Today’s post is about the problems of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa. Not just the problems but also you will find their solutions integrated in this article.

(We have earlier disussed how to start poultry business, how to start pig farming business, how to starting snail farming business and how to start fish farming business in Nigeria)

Today we want to share with you the problem of Agriculture in Nigeria.

But then do we really have problems threatening our agricultural sector as a nation and continent?

Yes we do.  As a matter of fact it is as serious as ever, however i am not here to give you bad news but the opposite of it, so read to the end.

Have you ever wondered why agricultural development in our nation is as slow as a chameleon’s motion?

Are you not seeing how improper it is for us to be one of the major importers of food?

Don’t you know that the Nigerian agricultural sector is living below its potential?

Over 50% of our land mass is still uncultivated and fertile but yet the increasing figure of our starving citizens is alarming!

You can see that there is a problem!

You can’t have food in your house and still complain of hunger, when that happens to you then be sure that you have a problem. Problems which can be lack of cooking fuel, or perhaps you don’t know how to cook, or you lack ingredients etc.

The situation of our country and continent’s agriculture is similar to that analogy.

Personally I don’t believe the problems in our Agriculture sector to be treats, they are just barriers and should you fear barriers?

No! You get rid of them instead.

After all by default every victory over a problem leads to your growth and development. So how can you call that which can develop you a treat?

It’s just a way of making you better in disguise, with a tag called a problem.

A treat can kill you and except God there no solution to death, am sure you know that. But then a barrier stops you from progressing.

When barriers come your way, eliminating them is as simple as what you will do when you want to park your car and then you discover a chair or two (which are barriers) occupying your packing space with no body sitting on those chairs.

Let me ask you this question…

When you are going to the market and you discover that the road you are following has been filled up with hundreds of youths demonstrating (violently) for something or protesting rather, what will you do since you can’t drive them all out of your way just like you did to the chairs?

Of course you don’t need a prophet to tell you that you need to follow another way if you must get to the market in peace.

What am I saying here?

Solving the problems that face agriculture in Nigeria or Africa is simple! I am not saying it’s easy but it is not as complex as feared by most people.

Though the federal ministry of Agriculture may not be the source of our solutions, individual player in the industry could do some things to pave way for themselves

What you must know is this…..

90% of our problems are caused by us, don’t you know?

Throughout the words below you will get to understand how we are involved in our problems.

We are the cause of our problems and we are part of it, which is why it takes you and me to fix it.

In computer programming there is something known as a recursive function, which has to do with using a problem as part of its solution when solving it.

That was what I meant when I said it takes us to solve our problems.

In this article you will discover what those problems are, their cause and solutions. You will also discover that the solution lies within us just like I already said.

Contrary to your expectations, I have highlighted just 3 major problems of agriculture which we are facing in Nigeria and Africa. So am I saying we just have 3 problems standing against agriculture in Nigeria?

No!

What then? All other problems we face in agriculture are products of these 3 parent problems which I shall reveal to you right away. Therefore solving these 3 problems will automatically mean terminating the rest of the problems.

Let’s go….

Problems of agriculture in Nigeria

The first and common (but not known) problem of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa is…

1. Ignorance; the Biggest Problem of the Agriculture in Nigeria

In northern Nigeria, there is an adage that says “ignorance is darker than the dark night”!

Can you imagine that?

By implication, being ignorant means you are as good as being blind. What can you see at night without light?

Nothing!

Knowledge is light while ignorance is its opposite and who doesn’t know that darkness is a severe problem?

See…

Agriculture in Nigeria is seriously and negatively affected by ignorance far more than any other problem we have. It is not by accident that I brought it first in the list.

As a farmer how can you succeed in farming when you don’t know what is happening in the world around you?

How can you compete successfully with the rest of your kind in this busy world when all you know about agriculture is how to till the ground and plant crops, or how to rear animals just the way you were thought by your father?

There is more to agriculture than you know and think. The earlier you come to know that, the better.

In Africa there are certain things which we do not take them too serious. Most of those things are things which we were born into them and so we grew up to know them as norms and values of our local communities.

Hence we believe just in what we were thought about those things from our homes and locality such that any other source of knowledge apart from the traditional source is vehemently disregarded.

A major example of such things is agriculture. Agriculture in Africa is something that has been taken for granted for far too long. We don’t think there is something to be serious about when it comes to agriculture.

That is an error!

Agriculture in Africa has grown grey hairs but do you know what?

Most farmers in Africa know nothing about agriculture more than what they learned from their fore-fathers. Why is this happening?

Because they think reading and learning about agriculture from any other source is a waste of time and so they do not believe and regard it.

That is a serious problem!

When last did you see a farmer attending a seminar on how to improve his agricultural practice? Or reading a book for the same purpose, when last did you see someone like that?

It’s very rare to meet such kind of people here in Africa.

What do I need to read a book on farming for when I have been farming for the past 15 years?

That is what you will hear when you ask some of them to educate themselves on agriculture. They think they know it all, they think they don’t need more knowledge.

That is a big mistake, it’s a problem and what has it been causing? Ignorance!

Can you now see how we ourselves are causing our problems?

An average African is ignorant of agricultural trends around the world, that’s hurting!

We don’t take farming as a serious business worth investing our time and money for. We lack technical knowledge and real education on farming. How then are we not going to remain the way we are? We need to wake up!

Does this has a solution?

Absolutely!

To every problem there is a solution, so what is the solution to this problem facing agriculture?

Solution.

The elephant among all solutions to ignorance is knowledge acquisition, no better option than that.

How do I acquire knowledge?

Well there are a lot of options out therefore you to choose from, but the axis of all those options is learning. Learn, learn and learn.

That’s how you acquire knowledge!

Attend seminars, read good books practice what to have learned to gain experience and become better. That is how it works!

If you want to start a poultry farm, don’t just start it the way others do. First learn how it is done. How to start and how to run it successfully…

For you to become a soldier, you will have to undergo some procedure and processes. What are some of these things? You will be screened and then allowed to write exams and finally undergo a vigorous training for about 9-10 months or so etc.

So is it when you want to succeed in agriculture, you need to learn about it, you need to be trained just like soldiers do.

Learn about the best agricultural input processes, when and how it is supposed to be done.

If you you are interested in growing trees or plants, learn about cross-breeding, propagation (and other related things) from professionals.

Know the pest of your crops and how to stop them.

Know the diseases of your animals and take preventive measures to ensure a disease-free farm.

Learn about the different type of Agro-chemicals, their advantages, disadvantages and the best way to apply them. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you know it all because there is always something new you will discover when you decide to learn.

Acquire knowledge, fight ignorance!

The next problem of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa is…

2. Low use of technology and machinery.

This is another problem crippling the growth of our agricultural sector!

The whole world now depends on technology for a lot of things raging from medicine, education, socialization, transportation, finance, information and communication, agriculture etc.

Technology today is a leverage which you cannot do without.

The use of technology for agriculture in Nigeria and Africa is as low as negligible. Our farmers are still using manual farm tools to cultivate their land, resulting in low quantity of crop production and slow rate of growth and development. It is only few farmers that have access to and utilize machinery in their farms which is why they produce and sell more crops and animals than you.

With technology, agriculture is made easy and without it agriculture becomes miserable, difficult and slow in this fast world.

Lack of technology is a problem, but the good news is that you can fix it.

How can you fix and solve this problem?

Let’s see how….

Solution

As a farmer, to solve this problem of lack of technology you need to get involved in using different technologies that can meet your agricultural needs and solve you under-development problem.

Do you have poultry, rabbit, fish, pig farm or just any other type of farm?

This is what you must know…. Every business needs an online presence, if you must survive in the 21^st century business war then one of the weapons you need is a website. Get a website for your farm, it’s a great use of technology. One of the major advantages of having a website for your Business is that it automatically opens you up to a national and global clients or customers.

You need an incubating machine/hatcher etc. for your layers poultry farm. That is Technology!

Can you afford a tractor or a combine harvester? Why not buy one for a start; you need it for your farm. The joy of having a tractor is that once you have it fueled and maintained, it can do the work of 200 laborers thereby saving you the expenses of paying those laborers.

Get some modern food storage and processing facilities for your farm…..

Create ideas and use technology to implement them.

Technology is all about making life (including agriculture) easier, take advantage of it today!

The next most common problem standing against agricultural progress in Nigeria and Africa is…..

3. Funding; the third problem of Agriculture in Nigeria.

Most Africans are poor!

In Nigeria an average farmer’s dream is limited by lack of fund. Often times you will hear complains like I want to buy I tractor but I have no money, or I need to expand my poultry farm but I lack money etc.

