60mm. Keep in mind that 1 ton = 1000 kg = 2.200 lbs. and 1 hectare = 2,47 acres = 10.000 m2.
Does Nigeria import potatoes?
Nigeria imports Potatoes primarily from: China ($2.37M), Netherlands ($376k), Morocco ($152k), Lithuania ($84.5k), and Germany ($59.3k).
Is potato grown in Africa?
Potatoes are grown under a wide range of conditions: From irrigated commercial farms in Egypt and South Africa to the tropical highland zones of Eastern and Central Africa, where it is mainly a small farmer’s crop. In some African countries, the production of potatoes is growing rapidly.