In fact a lot of farmers have hectares of land capable of producing crops that can feed a whole state or province but because they cannot afford to buy the necessary machinery they need to cultivate that size of land, the only option they will be left with is to make use of just a hectare or two which their human strengths can cultivate.

Are you facing the same or similar problem like that? Are you in the same situation?

Well I have good news for you!

Capital is not scarce and so all you need is the knowledge of how to get it.

I know the banks have failed to give you loans, the governments failed you too because most of them left you with unfulfilled promises. I know they might have abandoned you.

But you see it’s time to stop complaining and say to yourself enough of depending on banks and the government then go ahead to find out how to get capital.

I strongly recommend this book written by our CEO for you, it is titled “How to get capital to start your own business” it is written to guide you comprehensively into some deep secrets to the art of getting capital from people and other idea driven ways/options. That book can help you solve this problem of lack of funds which is facing agriculture in Nigeria and Africa badly!

Another problem of agriculture which you might be expecting me to mention is “inadequate amenities”.

Yes you are right because it is a problem but you will be wrong to expect these things from the government!

Am I saying it’s actually bad for the government to provide these amenities for the benefit of agriculture? Of course not!

I am only saying that there are more than 70 ways to go to the market.

Yes you need good roads to transport your crops from the farm to the market or the seaport for exportation. You need electricity to power your machines and you need good water source to carry out your irrigation farming practice.

What if the government fails to provide them?

Are you just going to sit back and start complaining?

That will not be wise!

So can you provide for yourself the basic amenities you need?

The answer is yes!

Are you asking how?

It’s simple. If you can come out successful at solving the three problems stated above, then you can provide amenities for your agricultural activities without the help of government.

This is what I mean…

First fight ignorance by acquiring knowledge (knowledge on agriculture and business). When you are endowed with knowledge then the way to follow will be clear.

Secondly, apply or deploy technology for your agriculture.

And thirdly, get funding to boost and propel your agricultural Business.

With these three solutions in place, how can you still be poor?

And if you become a millionaire how can you not provide the necessary amenities you need to practice smooth agriculture?

Thinking?

You now get what I mean!

Now i want you to think of any other problem of agriculture which you can remember, you will discover that they are all caused by these three major problems; Ignorance, Low use of technology or Lack of funding.

What next?

Take action today!

Because it takes you to make a positive change, only you can stop you, otherwise you are unstoppable.

See you at the top!

If you’re interested in any Agric business in Nigeria, our experienced farmers can work with you, so that you won’t make mistakes that could lead to lose of your investment 

For poultry farming practical training and consultancy, Click Here

For fish farming practical training and consultancy, Click Here

For pig farming practical training and consultancy, Click Here

For snail farming practical training and consultancy, Click Here

Dear friend, you’re welcome to the Africa Business Classroom (ABC).

I started my first business before I was a boy of 15. Today I run my company in Lagos and operate in different states of Nigeria.

Make sure you read every word of this post and come back to download my 2 free business books HERE

Let’s start this tutorial.

Fish farming is one of the various business opportunities any business-minded Kenyan could look into.

Whether you`re an unemployed graduate, an employee or a small business owner who wish to venture into fish farming business, this tutorial will be of help for you.

Please, I want to assume that you don`t know anything about fish business before, so I will start from the basic.

Background understanding

Fish farming is known as pisciculture in the academic world. It`s major form of aquaculture, farming of aquatic organisms like fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. (Forgive me please, if you hate all these academic terminologies)

Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures.

There are hundreds species of fish among which are; sea trout, cyprinids, pangas catfish, freshwater fishes, silver seabream, common carp, catla, greasy grouper, bighead carp, Nile tilapia, grass carp (who knows, maybe there are thousands more?), but most of them are not suitable for fish farming, either because of their nature or because of the low demand in certain country or the profitability of their species.

That`s why the most common fish species farmer grow for commercial purpose are carp, salmon, tilapia and catfish (while the last two, catfish and tilapia is the most common species in Nigeria)

Fish can be grown in two ways: extensive aquaculture where fish grow under natural water (i.e. river or stream), then, intensive aquaculture where fish are fed with external food supply… this is the area we`re focusing on in this tutorial.

Wait!

After I have spent over a decade in the business world, I discovered 13 Secrets which school did not teach you about how to be rich

Because I want you to become a successful entrepreneur like me, I will reveal the 13 secrets to you. Click Here to download it for free.

…………………………..

What are the cost and materials needed to start a fish farm in Kenya?

I know you`re interested in knowing about this, but I’m sad there is no straight answer, and estimate is even risky.

Why?

First, because situations and environments are differ.

Some people will be reading this tutorial from Nairobi, others from Kisumu, Hola, Kitui and even countries outside Kenya. How do you expect the cost of land to build pond (for example) in Nakuru to be the same with that of Wote?

How do you expect the cost of labour in Nairobi to be the same with the cost of labour at Isiolo?

Even some other implements you might expect to be of the same price are not (even in the same city)

Second reason why it may be foolish to state that you need xxx Shs to start fish farming is because I don`t know when you`re going to be reading this tutorial.

Imagine this situation. I was online earlier today to read about this very topic and I saw a particular post where the author stated (to the last shillings) how much you will need to start a fish farm.

When I looked at the date of that post, it was written in the year 2013. Now you can see. If anybody tells you that the price of a block (to construct fish pound) is Shs100 and he was actually talking about 2013, if you base your estimate on that, you will make a wrong plan.

That`s why I will not tell you that you need xxx Shs, instead, I will try and show you what and what you`ll need.

1. Water, good source of water

How important is water to a fish? Just as oxygen is important to you. Take a fish out of water and it becomes helpless and dying. Put it in a bad water and you`re affecting its growth and productivity (though “bad” water varies, depending on the kind of fish we are talking about. Some fish live in rough water while others cannot).

My point here is, you`ll need good source of water for your fish. How much will the water be? Here is a question you alone can answer. I know a man few years ago who had his fish farm at the back of his house. He can easily use the well of his house to satisfy these few fish, how can a man with huge fish pond do this?

The size of your intending fish farm determines the quantity of water needed. If you`re starting small, you may be comfortable with a nearby well. If however you`re going into fish farming as a big venture, then, you`ll need a bole hole and tank.

1. Pond or plastic thank housing

I compared water with oxygen in my above analogy. Here, I’m talking about housing your fish. Just like you, they need a comfortable place to live.

The more natural and comfortable their house is, the better for them.

There are two popular fish housing system… backyard plastic tank or pond. Plastic tank may be good for you if you`re just starting fish farming in Kenya. This small scale medium will help you to be familiar with the nature of this business, before you`ll extend your market reach.

Pond size is also different. Fish ponds are of various sizes and their cost is vary, depending on your environment and need. What should you do?

Move out. Visit fish farms around you. Visit fish feeds seller. Visit some experienced break-layers. Ask questions. Ask questions. Ask questions.

The reason why I advise you to go out this way is because, these people will give you the best advice that can be useful to you in that environment, since they are in your immediate environment.

No matter how much advice I give you here or you read on the internet can be as accurate as that of someone who is living and having fish farm right in your neighborhood.

I`m sure you understand this.

1. After we have provided oxygen and house for our dear fish, what next?

Wait!

After I have spent over a decade in the business world, I discovered 13 Secrets which school did not teach you about how to be rich

Because I want you to become a successful entrepreneur like me, I will reveal the 13 secrets to you. Click Here to download it for free.

…………………………..

Food. Their food.

Plants are able to utilize sunlight and simple nutrients to produce new organic material through photosynthesis. Animal (i.e. fish) cannot do this. That`s why animals need to feed on organic materials such as plants, other animals, or prepared food that contains plants or/and animals.

When feeding our children (sorry, fish. Lol) both quality and quantity has to be taken care of. Feed them well and with quality food.

There are three means of food for your fish.

• Natural food. This is found naturally in the pond. This include; detritus, bacteria, plankton, worms, insects, snails, aquatic plants and fish (yes, fish eat fish if they`re hungry).

• Supplementary feed. This usually include cheap materials locally available such as terrestrial plants, kitchen wastes or agricultural by-products. Supplementary feed may be good, but they are not for serious fish farmer (except if he includes the other types of feeds)

• Complete feed. This is a carefully made fish feed. They`re usually of good ingredient and nutrients, made by the experts who understand the perfect formula for the fish at a different stage. How much does this feed cost?

You know I cannot tell what your environment looks like. Do what I suggested above. Move out. Ask questions and you`ll learn from people currently in your environment who know the current prices

Every other cost and materials could be gotten right in your environment. Take out a pen and paper. Move out and ask questions.

1. Get fingerlings: fingerlings are the little juvenile fish you`ll need to grow. Just as if everything else must be prepared before the fish itself, yes. There are farms that specialize in hatching fingerlings. Make sure you go for a reputable farm so as to avoid getting unhealthy fingerlings. You know what it means to adopt a sickly child, don`t you? Don`t buy unhealthy fingerlings.

1. Think about a mentor and training: why this should be the first thing, I’m listing it last. Usually the difference between success and failure in any business is knowledge. That`s why we talk so much on this site about acquiring business knowledge. As for you now, you have two kinds of knowledge you must go for: business knowledge as a whole. Yes, you have to business-inclined to succeed in any given business.

You may check any of our business trainings and books bellow this post. Then, you`ll need specific knowledge about fish farming business. This kind of knowledge may be gotten through some good books and a mentor can be of help. A mentor has not to be any big man out there.
He/she can just be a friend who is experienced in this line of business.

If you cannot find a mentor who can be at your reach should you have any question, you may consider partnering with someone who has some experience or start your fish farm on a small scale.

This is important because you`ll need to learn the rope by personal experience.

Business viability of fish farming

Since business is about watching the market trend and taking advantages, it will be good to understand the commercial trend of this agribusiness (business of agriculture)

The world at large is becoming aware of the nutritional value of fish. When you notice the sensitization about how fish is the good source of omega_3, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2 (even though lay men may not know what all that means, they trust their medical practitioners and then eat more fish)

More and more people are abandoning red meat (because we`re told it`s bad) and embracing fish.

This is the reason why the world aquaculture (farming of aquatic organisms) remains a fast growing sector, yielding nearly 60 million metric tons (MT) with the estimated value of $119.4 billion (in 2010).

How can this figure make meaning to the Kenyan fish entrepreneurs?

We follow the world and we are big.

What I mean by that is this. If you notice a definite change in United States, United Kingdom or any other respected country of the world, be sure Kenyans are following.

I know some people will be expecting me to write the exact profit they can make in this business.

You can see some writers who are trying to do that but I won`t. The reason is because, profitability in business is subjective to many other factors, your location, selling price in your market, the competition in your market, season of the year, your business skills etc.

Just as the cost of starting a fish farm is different from place to place, so does the profit a fish farmer can make different.

Let me answer some other questions you may want to ask.

Where is the best fish farm location?

When I wrote about poultry farming in Kenya the other day, I talked about how poultry drops can cause great odour, which is the reason why you cannot have a poultry farm near home.

When it comes to aquatic farming however, we don`t have this problem. Your fish can be even in your bedroom (lol. Joking).

Your fish farm can be anywhere from your backyard to anywhere else, and there will be no problem.

However, as a business minded farmer, you will need to consider how near your farm is to the market (where you want to sell to).

It is always a good business decision to first investigate your market, understand the demand, price, your competitors and how you`ll outsmart them.

All these will influence your decision as per, where to situate your fish farm, the cost and the likely profit.

What other farm or business can go together with fish farming?

I know you may not be asking this question. I invented it in order to show you something. Yes, poultry farm is usually a good match for fish farm. Why? Because poultry drops could be a good food for your fish.

I`m not saying you should start the two together, now. You may just have to have a vision of that in your business plan.

How fast can I expect the return on investment in this business?

The good news is, Mr. and Miss Fish grow very fast.

Just like poultry chickens, fish grows very fast and can be sold within few months. How many months your fish needs to grow to maturity or market weight depends on the quality of the food you give them and how often, plus the fact that the rate of growth for different fish species are different.

Catfish and tilapia are different and will grow at different rate. So how many months can you expect your fish to grow enough for them to be ready to be sold? Six-nine months (depending on the above stated factors).

The price of a grown fish cannot be determined by anything you`ll read online (though I have read from some people who try to tell you that fish is sold for xxx price).

The cost of fish and any other product depends on your market location and market forces (demand and supply, festive season, government policy, etc.) and not predictable.

That`s why I encourage you to go out and make research about your intending market and costs… in your environment.

So, how long can it take to start making much money from fish farming?

Let`s hope everything goes fine, so let`s expect 18 months to two years.

By this I mean, your first fingerlings (juvenile fish you`re growing) should not be too much and you should use them as a training point.

Your second fingerlings should cover part of your starting capital why your third fingerlings should cover all of your starting capital and profit.

If this is correct, your fourth fingerlings should start your appropriate profit… this may be in the second year.

How much you can make is dependent on how much you input, I’m sure you understand this.

How risky is fish business?

Just as disease could break into poultry farm and destroy a whole farm, so can there be a major outbreak that could lead to great loss in a fish farm.

However, this is not a good reason to run away from fishery business. What is that business that is not risky anyway?

Other tips you should take note of

Take care of your water. Water probably is the most important thing to a fish, even more than food. Fish lives and sustains itself in water. Water is the source of its oxygen.

Fish lives in Ocean, river and streams. Now that we want to raise them, we have to provide a kind of “home away from home” for them.

Can you imagine yourself living where the oxygen is scarce or bad? That`s why fresh water is very important to the live of a fish.

You have to consider the availability of quality water where you`ll locate your fish farm.

Very often, you will find out that the quality of the water in your pound deteriorates.

This is very normal due to the feeds you`re giving your fish, even if they are of high quality.

It`s only a little percentage of the feeds that are actually converted into nutrients for your fish. Other wastes stimulates excessive phytoplankton growth.

As water stays around for few time, it becomes unnatural for your fish as the oxygen level of the water decreases.

If there is a flowing stream you directed to your farm, good. If not, the water has to be changed often.

Feed your fish with quality food. If you don`t, they won`t grow as required.

Be business minded. You must understand that you`re going into business, real one. Be business minded.

Read great business books.

Be a marketer and a strategist entrepreneur. Eventually your work is to sell. Business is about selling, not only your products, but your vision and business ideas.

If you`re not educated in the art of selling, you cannot succeed in any business.

Final words…

Go out.

Yes, go out and make your findings.

Get into your market. Make your findings. Ask questions.

Find some fish farmers. Ask them questions.

Get some feed sellers. Ask them question.

I wish you a lucrative fish farming business!

Dear friend,

After I have spent over a decade in the business world, I discovered 13 Secrets which school did not teach you about how to be rich

Because I want you to become a successful entrepreneur like me, I will reveal the 13 secrets to you. Click Here to download it for free.

Dear friend, you’re welcome to the Africa Business Classroom (ABC).

Make sure you read every word of this post and come back to download my 2 free business books HERE

In this tutorial, I will be sharing with you most important things you want to know about poultry farming in Kenya.

We have earlier written about Fish farming in Kenya and  Pig farming in Kenya .

And in fact, we have a special training program which allows potential farmers to come to our associates’ farms and come and learn, practically on the farms. We have such farms in more than 5 states of Nigeria, but unfortunately, non in Kenya as we write this.

However, you can get our video training or PDF from Kenya.

I’ll also give you our phone number, should you need to call us

Keep on reading…

Now, we’ll be discussing poultry farming in Kenya and some basic things to understand.

Poultry farming is majorly practiced in Kenya in small scale, mostly for domestic consumption. However, this tutorial will go beyond that. We`ll focus on how you can make money by raising chicken

The most common poultry bird in Kenya is chicken. Why we`ll focus much on chicken rearing in this tutorial, we`ll mention some other birds as well.

Please forgive me as I will assume that you do not know anything about poultry business before now, so I will start from the elementary.

Let`s start.

What is poultry farming?

Wikipedia defines poultry farming as raising of domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, for the purpose of farming meat or eggs for food.

Poultry farms are farms where birds (of different nature) are raised, either for personal consumption or for commercial purposes.

Now I want to make two assumptions.

First, you`re likely to be reading this tutorial with the intention to go into poultry farming as a business

Second, you`re likely to have interest much more in chicken than other birds, since Mr. and Miss chicken happen to be the most populous poultry birds.

On these two assumptions will this tutorial base.

What aspect of poultry farming will you love to start?

Poultry farming has very broad branches. Below you have those that are common in Kenya:

1. Broilers breeding.

This is for meat production. You`ll grow your broilers and sell them out to the consumers. Broilers grow so fast. Within 42-45 days, most broiler are grown and ready to be sold

.2. Layers breeding.

Here you are breeding your layer chickens with the major aim of having them laying eggs, though you`ll eventually sell them off after they are becoming weak and are no longer laying eggs as expected (this is usually after 68-70 weeks, about 1 year and 4 months )

3. Kenbro

Kenbro chickens can be reared both for eggs and meat. These chicken needed to be fed for six or more months before they will start laying eggs, though they don`t lay as much eggs as layers. Some of them that are reared for meat as well take much longer time to mature than broilers.

4. Poultry feed production.

People in this branch of poultry farming are producing poultry`s food and selling them to the poultry farmers

5. Hatchery

Here you have people who hatch chicken and other birds. This aspect of poultry business is very important (though not common) because the health of a bird is determined by the effectiveness of the hatchery process.

6. Poultry equipment manufacturing.

You guess it. These guys manufacture various equipment needed on the poultry farm.

7. Poultry consultant.

You will need experience in aforementioned niches before you can succeed as a consultant.

Yes, a giant company may be doing all of the above together, but if you`re just starting out, you definitely cannot, because of these two or three reasons;

• Taking all of the above together will require so much capital, but not just that.
• Starting all the above together will not work because, poultry, like any other business has a learning curve. For example, when you see a company doing all the above together, their story may look something like: Starting with layers for some months, going in to broilers, expanding to poultry feed production, later hatchery and since they might have spent many years by now, they can now venture into poultry consultancy. I`m sure you got that. Start somewhere. Learn and grow.
• Crisis management. Did you hear someone said poultry business is very risky? That`s not true. Every business is risky, not just poultry. Starting all the above together (even if you have enough capital) is not advisable because you are putting too many food in your mouth at a time.

Now that you have decided which of the above branches of poultry business you`ll love to go for, you may be wondering,

How much do I need to start a poultry farm?

Here I will be talking about the first two branches of poultry farms (Broilers and layers, since they are the most popular). Later on this website I will be talking about the cost of other branches.

In one hand, I would have loved to compare your intending poultry venture to giving birth to many children. You will have to feed them, cloth them and house them, plus give them proper medications… all these methodically.

And to be candid, if you`re not willing to take care of your chickens as you`ll your children, maybe you should not start a chicken farm at all.

I remember then when I was managing my step-brother`s poultry alongside with him. Really, they were our “children”.

The Cost of Starting a Poultry Farm

If you`re a beginner on this business, you definitely have interest in this question.

However, as much as I will love to give you a straight answer here, there is no straight answer.

Do you know?

What a farmer use to acquire land alone may be what another person will use to start and run a profitable poultry business. Land, which is one of the major expenses you will incur is vary in price. This depends on location.

What you have to do is to make your findings.

Every other instruments, feeds and medications you will need is vary too, depending on where you are living, so don`t let me make any futile guess that may confuse you.

This is what I want you to do. Make a list of everything you`ll need (from land to the littlest vaccine) and move out to investigate their prices in your vicinity.

I know you may not know what and what you will need (since I’ve assumed you don`t know anything about poultry farming business), so below I will make a list of what and what you will need.

• Land/space. This depends on your intending scale (I mean size of your farm). What if you have a large space at your backyard? It may be good to start with in a small scale.
• A waste disposal system. Where will you be disposing the waste from your farm?
• A clean source of water. I mean clean (I have told you that you`ll have to take care of your birds like children. Lol)
• Lighting and heat will be needed.
• Storage space for keeping your birds` foods, vaccines and eggs.
• Those things you see them putting chicken`s food on.
• Where they drink from.
• Nests
• Perches
• Egg trays or crates
• Vaccines and food which could be your major expenses
• Honestly, I might have missed a few things here but when you visit the retailers who deal in these equipment you`ll be reminded.

What else should we discuss? Housing your children (ho forgive me, chicken)?

The cost of feeding your chicken.

On the long run, feeding your chickens will be the major area where most of your investment will go. I think it will be nice if you can have the idea of how much your chicken will eat.

Averagely a layer chick (little chicken) will consume 9-10 pounds for it first 10 weeks

An average broiler chick may consume 8-9 pounds for it first 6 weeks

Poultry Housing Systems

Just as we humans live in various kinds of houses, so are the animals and our chickens. And just as you will want to be careful about how and where you shelter your little children, believe me, chicks and chickens need special attention and care.

Let me share with you a few options you have while considering the housing system you will go for.

1. Free range system. This is commonly seen around you. Usually people buy chicks and allow them to roam about. Some people care a little to feed them while some do not. This obviously is not your option is you`re planning to go into the commercial poultry farming.
2. Saw dust system. Yes, that`s not the name they call it in the academic world, but since my aim here is to communicate to people and let them understand me, I have to use simplest words possible. Here you will have your birds in a room where you will fill the floor with saw dust. This dust must be changed often or else the odour will be too bad.
3. Battery cage system. Here you house your birds inside cages. These cages are of different sizes and structures so as to cater for both the chicks (little chickens) and their older ones respectively. The space for feeding, eggs and dropping have been provided for in this structure. This housing system is the most preferred, but it could be a little expensive than the previous system.

What else will you love to know?

Poultry Farm Location

There are few factors that make location a very important issue to be considered when thinking about poultry business and here they are;

1. Your market. Since what you want to sell is chicken and egg, a location near city is usually good. Why not city itself?
2. Odour and noise. Who can live near a big poultry farm? In fact, it`s against the law in many places to have your bird`s farm near houses. Also consider:
3. Cost of land. As I have said earlier, the cost of land in some cities could be enough for starting and running a poultry farm in some nearby towns

Consider the above points to decide where you`ll locate your farm. Then, let`s talk about:

Your poultry workers

The numbers of staff you`ll need, like other things, depends largely on the size of your intending farm. You will need people to take care of feeding your birds, take care of droppings and wastes, pick eggs and of course market your products, be it eggs or chickens.

3 major risks you need to prepare yourself for in poultry business

I will love to prepare your mind for some risks (really if I have a better name I would have chosen it so has not to scare you away from poultry business).

If you are a beginner in this game, it will be good for you to be aware of the following threats and prepare yourself for them. Just as I have told you, life and business are full of risk and there is nothing anyone can do about that, except to prepare for them.

• Disease outbreak. This is the biggest one. Just as our little children are prone to disease, so do chicks and chickens. Just as we use different drugs for our children every day at different stages of their growth, so must we do with our chickens. Some precautionary measures are: make sure your farm environment is always very neat, don`t allow any dirty instrument to be kept around, don`t allow visitors in to your poultry farm and don`t just carry or touch your fowls anyhow except your hands have been sterilized very properly. Other issue to consider is…

• Poor chicken meals. There are various poultry feeds out there. Before you choose anyone for your birds, make sure you ask people who have been in this business around you before. Telling you a feed to go for here may not be proper since I don`t know where you are and the kinds of poultry feeds available in your area. If your chickens are feed with poor (low nutrients) feeds, it will affect their growth and productivity

• Employees and outsiders` theft. You need to be aware of this… many people are thieves. People steal, and even more in poultry farms (because fowls lay eggs all through the day). Not just eggs, when your farm becomes large, even outsiders find ways to penetrate into your poultry farm and steal. That is why it may not be advisable for you to start your poultry business and not be there yourself.

Now to another question, how profitable is the poultry business?

Selling your eggs and chickens

This is where the real deal is. If we discuss every other things and omit this, nothing is discussed, after all you`re in this game so as to make money.
Even before you start your poultry farm, make sure you investigate and know your market… where you`ll be selling your eggs and chickens. Make contact with some of the egg retailers. Find out the prices they are buying a crate of egg.

Do likewise with the chicken market. Understand the logistics and cost of transportation from your farm to the market you`ll be selling to and appropriately plan for every expenses.

I am sure you know, poultry business is not in any way different from other businesses out there. There are competition and there are strategies to win the market.

Just as I discussed in our tutorial about business strategies, the profitability of any business (whether poultry or not) is dependent on the ability of the business owner to make it profitable.

If you take your time to learn ins and outs of business world and apply the right strategies in your market place, you can make good money in the poultry farming business.

My last word:

Take action now. Get out and find out. You cannot possibly find out everything you need to know about poultry farming through the internet. The reason is because, places, time and situations are differ.

If anyone gives you every cost, expectations and details about this business online, most of those information will be incorrect because of the time and location differences.

Do you know? Even people in the same city are buying the same things at different prices.

Now, you get what I am saying.

You have a work to do. Get out in a weekend and meet with different kind of people. Start where it is easy…the poultry equipment and feeds sellers near to you.

Ask them as much questions as you can about their feeds, equipment and just any other things. They may even tell you about any poultry organization, association or regulation (which I can`t possibly know about your environment).

One more step. Get their mobile numbers and let them know you may call them whenever you have any other questions.

What I am about to tell you is very important…. Get a mentor, someone who has started poultry farm for at least two years. If you cannot get in your immediate environment because they see you as a competitor, try and travel to the next town.

There are so many good people out there who will lovingly accept to guild you, but if you cannot find any, don`t mind if you have to pay someone.

This is very important because someone who has done something before is having a lot of experience and whenever you encounter any problem you give him a call.

That is how I operate. I have mentors in every important area of my life and business. I have their mobile line with me and get connected with them on the social media. Whenever I have a question or get a problem, I simply reach out to anyone I think is having experience in that line.

With a call I get answer to my questions.

This way, you`ll grow faster.

Another advice I have for you is, don`t see your poultry farm as just a farm. Instead, see it as a business.

It is not a farm. It is a business and everything a business man does to make his business succeed is what you have to do.

Be serious, diligent and hardworking (I know you might not love to hear this, yet I must tell you).

Take proper account of your inflows and outflows, what goes out and what comes in, either money or materials.

And finally, be a student of business. I need to hammer this very well because I know the kind of people I am writing for… the Africans, a continent of people who love entertainment but hate knowledge.

Believe me or you don`t, your success as a business man/woman (in any business), depends on what you know. I know what I am saying. I have been in this game call business for some good years. People fall out and get broke simply because they don`t` understand business.

Every business man is a business student.

Business is a profession, just like law or medicine. There are so many things you need to know about marketing, human relationship, leadership, cash flow management, negotiation, business positioning and tactics.

If you would like to be part of the ABC comprehensive poultry farming training, you can get our video from Kenya

If you have any questions, call us on +2348100446044 or email us at; info@africabusinessclassroom.com

We love you!

Catfish farming is the act of growing one of the diverse group of ray-finned fish for commercial purpose in Nigeria. This involves building earthen, concrete or tarpaulin ponds, stocking the fingernails or juveniles and feeding the fish till market size.

Dear friend, you’re welcome to the Africa Business Classroom (ABC).

I’ll be sharing with you how you can start your own successful catfish farming business in Nigeria

Not just that, I’ll be telling you how you can visit our associate fish farm and go through our FREE catfish farming training on the farm.

The truth is, if you’re interested in agribusiness, you might have considered fish farming.

If you’re in Nigeria and considering fish farming, aquaculture of catfish (also known as catfish farming) might be your desired business.

In this tutorial, I will be explaining in detail many things you need to know and understand about catfish farming in Nigeria and how you can make money through this business.

If after reading this post you have any question about catfish farming in Nigeria, you can visit our office or give us a call (on the number I’ll give you soon).

You can as well visit one of our associates` catfish farms and learn how to start a profitable catfish farming in Nigeria.

The training on the farm is FREE.

We have more than 20 catfish farms in Nigeria and allow few people each month to visit our fish farms and learn on the farm, practical fish farming.

In fact, you can invite one of our experienced fish farmers to come and work with you on your intending project (so that you won’t make mistakes)

I’ll soon give you our phone numbers.

Continue reading …

Introduction to Catfish Farming

There are hundreds species of fishes among which are; sea trout, cyprinids, pangas catfish, silver seabream, common carp, catla, greasy grouper, bighead carp, Nile tilapia, grass carp, etc. but most of them are not suitable for fish farming in Nigeria.

The most commonly seen fisheries in Nigeria are raising catfish and tilapia, while the former (catfish) is the most common.

Why catfish farming?

Because catfish is easy to farm in warm climate like Africa, North America, Asia, etc. so popular is catfish business that Ronald Reagan (an ex-US president) established a National Catfish Day on June 25^th 1987, for Americans.

Catfish (also known as siluriformes) as well has different species, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, heteroclarias, clarias nigro-digitatus, clarias spp and over 300 other species. Catfish is considered a bottom-feeding fish that are found in freshwater and coastal region around the world.

Catfish does has a carnivorous diet since it feeds on insects, worms that are close to the river (or pond), along with amphibians such as frogs and newts and occasionally small reptiles and mammals.

Catfish farmer also need to be aware that some enemies as well prey on catfish, depending on its size and specie.

If you don`t know about these predators, your catfish farming business may end in woe.

Bigger fishes, bigger reptiles, mammals and even birds could kill and eat catfish… if situation accommodates their presence together.

Female catfish spawn (that is lay eggs) close to the surface of the water where they are safe from other bottom-dwelling aquatic animals.

Female catfish spawn between 10-90 eggs at a time and hatch in less than a week.

Catfish farming is a branch of pisciculture. It`s major form of aquaculture, farming of aquatic organisms like fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. (Forgive me please, if you hate all these academic terminologies).

What a catfish farmer does is to buy catfish juvenile, nurture them for good growth and sell them at profit

9 Steps to Starting Catfish Farming in Nigeria

1.  Decide what size your catfish farm will be.

I don`t know what your plan is or who you are, but I’m sure you do. For instance if you`re an employee trying to start a little business by the side or you`re having a little capital, you may decide to start a little backyard catfish farm by using tank as your pond.

If however you`re going into catfish farming as a real time business, you may have to consider having a concrete or earthen catfish pond.

The size of your intending catfish farm will determine your choice in this regard.

If you`re having a plan for a little catfish farm, you might have the necessary capital. If you`re planning for a big farm, you may read this… how to get capital.

There are advantages and disadvantages to starting with a big catfish farm. One major advantage is, you can produce cheaper fish because you can reduce the cost of feeds by buying in bulk or by even having a section of your company producing fish feeds.

The major disadvantage to starting big is that if you`re starting out you`re inexperienced. Starting big could be harmful

2. Understand catfish farming’s market in your area.

Since your objective is to make profit, you have to investigate the level of demand for the catfish in your area. If you`re planning of locating your catfish farm elsewhere other than your immediate environment, you have to go to your intending market and do some market research.

Try and find out the market price of an average catfish, the level of demand and (maybe) the time of the year catfish sell most. One very important thing to note is that, your fish needs a ready market.

Market women, hotels, restaurants are the target places you should look into.

Fish is not a durable product that can be stored. They can only be sold as fresh livestock.

If you`re not having a ready market, you may be forced to keep many grown up fishes in your pond. You will still be feeding them while they should have been sold.

This is reducing your profit. Worst, when the fishes in your pond grow to a point where the environment is too crowded for them, you may be expecting some disease outbreak.

So, make sure you research properly about the market in your environment before investing into the catfish production.

3. Get your likely cost of starting a catfish farming of your intending size.

If you do number 2 above very well, you must have understood your intending market. You must have understood how much you`re likely to sell xxx numbers of catfish.

You must have understood how high the demand for your product… catfish, is in your market.

The next thing to do is to try and know your cost.

Just as I wrote in our tutorial about fish farming in Nigeria, the cost of any business is very relative. It`s relative because the environments are different.

The amount you buy certain things (i.e. fish feed) in town X may not be what you`ll buy the same thing in town W.

Now that you want to get the cost of starting a catfish farming in Nigeria, especially your environment, you`ll have to familiarize yourself with the economic situations in your vicinity.

The best way to do this is to move out and ask questions.

You`ll want to get the cost of things you need to get started.

If you`re planning to start big, you may need a bole hole, a tank, a fish pond, dependable electricity to pump water and some staff to work with you.

You will as well have to get the price of the feeds you`ll need for your catfish.

The reason why I usually avoid talking about the cost or price on this website is because cost, price or profit are all relative.

Take for instance, the amount you`ll need to acquire an acre of land to build a fish pond in Lagos may be enough to take care of all your cost in certain part of Oyo state and the price you will sell an average catfish in Abuja may be what you`ll sell two in Kogi.

With this understanding, you`ll see that it doesn`t make a lot of sense to conclude that xxx naira is what you`ll need to start a catfish farming business and xxx naira is what you`ll make.

The best (I think), is to advise you to go out and investigate both your cost and your likely profit.

How much can a concrete pond be built in your environment? How much can you get a bole hole done?

How much can you get a tank to store water? Then, how much can you get 100, 500 or 1000 catfish juveniles?

Now if you are confused in anyway and need a comprehensive guild on all these, you can decide to visit one of our associates` catfish farms near you to see things yourself, ask questions and pass through our practical catfish farming training.

Or you can order for our catfish training video that will show and teach you all you need to start a successful catfish business in Nigeria.

You can even visit our associate’s fish farm near you for FREE Practical training on the farm

Click Here to see our nearest catfish farm to you.

In fact, our experienced fish farmer could work directly with you on you catfish farm.

Click Here to invite our experienced fish farmers

4. Know who your competitors are.

I cannot forget reading a book about war, called The Art of War by Sun Tzu, a war strategist. The author said, if you understand your enemy and yourself, you`ll win all battles.

I have said it before that business is a war. Business is about winning market share. Are there some fisheries in your market before? Most likely they are.

How are they doing? How much of the market demand are they satisfying? Where in your market is yet to be served? Is there any way you could attract more fish retailers to your farm?

Could your have your farm where the cost of labour is reduced so as to sell at competitive price in your market? Could you produce your catfish feeds yourself so as to be able to sell at a competitive price?

All these factors are what you`ll need to consider before venturing into catfish farming in Nigeria. If you don`t, you may fail.

5. Don’t build your catfish pond yourself, if you don’t know how to.

The catfish pond should be built according to the standard requires to ensure that your fish grow well. Consult some nearby catfish farmers who have ponds for advice.

Even if every other thing is alright, a bad pond can kill your profit.

(We have step-by-step photographs on how to build your catfish pond inside our catfish video and book training. You can get it here)

6. Acquire knowledge, learn and seek a mentor.

If you`re like most Africans, you probably hate to read. Africans hate knowledge, and that`s the major reason why many of us are poor. I don`t want to preach too much here but let me use this instance to explain what I mean.

I`m presently competing in a market. I have taken my time to research my major competitors and discovered they`re two (others can easily be overthrown).

Since they`ve been in this business 5-6 years ahead of me, you can assume that it will take me eternity to win them.

You`re wrong.

They are Africans.

After some findings about them I found out that they lack some vital business skills. Though I will have to work hard, but in matter of twelve months, I should pull them off… simply by knowing what they don`t know.

To say that Knowledge is power is an understatement.

Business knowledge can be the difference between someone who makes #50,000 per month and another person who makes #500,000 per month.

Business is a war, I’ve said that before.

The weapon we`re using is knowledge. If I have some deep knowledge about catfish breeding and farming, marketing, negotiation, leadership etc. and you want to compete with me, having no business knowledge, I will kill you in the market place.

It`s compulsory you educate yourself in the art of business.

Read very good business books (you may  click here), ask people questions, find a mentor if you can or you`ll employ someone who is experienced and make him your partner

7. Take care of your feeds and water for your catfish.

Catfish is known as freshwater animal. Poor quality water alone can kill your catfish farming business. The best sources of water are borehole and river. Rain water and tap water from treated source is not good for your fish.

You`ll also need to check to be sure that your water is not acidic. Acidic water is bad for fish. To check this, you`ll need to buy a PH meter, read your water and see the acid level.

Also about the feeds. Your fish must be well feed. Your feeds should contain proper nutrients like lysine, arginine and methionine. Some farmers use local meals to feed their catfish.

This idea may be good provided those meals contain the required nutrients your fish need. You have to remember to increase your fish feeds as they grow, or else, you`ll underfeed them.

8. Keep records for every area of your catfish business

Generally speaking, record keeping is an integral part of every business. There is no exception here.

Keep perfect records of your cost, expenses and the number of fish in certain pond. As a matter of rule, record keeps you aware about your progress and success.

9. Watch out for catfish diseases.

We human beings get sick, so do animals. Just as you`ll want to take a diligent care of your little child, so must you take care of your animals in aquaculture business.

Fish is a very delicate animal, just like chickens. You have to watch out for symptoms of diseases.

When you observe symptoms like inactivity, loss of colour, frayed fins, bloated body, cloud eyes, open sores, red streaks throughout body, difficult breathing, reddening or inflammation of skin etc., you can suspect bacterial infections.

Fungal infections (often secondary to another type of illness) could reveal symptoms such as: scratching, erratic swimming, darting, etc.

Parasitic infections could reveal symptoms such as: loss of appetite, visible spots or worms, rapid breathing, scratching, inactivity, excess mucus or film on body, etc.

All these possible diseases require that a catfish farmer pays attention to details and takes care of his fishes as his children (Lol)

Disease is your single biggest enemy that stands against the success of your catfish farming business because disease outbreak could lead to loss of a whole catfish farm.

Make sure you spend some time in a catfish farm nearer to you or wherever you have a guidance or mentor.

Ask questions, so many questions and get the phone number of someone you can call to ask more questions as you`ll continue learning how to breed catfish properly.

PS; This post could be downloaded as PDF ( Catfish Farming in Nigeria PDF )

My last words…

It`s always better to walk slowly when you don`t know the road very well.

Everyone going into business wants to make money… fast… yet, there is a learning curve.

I visited a friend of mine sometimes ago and saw his little poultry which contained about 10 chickens.

While discussing, he told me he was using them to learn how chicken behave and grow, what challenges must be dealt with etc.

That man is very wise.

I really wish you best as you`ll be going into catfish farming in Nigeria

And you see, we are doing a little favour to few people by allowing them to visit one of our associates` fish farms in Nigeria for  FREE Practical training on the farm

When you get to our farm, you’ll be able to learn, practical, one-on-one what it means to start, run and succeed in the catfish farming business in Nigeria.

We have more than 20 associates` catfish farms in Nigeria and you`re allowed to visit one that is near to you.

Who knows maybe one of our associates` farms is just behind you.

You can also get our company’s phone numbers and speak with us to see how we can work together with you.

Click here for detail.

Our practical training on the farm is FREE

Click here to join today

Pig farming business is the act of rearing piglets or weaners till maturity for commercial purpose.This involves getting the right piglets, vaccines and vaccination and the management of a piggery in Nigeria.

Constructing pig pens, taking care of the farrow and boar and managing the period of gestation are all very essential.

Today, we’ll be sharing with you how to start a profitable pig farming in Nigeria.

Not just that, I’ll be showing you how you can visit one of our associates’ pig farms (near you) and go through our FREE practical pig farming training.

In fact, you can invite our experienced pig farmers to work with you on your piggery project (so that you won’t make mistakes that could lead to lose of your investment)

I will also give you our phone company’s numbers, so you can call, if you have any questions.

Continue reading…

You see, as more and more Nigerians are becoming aware of the importance of becoming a business owner, more and more people are paying attention into agriculture and agribusiness, so there are more people interested in pig farming in Nigeria than ever before.

On this website, we have discussed how you can start poultry farming and how to start snail farming.

You can as well find our tutorial about fish farming here.

This tutorial will have three sections.

In section one, I’ll introduce you to the world of pigs and piggery

Section two will analyze step by step; what you have to do to start a successful pig farming business.

This second section will be about the most complete guide to commercial pig farming in Nigeria you can see on the internet.

I will round off with some piggery terms and advice in the third section.

I’ll give you our company’s phone number and how you can get our Free practical training on the pig farm.

Let’s Get Started…

Introduction to Pig Farming in Nigeria;

What is pig farming?

Pig farming is raising and breeding of domestic pigs. It’s a branch of animal husbandry.

Pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the suidae family of even-toed ungulates.

Pigs include the domestic pig and its ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) along with other species; related creatures outside the genus include babirusa and the warthog.

Pig is a native of Eurasian and African continent (yes, our continent)

The juvenile pig (child-pig) is known as piglets.

A place where pigs are raised is known as piggery or pig pen.

A normal pig will have a big head with a long snout which is strengthened by a special prenasal bone and by a disk of cartilage at the tip.

This snout is what pig use to dig into the soil to find food and is a very acute sense organ.

Pig is very popular as there are around 1 billion pig around the world at any given time.

(Now you can see how popular pig farming is, even in Nigeria)

The biggest pig farm in Nigeria (I think in the whole of West Africa) is in Oke Aro, Ogun State.

Pigs are raised primarily for food (e.g. pork, bacon, gammon) and sometimes for their skin.

This is not to say that pig can be reared everywhere.

Pig farming is a taboo in some places i.e. Northern Nigeria, because of their religious belief against pigs, so you may not consider marketing your pigs in the northern Nigeria.

Don’t forget you can come to our associates’ pig farm for practical training (on the pig farm).

After you finish this post, scroll back and Click Here to see how you can visit one of our associates’ farms and go through our Free practical training on the pig farm or use our experienced pig farmers to work with you.

Different Pig Breeds / Species

There are hundreds species of pig which include American Yorkshire, Aksai Black pied, Angeln Saddleback, Beijing Black, Bangur, Bisaro, Berkshire, wild boar, bearded pigs, and warty pigs.

These species are more common in certain geographical locations than others.

In Nigeria, we basically have local breed, foreign breed and cross-breed.

Local pig breed are those breed of Nigeria origin while white breeds are those breed from foreign countries.

The cross-breed are those pig’s breed gotten after a foreign male pig mate with a local female pig or vice versa.

How Lucrative is Pig Farming in Nigeria?

Our company has received so many calls from people who asked, “Is pig business profitable in Nigeria?”

Other people asked even more specific question; “How profitable is piggery business in Nigeria?”

Unfortunately, there’s no straight answers to the above questions.

I know you may be disappointed, especially if you’ve read posts from other blogs, websites or Nairaland where different people give different figures.

Some people tell you, “Hey, pig farming is the most lucrative business in Nigeria”

Other people even go as far as stating figures, “If you can invest #1,000,000 in the pig production, you’ll have Return On Investment of #10M”

If you believe these people, you’re deceived.

The truth of the matter is that pig/pork production is a business (and a very serious one for that matter).

As it’s in every business, the rate of failure is higher than the rate of success. The reason is because most people are not trained to be entrepreneurs.

They simply wake up one day after they are afraid of the retirement saga and think they should start a pig business.

Most at times, these people never get any entrepreneurship training, have an experienced pig farmer as mentor or spend time to undergo a practical pig farming training.

Failure for such people is as certain as light in the day.

Back to the question of the pig farming profitability.

The truth is, anyone who gives you profitability figures on the internet is either ignorant of the pig industry or a fraudster.

The reason is because profit in any business is a factor of so many things.

The reason of the year, your geographical location, your ability to many cost, your knowledge or experience on the pig business etc.

That’s the reason why you’ll see 10 people in the same business, one of them has become a millionaire, another is struggling to pay his business bills and 8 others have failed.

Another reason why it’s foolish for anyone to write “If you invest one million naira in pig business, you’ll make three millions after 2 years” on the internet is because I don’t know when you’ll be reading these words I’m writing.

Some people will be reading this post 5 years after I’ve published it.

What if I’ve stated numbers and figures? With the economy always changing and cost of things fluctuating, what happens?

But, is pig farming profitable in Nigeria?

Yes, if done with every seriousness, willingness, determination and focus.

Cost of Starting a Pig Farm in Nigeria

Another many beginner want to ask is, “How much do I need to start my pork production business in Nigeria?”

Unlike the first question (about how profitable is pig business), the question about the cost of starting a pig farm has a better answer.

First, you have to decide maybe you’re starting a small scale pig farm or a big commercial pig business.

This decision will certainly influence your planning and cost.

If you’re starting a backyard piggery, that may not require you to build a complex piggery or pig pen and you can manage every other expenses along the line.

However if you’re starting a commercial size pig/pork production, you sure need some plots of land for the pig farm.

While I assure you that the cost of starting a pig business is easier to predict than the profitability, that doesn’t mean that you can get it on the internet.

Why You May Not Get the Pig Farming Estimate Cost Online

So many people don’t understand how the internet works so they rely on it for everything.

You think about it.

Some of the information you’re consuming about pig business on the internet was published 5-7 years ago.

So many people will take this information (including cost analyses) as gospel truth, not knowing that it was only true last 7 years.

For example, I read a blog post where a man wrote that a piglet is sold for #3,000.

While this may be true when he wrote the blog post, as at the time of writing these words, it’s misleading.

So, what do I advise you do, if you seriously need to know the cost of starting a pig farm in Nigeria?

Very simple!

Meet a practicing pig farmer and speak with him.

Since he’s a player in the pig industry, he can easily give you information that is up-to-date and current.

If you’re not able to locate any pig farmer in your area, you can contact our company and our experienced pig farmer can help you out with cost analyses that’s current and up-to-date.

We have two of our associates’ pig farmers at the Oke-Aro Pig Farm Estate, Ogun State, Nigeria and in other part of the country

(If you really want to make huge money from the pig business, attend our free practical, one-on-one, on-the-farm pig farming training in any of our associates` farm near to you or get the video of the training.

You can even use our experienced pig farmers to help you set-up your own pig farming business, professionally. Click here)

Pig Price in Nigeria

Without doubt every beginner pig farmer would like to know how pigs are being sold and for what price.

The answer is simple.

Pigs are sold in KG (kilograms). Let’s say you have a grown up, castrated pig in your pig farm that you wish to sell.

The pig buyer will know how much such pig worth by weighing it on the scale.

Let’s say your pig weigh 45KG, the price for it is 45 x the market price of a KG as at the moment.

As at the time of writing this post, the price of a kilogram of pork/pig is around #450-500.

That may not be the price as at the time you’re reading this post (so you need to find out)

How Do You Find Pig Buyers in Nigeria?

Pig rearing for a beginner could be both adventurous and worrisome. Among many questions is, how do I find buyers for my pigs?

What I advise you do (even before your pig grow up) is to familiarize yourself with a nearby major market.

Meet with the market women who are selling pork meant and ask them questions as per where they are getting their pork and what if you want to sell to them.

The best strategy to use here is to first buy pork from these women as this will allow the to be opened and friendly to your request.

This should be one of the major strategy in your pig business marketing plan

Let’s move to the second section of this post…

How to Start a Profitable Pig Farming in Nigeria

Pig rearing could be confusing for a beginner. However, if we can take you through a simple, step-by-step guide, it could be simpler for you;

1. Determine the size of you intending piggery
2. Research pig market in your state
3. Hire an experienced pig farmer to build your pen
4. Get healthy piglets
5. Understand pig vaccines and vaccinations
6. Understand pigs’ diseases and cure
7. Understand pigs’ feed
8. Start small
9. Get practical pig farming training.

1. Determine the size of your intending pig farming business.

   Just like every other thing, the planned size of your pig farm will determine every other decision, the pig pen (housing), the feeding, the labour, even the target market.For instance If your plan is to have a little pig farm, you may want to use somewhere at your backyard as their pen (house).

   This will not be possible with a large scale piggery business in mind.

2. Research pig market in your area.

   So many dumb people in the business world work hard to create products, then, start looking around for the market (buyers).

   That’s a big error.

   I know you’re not dumb.

   The smartest thing a business minded person will do is to understand the market and market forces … even before venturing into any business.

   Let me explain.

   As you’re planning to start a pig farming business in Nigeria (or elsewhere in Africa), you have to consider the marketing part of your intending business

   Your first assignment is to answer the question; who and who around here will buy my pigs?

   Do they buy them alive or as pork?

   What are the forces that determine the market demand?

   Do people eat more pork at certain time?

   Are there taboo or religious beliefs against pork around here?

   Who are the market players now? Is there available space in your market no one is serving yet?

   All of this is called marketing research.

   It`s a basic step top every entrepreneurial trip… and must never be neglected, even in the pig business.

3. Build your piggery (pig house)

   When talking about fish farming, I shared with you that the quality of water a fish is living in determines the quality of its health.

   That’s no where peculiar to fish. It’s about chicken, pigs and even you, as human being.

   Pig`s pen is an area you have to pay attention to.

   Your pen has to be spacious and as neat as possible (in order to avoid insects and diseases).

   To start on a medium scale commercially level, you may consider half or a plot of land.

   Pigs will natural love their pen (house) to be divided into four areas:

   Where they eat, where they sleep/lie (pigs love to sleep near each other), where they urinate/defecate (pigs naturally choose this themselves) and the remainder part of the pen is used to travel from one point to another, to exercise and entertain themselves.

   Pigs love to congregate together, so if half a plot accommodates certain number of pigs (depending on their sizes), don’t expect that a plot of land will naturally accommodate multiply by two of what half plot accommodates… it will accommodate more… because they love to lie and be around each other, so the more pigs, the less space… to an extent.

   The best practice when constructing your pigs’ pen is to make it square, not rectangular.

   Though rectangular pig pen can be used, it’s not going to give you the best in your pigs` management.

   It’s as well advisable to let the floor of your pen drain very well and not be clay or poorly draining floor.

   This is because pigs have pointy hooves that bear much weight.

   A clay soil may not cause much problem in the dry environment, but can quickly make life tough for your pigs when the environment is wet because it can cause injury, feed wastage and can contribute to illness.

   Should you consider concrete pens?

   Concrete pens could be used for pig farming in Nigeria.

   Concrete pens are good because they alleviate the problem of mud/footing that can be caused by the clay or web floor, but also present their own problems… they hold heat during hot months and could result in joint injuries and illness.

   Finally, when constructing pens in your piggery, you have to assume they are all big… market size NOW.

   This is important because, when the pen is too big, more pigs can be added to the pen, but what happens when the pigs in your farm are too much than the pen?

   How easy it is to break down your pen and reconstruct another one?

   What some pig farmers will do is to keep their pigs in such an unconducive environment, so making them sickly and dying… affecting the overall pig farm success.

   To get a detailed, practical training, on the farm, you can;

   Attend our Free practical, one-on-one, on-the-farm pig farming training in any of our associates` farm near to you.

   You can even use our experienced pig farmers to help you set-up your own pig farming business, professionally. Click here)

4. Get healthy piglets (pig-children) for your pig farm

   What will you consider before adopting a child?

   Her health, her history, etc.

   When planning to get your piglets, make sure you find out the best sources around you.

   Your piglet must be healthy and a few history about their parents may be of good help.

   Just like human, piglets are likely to take some of the traits of their parents, sickness, the number of children they bear, etc.

   You also need to be sure that they have been given the appropriate vaccines.

5. Understand Pigs’ Vaccines & Vaccination

   Just as it’s in humans and other animal husbandry, piglets and pigs are administered with vaccines, either to protect them from diseases or to heal them of them.

   Pig Vaccines contain antigens from viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, or parasites. They are given to pigs, usually by injection, to stimulate an immune response which will protect the pigs against later natural infection with the organism from which the vaccine was derived. Most stimulate both a humoral response and a cell-mediated response.

   Some of the diseases that can be eradicated by vaccines and medication are;

   1. • Mange
      • Atrophic rhinitis
      • Lice
      • Aujeszky’s disease (pseudorabies)
      • PRRS
      • Enzootic pneumonia
      • Swine dysentery
      • TGE

   The Management of Vaccines

   To effectively manage pig’s vaccines, the following steps have to be taken;

   • Check the expiry date.
   • Store in a fridge.
   • Monitor the temperature daily with a max/min thermometer. Freezing destroys vaccines.
   • Don’t overstock the fridge.
   • Don’t store food in the fridge.
   • Follow the instructions.
   • Ideally use a fresh needle for each pig but change at least every 5 pigs.
   • Do not mix vaccines or medicines.
   • Dispose needles in a sharps box.
   • Clean out syringes immediately after use.
   • Only use vaccines licensed in your country.
   • Clean bottle tops before and after use.

   If you’re a beginner, just rearing pigs for the first time, you’ll sure need the help of an experienced pig farmer or a veterinary doctor to help you in the area of vaccines and vaccination.

   As time goes on, you too will master everything you need to understand about pig’s vaccine and vaccination.

6. Understand pig diseases and the solution.

   Animals get sick, just as human do. The difference is that, you may not easily know when the pigs in your farm are getting sick, except you pay attention.

   Since every sickness starts with symptom, you will be good to have an experience person near you… such as a veterinary doctor.

   You will be able to contact him/her at any time and say, “my pigs are looking this way”, “my pigs are not eating”, “my pigs` skin is too reddish” etc.

   Aside from sickness, you will need the service of a veterinary to give appropriate vaccine whenever necessary.

   Below are some of the diseases piglets, hog and pigs may encounter:

   • Mulberry Heart Disease (vitamin E deficiency). Though vitamin E is widespread in feed stuffs including vegetable oil, cereals and green plants, the usual problem with Mulberry Heart Disease occurs when farmers use some polyunsaturated fats diets which destroys the vitamins. Vitamin E is very important for optimum function and metabolism of the nervous, muscular, circulatory and immune system.
   • Abscesses: this is the pockets of pus that contain large numbers of bacteria which enter the body through damage to the skin.
   • The Bacterium Actinobacillus Pleuropneumoniae (APP). Never mind if your teeth cannot pronounce any of these terms very well, your veterinary doctor understand better.

   The truth is, there are tens and more diseases that can attack the herd (a group of pigs) or individual pig and you as a Nigerian pig farmer has to be prepared.

   Mycotoxicosis, Agalactia, Navel Bleeding, Endometritis, Retroviruses, Erysipelas, Anaemia, Anthrax, Arthritis (joint infections), Oedema Disease, Atrophic Rhinitis (AR), Osteoporosis, Biotin Deficiency, Penis Bleeding, Brucellosis, Cystic Ovaries, Rabies, Peritonitis, Botulism, Pale pig syndrome, Blue Eye Disease, and probably 100 more.

   I never intend to disturb you with all these jargons. I never intend to scare you away from pig farming either.

   The truth is, many of the diseases above may just be what we should have called “headache” or “stomachache”.

   Don’t be wary of their big names. Your veterinary doctor (or even an experienced pig farmer) will not s

   ee them as a threat.

7. Understand pig feed; how pigs eat in the pig farm.

   

   When it comes to how much human beings eat, it’s vary, depending on many factors… your age, your sex, the nature of your work or whether you exercise or not.

   So it is with your piglets and pigs.

   Some people suggest feeding your pigs twice in a day. While this may be a good standard, other factors have to be considered.

   The age of your pig or piglet, the breed (specie) of your pig, amount of grass they have access to and other wild food (such as acorns) available, weather, how warm their bedding is and how much exercise they are getting.

   Now, you can see how the rate and quantity of food pigs eat can vary.

   But as a matter of supposition, piglets can be expected to eat 1lb of pig pellets per day for every month of their age, 2lb of pig pellets at two months, 3 lb. of pellets at three months, 4lb at four months,

   Then after four months, 4lb a day should be sufficient.

   Young pigs need a diet high in amino acids so that they can grow proportionately more muscle tissue, so there should be more lysine in feed for younger pigs.

   After three months, young pigs could be put into adult food that will have lower levels of protein.

   Too much lysine in the diet can be detrimental to growth in heavier female pigs.

   Aside from concentrates (the feed you buy), you can offer your pigs other foodstuffs like grass, fruit, vegetable and other human food they eat (please, be sure they eat certain food before you`ll give them, so as not to hinder their growth… especially when they are very young)

8.  Start small.

   Rearing pigs requires learning curves and every beginner needs to take his/her time.

   As most things, walking slowly is the best strategy on the road you’re nor familiar with. If you’ve never rear pigs before, be sure there are many things you don’t know about pigs and their ways of life, pigs’ diseases & sicknesses and their growth rate.

   “Start small” maybe the best advice I need to give you… especially when you don’t know anything about pig farming and you don’t have a partner who does or an experienced consultant who can hold you by the hand.

   (If you ant to start a large scale pig farm and need our experienced farmers to guide you, you can contact us HERE)

9. Get practical pig farming training. 

   Starting a pig farm in Nigeria, as a beginner requires that you learn how the industry works, including how to make your pig farm successful.

   My advise for you is to do all you can to get a practical training (on a pig farm) or employ an experienced pig farmer.

   Don’t ever try to go to a battle-field without weapons.

   If you know any piggery around you, visit there and seek to have an experienced pig farmer train you or act as your pig farming consultant.

   If you cannot find such in your environment, you can contact us.

   We’ll give you the opportunity to visit our associate pig farm for a free practical pig rearing training.

Pig Farming Equipment

When it comes to equipment, there are not many things you have to worry about in the piggery business.

After your pig pen is ready, water and feeding trucks are ready, you may need few other things like bows to serve pig feed, a cool place to keep your vaccines etc.

Some pig farming terminologies you may want to know

Since you’re a beginner in the pig business, you may soon be near some people who have been in this business for a long time. They may not be aware of your newness in this line.

I think you should be aware of the following pig farming terminologies:

• Pig, hog or swine: the species as a whole
• Piglet or Shoat: unweaned young pig
• Boar or hog: male pig of breeding age
• Barrow: castrated male pig before puberty
• Stag: male pig, castrated later in life
• Gilt: young female not yet mated, or not yet farrowed
• Sow: breeding female
• Pork: the meat of the pig
• Herd: a group of pigs or all the pigs on a farm
• Farrowing: when pigs are giving birth
• Sty: a small pig-house
• Pig-shed: a larger pig-house

PS; you can get this article as PDF (pig-farming-in-nigeria PDF)Pig-Farming-in-Nigeria-&Secrets-of-Making-Million PDF

My final words:

Now, you will need to visit a nearby pig farm and see for yourself how all these work out in the practical world.

Visit those piggeries and ask questions about the pig feed, sickness etc.

If you truly wish to start your own pig farming in Nigeria, you will find it interesting to be in one of our associates pig farms that`s near to you.

There’s nothing as good as PRACTICAL experience.

You will see, touch, learn and ask questions. You can as well get the video of the training.

In fact, you can avoid all the mistakes and headaches by inviting our experienced pig farmers to come to you and help you to set-up your own pig farm, professionally

We’ll also give you our  phone number (should you have questions)

Click Here Now!  to get our Free practical training on the farm.

Thanks.